History
Located in a key hotspot for wildlife trafficking, our partners centre was founded to disrupt the illegal trade of animals being smuggled from Indonesia to the Philippines, and on to other parts of Asia. Sulawesi's proximity to these trafficking routes made it a major consolidation point for endangered species from across the archipelago, including Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua.
To enable enforcement of wildlife protection laws, the centre was established as a vital facility where confiscated animals could be safely housed and rehabilitated. It has played a crucial role in major raids, including those targeting the bush meat trade and the use of protected species in cultural artifacts. In 2010, following a period of restructuring, the centre became part of the broader conservation-focused Masarang Foundation.
Mission & Vision
The mission is to combat the illegal wildlife trade and protect Indonesia’s exceptional biodiversity. By supporting enforcement actions, caring for rescued wildlife, and raising awareness, the centre helps safeguard critically endangered mammals and high-risk species such as hornbills, cockatoos, turtles, and reptiles.
With Sulawesi being home to many endemic species and under constant ecological pressure, the vision is to create a sustainable, long-term impact — preserving wildlife, restoring ecosystems, and educating future generations on the importance of conservation.
By volunteering on our Animal Keeper project in Sulawesi, you will:
Care for rescued wildlife in Sulawesi’s rich natural and cultural setting
Help protect iconic species and diverse ecosystems
Get hands-on with varied, meaningful daily tasks
Build transferable skills in animal care and gain real-world experience
Enjoy unique days from wildlife rescue to coral cleaning.
Explore local culture, nature, and adventure on your days off
To combat the illegal cross-border trade of wildlife from Indonesia to the Philippines and further into China, Taiwan, and Japan. Our focus is on disrupting trafficking routes that exploit Sulawesi as a strategic consolidation point for the smuggling of endangered species originating from Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and the eastern islands, particularly Papua. We are committed to protecting Indonesia’s rich biodiversity — including critically endangered mammals such as orangutans, sun bears, gibbons, tarsiers, lorises, and pangolins, as well as high-volume targets like cockatoos, hornbills, birds of paradise, turtles, and other reptiles — through coordinated enforcement, awareness, and regional collaboration.
No day is the same at Tasikoki however,The volunteers’ main duty is to ensure that the living environment and diet of the animals under our care mimics their lives in the wild, as much as possible. To that end, the volunteers’ routine is centred around the needs of the wildlife, and not the other way around.
Example Volunteer Routine
Volunteers work five days a week, with Wednesday and Saturdays off. Apart from the activities in the routine specified below, other weekly activites include: night feeding for nocturnal species, coral cleaning, seagrass harvesting and day trips to our associated conservation programmes in the region.
6am
Browsing & Bundling
Volunteers collect and bundle fresh leaves for our resident primate species
7.15am
Hand out morning browse and bundles
8am
Breakfast
9am
Team Birds, Primates or Bears
Volunteers work with wildlife keepers to enrich the diets and enclosures of our resident cockatoos, parrots, deer, endemic macaques or babirusa.
12pm
Lunch
1pm
Wildlife Enrichment
Volunteers put their creativity to good use creating food, sensory and and enclosure enrichments for the bears, birds and primates under our care.
3pm
Hand out afternoon bundles, browse and enrichment
3.30pm - 4.00pm
Group tidying of living area
End of work day (time to visit our private beach!)
Skilled Volunteers
Do you have special skills or experiences that you would like to contribute to Tasikoki? (for e.g. veterinary medicine, welding, fundraising, social media etc). Please let us know.
Your Home in Sulawesi
Volunteers stay in a shared, welcoming volunteer house located above the Education Centre—just steps from where the action happens.
Sleeping Arrangements
You'll be staying in single-sex dormitories, each equipped with bunk beds and fans to keep things cool and comfortable. A third room is used by local staff, who may occasionally share the dorm space. While there's no air-conditioning, a combination of wall and standing fans helps maintain a pleasant temperature.
What’s Provided
Fresh bed linens and towels
Mosquito nets
Access to laundry
Limited Wi-Fi
Fridge and dry goods storage
Feel free to bring any personal comforts or supplies to make your stay even more enjoyable.
Shared Living Space
The communal area is relaxed and social, with sofas, dining tables, a small library of multilingual books, and plenty of board games. It’s the perfect place to unwind and connect with fellow volunteers.
Meals & Nutrition
You’ll receive three nutritious, plant-based meals a day, lovingly prepared by our local Indonesian staff. In support of our conservation values, meals are vegetarian, with occasional servings of fish and eggs. Fresh fruit, drinking water, tea, and coffee are always available.
Meals are usually served in the volunteer house or the nearby guest house, with a large fridge for storing personal snacks or perishables. Everyone is responsible for washing up after themselves—part of living simply and sustainably together.
Sustainable Living
We take sustainability seriously. You'll find:
Separate bins for recyclable items and animal-safe materials
A compost system for food waste
Leftover fruit and peels go straight to the babirusa—nothing is wasted
Living here means being part of a low-impact, eco-conscious community where every effort contributes to a greener future.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Program Fee Schedule
Duration Fee (EUR) Daily Equivalent
2 weeks €550 €39/day
3 weeks €700 €33/day
4 weeks €875 €31/day
5 weeks €975 €28/day
6 weeks €1100 €26/day
7 weeks €1200 €24/day
8 weeks €1300 €23/day
9 weeks €1400 €22/day
10 weeks €1500 €21/day
11 weeks €1600 €21/day
12 weeks €1700 €20/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
Your program fees cover everything you need for a safe, immersive, and impactful experience:
✅ All accommodation in shared volunteer housing
✅ Three fresh, plant-based meals daily
✅ Airport pickup and drop-off (Manado International Airport)
✅ Welcome pack full of nesseccary and useful info
✅ Flexible start dates and free date changes
✅ Expert guidance and training from experienced field professionals
✅ All daily hands-on activities and enrichment projects
✅ Full support before, during, and after your program
✅ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✅ So much moreYour Investment in Wildlife, Conservation & Yourself
Volunteering at our wildlife rescue centre in Sulawesi isn’t just a trip—it’s an investment in your future, your passion for conservation, and a life-changing adventure that leaves a real impact.
Whether you’re building a career in environmental science, animal care, or simply seeking a meaningful journey that connects you to nature, this experience will stay with you forever.
Your program fees help directly support:
Rescue, care, and rehabilitation of endangered wildlife
Habitat restoration and enrichment programs
Local community education and conservation outreach
Employment and training for local Indonesian staff
Maintenance and development of ethical, sustainable rescue facilities
By joining us, you’re contributing to a future where wildlife can thrive—and becoming part of a global movement for change.