Cambodia Tropical Wildlife Conservation & Adventure Project

Cambodia's threatened tropical forests harbour many of the world's most endangered species, including the Asian Elephant, Tiger, Sun Bear, Dhole and Gibbon and Frontier volunteers are pioneering exploration of some of these uncharted tropical forests. On the Frontier-Cambodia Tropical Forest Project you will trek through dense tropical jungles searching for signs of elusive and enigmatic wildlife and discover more about their fascinating ecology and pristine habitats.

You'll live and work with other enthusiastic and energetic volunteers in a remote rainforest camp, in a community forest that is both wild and beautiful, where you'll carry out crucial surveys that will be used to protect endangered species and threatened habitats. This is a little-explored area and there is great potential for many new species to be discovered. You'll also help local Khmer communities engage in the conservation process.

Cambodia, the sacred kingdom, is a country truly in touch with its ancient roots. This is the home of the once mighty Angkor empire, which ruled over a vast area of land from its centre in Angkor Wat. One glance at the region's spectacular environment and you'll see why they chose Cambodia for their base. Terraced rice paddies ring gently rolling hills, lush tropical forests are alive with the calls of hornbills and gibbons, and mile upon mile of fabulous untouched beaches skirt the coast. Cambodia is a serene, welcoming land and immediately you'll feel at home in this remarkable country.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• Make lifelong friendships
• Become an intrepid explorer in this wondrous corner of the world
• Discover a wealth of exotic & rare wildlife

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

• This project requires a high level of fitness and stamina, conditions can be arduous and trekking strenuous

Location	Oddar Meanchey Province
Activities	Biodiversity surveys Jungle trekking Spotting signs & tracks of wildlife Research Working alongside local communities
Transport	Pick-up from the airport Transport to the project site
Accommodation	Forest camp

 

Before you go	Pre-departure support Travel & medical advice & documentation Equipment advice Discounted medical kit Free Frontier T-shirt UK residential briefing weekend including food, accommodation and training FREE for 10 week+ volunteers (£80 per person for those participating for less that 10 weeks)
In-country	Food Accommodation Airport pick-up Local orientation and training Internal ground transfers & in-transit accommodation In-country emergency support 24-hour international HQ backup

What Next? Apply Now!

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?

Wildlife conservation in Cambodia is in its infancy, but an increasing human population and demands of a growing economy threaten the country's natural resources. The resulting environmental problems urgently need tackling. Cambodia's majestic rivers, wetlands and jungle landscapes are a last stronghold for endangered wildlife. While the number of national parks and protected areas is slowly growing, illegal logging and poaching is rife and management plans must be developed to aid protection.

Many of Cambodia's remaining forests are remote and mostly unexplored, large, relatively intact, and often have linking corridors. This makes the potential for conservation of native fauna, particularly wide-ranging species like the Asian elephant, tiger, hornbills, vulture and wild cattle, that much more achievable. The Cambodian government is reliant on organisations such as Frontier and its volunteers to help explore and discover the most threatened areas and to assist in the design of conservation programmes for them.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

At the requests of the Ministry of Environment, you will be working on a Biodiversity Survey & Training Project in a community forest in the province of Oddar Meanchey. The project will be implemented by the Frontier-Cambodia Tropical Forest Research Programme, a collaboration between the Society for Environmental Exploration (UK) and the Department for Nature Conservation and Protection, Ministry of Environment (Royal Kingdom of Cambodia).

You will discover a wealth of species, some of which may be new to science or extinct elsewhere. Trekking into unexplored forests and jungles, you will survey endangered mammals and other fauna, searching for the tracks and signs of elusive species like the sun bear, Asian golden cat and tiger, and discovering a wealth of other wildlife. You might also get involved in other ongoing work, such as investigating the impacts of human disturbance on habitats and wildlife or interviewing local villagers to find out more about their livelihoods and their reliance on natural resources.

Through immersion in local cultures and activities with local villages, you will discover the rich cultural heritage of the Angkor empire with its blend of Buddhist and Hindu spiritualism epitomised by extraordinary and unmatched temple complexes and exquisite sculptures.

