Step 1
Step 3
Step 2
You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
Step 2
Step 3
Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
Step 4
%20%20%C2%A9%20APE%20Malaysia%20Mark%20Louis%20Benedict%20_JPG.jpg)
Want to volunteer as a Sun Bear Assistant in Borneo? Our Travel Roots Sun Bear Assistant program places you inside one of Southeast Asia’s most respected wildlife conservation centres, working directly with the smallest—and one of the most threatened—bear species in the world.
Located in Sepilok, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, this program is a hands-on, behind-the-scenes experience where you’ll assist the animal keepers with everything from cleaning and feeding, to enrichment and observation.
You’ll be part of daily routines that support both the physical and psychological wellbeing of the rescued bears—many of whom have suffered from the illegal pet trade, deforestation, or poaching.
You’ll also contribute to research, education, and small-scale construction to improve the bears’ habitat. This is a meaningful opportunity for anyone passionate about wildlife, rainforest ecosystems, or ethical travel.
Key Activities:
Clean enclosures and prepare daily meals
Design and deliver environmental enrichment to stimulate natural bear behaviours
Observe bear behaviour and support rehabilitation efforts
Assist in habitat maintenance and jungle foraging tasks (e.g. termite nest collection)
Support educational outreach through the visitor centre, displays, and school programs
Contribute to bear welfare reports, blogs, and activity records
Engage in light construction and habitat improvement projects
Project Site:
Your work will be based at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sepilok, beside the famous orangutan rehabilitation sanctuary. Expect rainforest surrounds, hard work, and moments of deep connection with this incredible species.By volunteering on our Sun Bear Assistant program, you will:
Work hands-on with the world’s smallest and least known bear species
Support the daily care and rehabilitation of rescued sun bears
Gain real field experience in animal welfare, enrichment, and behavioural observation
Learn from dedicated conservation professionals in a respected wildlife centre
Assist with education efforts that raise public awareness of sun bear conservation
Experience the incredible biodiversity of Borneo’s tropical rainforest
Be part of a global mission to protect endangered species and restore their habitats
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Sun Bear Assistant
Your days at the sun bear conservation centre are a powerful blend of physical activity, meaningful connection, and wildlife learning. You'll work alongside passionate keepers and fellow volunteers in a routine designed to benefit the bears and grow your own conservation experience.
6:30 AM – Morning Briefing & Preparation
Start the day early with a team meeting. Assignments for the day are discussed—ranging from enclosure cleaning to enrichment design.7:00 AM – Cleaning & Food Prep
Begin with one of the most important jobs: enclosure cleaning and preparing the morning feed. Bears rely on a clean and safe space to stay healthy and relaxed.9:00 AM – Feeding Time
Distribute food and water to the bears, often hiding treats to encourage natural foraging behaviours.10:30 AM – Maintenance & Facility Tasks
Assist with basic upkeep such as weeding, enclosure repairs, or checking electric fences—important work to ensure the safety of both bears and staff.12:00 PM – Lunch Break & Reflection
Take a well-deserved break and enjoy lunch on-site. Use this time to relax, journal your observations, or chat with staff about bear behaviour.1:00 PM – Enrichment Projects or Bear Observation
This is where your creativity shines—building puzzle feeders, rope nests, or jungle gym components to simulate the wild. You may also trek into the rainforest to collect termite nests or observe how the bears respond to your enrichment.3:00 PM – Educational Support or Light Construction
Support the visitor centre, help update the bear behaviour log, or assist in small-scale construction projects for the centre’s facilities.5:00 PM – Wrap-Up & Free Time
After a full day, relax back at your accommodation, surrounded by the sounds of the forest. Evenings are free to rest, explore Sepilok, or reflect on the impact you’re making.Your Impact as a Volunteer
Your role as a Sun Bear Assistant goes far beyond daily tasks—you become a vital part of a mission to protect one of the world’s most overlooked and endangered species.
Every enclosure you clean, enrichment toy you build, and behavioural log you complete directly supports the health and wellbeing of bears recovering from trauma, captivity, and loss of habitat. You’re helping these animals regain their strength, develop natural instincts, and—where possible—prepare for life back in the wild.
You’ll also contribute to the centre’s educational outreach, inspiring others to care about sun bears and the threats they face. Whether it’s engaging with visitors or sharing stories through blog posts and bear records, your presence amplifies the centre’s global voice.
Beyond the bears, your impact ripples into the forest, the staff, and your fellow volunteers. You’ll gain conservation skills, cultural perspective, and a renewed sense of purpose—knowing your time mattered, your hands helped, and your heart expanded.
Your Home in Sepilok, Borneo
During your time volunteering, you’ll stay in clean, comfortable accommodation near the conservation centre—surrounded by rainforest and within easy reach of the sun bears you’re here to support.
Where You’ll Stay
Volunteers are hosted in shared twin or triple rooms in a guesthouse or volunteer lodge located close to the BSBCC. Each room is basic but well-maintained, with fans or air conditioning depending on availability. The setting is peaceful and remote, offering a true nature immersion.
Facilities Include:
Private bathroom with western-style toilets
Mosquito nets and clean bedding
Common lounge area for socialising
Kitchenette or shared dining area (meals may be provided or self-catered)
Wi-Fi available in common areas (signal may be limited due to jungle location)
Laundry access available onsite or nearby
Lifestyle
Evenings are quiet and relaxed—perfect for journaling, reading, or spotting wildlife from the porch. With nearby access to Sepilok’s rainforest trails, the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, and the Rainforest Discovery Centre, your free time will be just as inspiring as your workdays.
History
Our partners at the sun bear conservation centre in Sepilok, Sabah, Malaysia, founded the world’s first and only dedicated sanctuary for this endangered species. Since 2008, they’ve focused on two core missions: to rehabilitate rescued sun bears and to raise international awareness of their plight.
The centre is currently home to over 40 rescued sun bears, many of which arrived orphaned or kept illegally as pets. These bears often arrive malnourished, traumatised, and without the natural skills they need to survive. With access to the largest forest enclosures of any sun bear facility, each bear is given a new lease on life—supported by expert keepers, researchers, and rehabilitation specialists.
Mission & Vision
This centre’s work rests on five pillars:
Welfare
Rehabilitation
Education
Research
Eco-tourism.
Their goal is to honour the innate right of every sun bear to live freely in its natural forest habitat.
Through innovative enrichment activities, detailed behavioural monitoring, and one-of-a-kind forest release preparation, the centre gives each bear the best possible chance of returning to the wild. For those who cannot be released due to lasting trauma, the centre offers a permanent, safe, and respectful home.
Education and public engagement are at the heart of everything they do—from teaching school groups to hosting international volunteers, all in the name of protecting one of Southeast Asia’s most threatened and least understood species.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Sun Bear Assistant Program Fees (EUR)
Duration Total Fee (€) Daily Equivalent
14 Days €1,095 €78/day
28 Days €2,060 €74/day
Payment Terms
Fees are due 30 days before your start date.
If applying within 30 days of arrival, full payment is due within 48 hours of confirmation.
What’s Included
✔️ Shared accommodation near the centre
✔️ All meals or access to kitchen for self-catering
✔️ Training and supervision by experienced keepers
✔️ Enrichment workshops and behavioural study opportunities
✔️ Welcome pack full of necessary and useful info
✔️ Domestic airport transfers
✔️ Expert guidance from conservation field professionals
✔️ Full support before, during, and after your program
✔️ Certificate of completion
✔️ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✔️ And so much more...Your Investment in Wildlife, Conservation & Your Own Growth
Volunteering at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is more than just an adventure—it’s a commitment to protecting one of the world’s most threatened bear species. Your program fee helps fund daily care, forest enclosure maintenance, educational outreach, and the overall rehabilitation journey of each rescued bear.
This investment isn’t only for the bears—it’s for you, too. You’ll gain hands-on skills in animal husbandry, enrichment design, and ethical conservation—transferable experiences that can shape your career and worldview.
Where You’ll Be – In the Heart of Sepilok, Borneo
Your volunteer journey begins in Sepilok, a lush, forested region in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Nestled within the Sepilok-Kabili Forest Reserve, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is surrounded by one of the most biologically rich and ecologically significant rainforests in the world.
Sepilok is also home to the famous Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Rainforest Discovery Centre, making it a global hub for conservation. While remote, the area is easily accessed via a 30-minute drive from Sandakan, a major town with an airport offering regular connections to Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur.
You’ll be living and working in a true jungle setting, where the air hums with the sounds of gibbons, hornbills, and cicadas. The surrounding forest is home to clouded leopards, civets, sun bears, and countless bird, insect, and reptile species.
Borneo – A Conservation Powerhouse
Borneo is one of the planet’s great biodiversity hotspots. Its ancient rainforests—some over 130 million years old—are home to species found nowhere else on Earth. Sadly, this incredible ecosystem faces ongoing threats from deforestation, palm oil expansion, and poaching.
Volunteering in Borneo gives you the rare chance to witness this wild beauty firsthand and be part of the urgent effort to protect it. Beyond the forest, you’ll discover a rich mix of cultures—from indigenous tribes and Malay Muslims to Chinese, Indian, and expat communities.
The climate is tropical year-round—expect hot, humid days with afternoon rain showers that keep the jungle alive and green. It’s wild, warm, and wonderfully alive—an unforgettable backdrop for a meaningful volunteer experience.
When your not looking after the sunbears you'll have the chance to contribute to wildlife conservation but also the opportunity to explore the rich biodiversity and culture of Sabah during your free time. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, the surrounding area provides a variety of activities to enhance your experience.
Explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
Located nearby, the RDC features a 363-meter canopy walkway, offering panoramic views of the rainforest and opportunities to spot diverse bird species. It's an excellent place to learn about Borneo's unique flora and fauna.
Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
This renowned centre allows you to observe orangutans in their natural habitat and learn about ongoing rehabilitation efforts. It's a unique chance to see these primates up close and understand the challenges they face.
Relax in Nature
After a fulfilling day of volunteering, unwind by taking a leisurely walk through the surrounding forest trails, enjoying the serene environment, or simply relaxing at your accommodation while listening to the sounds of the jungle.
Cultural Experiences in Sandakan
A short drive away, the town of Sandakan offers cultural attractions, local markets, and a variety of dining options. Explore historical sites, sample traditional Malaysian cuisine, or shop for souvenirs to remember your trip.
Wildlife Watching
Embark on guided river cruises along the Kinabatangan River to spot wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, and a myriad of bird species in their natural habitats.
These activities provide a well-rounded experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in both the conservation efforts and the rich cultural tapestry of Borneo.