You'll find your team to be a fun, energetic and enthusiastic group of young people†who all share a passion for travelling in developing countries, exploring different cultures and protecting endangered wildlife. Your staff will be young, friendly individuals who are highly experienced in their field and many have also volunteered on Frontier projects earlier in their career. They will be with you in the field at all times.

If this is your first time doing conservation in the field, don't worry! It will only take a short while for you to feel totally at home on camp and confident with methods and techniques used in the science programme. Although the work is intense and challenging you'll find that living in such a beautiful and inaccessible environment alongside friends who share your passion for conservation will compensate for any hardships and will provide you with a rewarding adventure, a wealth of memories and an experience of a lifetime!

What Next? Apply Now!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?

You'll fly into Siem Reap where you will be welcomed by a friendly Frontier staff member and escorted to your transit accommodation for a couple of days of acclimatisation, briefing and induction before heading off on the journey to your field camp in Oddar Meanchey Province. The Frontier field camp moves location within the area depending on the time of year and on the priorities of the wildlife conservation programme.

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

During the project you'll live in a remote tropical forest camp alongside other Frontier volunteers. We aim to provide you with a unique and memorable living experience. The camp is usually constructed by volunteers working alongside forest guides and consists of several simple tents constructed with locally sourced building materials and tarpaulins. Your hammocks will be strung up in a line using a well-constructed support frame. The camp is sited in a natural clearing and is designed as a temporary structure which will leave no long-term damage or impact on the natural environment. Camp life is very simple, unsophisticated and fun. You'll be staying in communal accommodation, your washing facilities will be a local river, pool, waterfall or maybe a bucket. You will be cooking over an open campfire: so get ready to embrace a basic, unencumbered lifestyle! From time to time you may have to stop over-night at a more distant 'satellite camp' if the research programme takes you more than a day's journey from base camp. Here you may sleep in a hammock swung under a tarpaulin. As well as completing the scientific surveys and helping with the entry of research data, you will help with daily camp duties, taking turns to cook, dispose of rubbish, maintain the equipment, collect firewood and purify water.

WHAT WILL I BE EATING?

Camp food is basic but nutritious and consists largely of rice, vegetables, beans and noodles, all of which are purchased locally in order to help support the local economy. Luxuries such as chocolate, peanut butter and drinking chocolate are only available from Phnom Penh, so make sure you stock up before heading to the field. Part of your role on camp will be to help with the cooking, so get your cookbooks out now and start practicing! Also, with luck you'll be invited to local celebrations, holidays and festivals - a great way to meet locals and experience local culture.

HOW WILL I GET TO WORK?

Your journey to camp may involve a variety of transport modes from truck to bus, from motor to boat - whatever it takes to reach these far-flung locations. This journey is an adventure in itself and offers a great way to experience this fascinating country!

What Next? Apply Now!

FISHING CAT SPOTTED ON NIGHT WALK  | 10 May 2012
Update from the Cambodian forest:  We have been busy carrying out surveys on many species ar...

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CAMP IS ABSOLUTELY BUZZING  | 25 Apr 2012
It has been a busy few weeks out in the Cambodian forest and after a few storms the sun is beatin...

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Gaur, Mouse Deer and Muntjack's - Cambodia is busy!  | 25 Jan 2012
I can't believe we have already been in the Cambodian forest for 3 weeks! In the first f...

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Learning about wildlife in stunning Cambodia  | 1 Nov 2011
  My time in the Cambodian jungle has been an outstanding experience. I have learnt many...

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Cambodia roundup - from leopards to frogs to 'Go Fish' in the forest  | 15 Sep 2011
So the end of the phase is upon us and what a phase its been.  From finding rare clouded leo...

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Candid Camera Traps in Cambodia  | 7 Sep 2011
The fantastic Frontier field staff and volunteers have just returned from the forest after an inc...

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Cambodia Camera Trappings  | 16 Aug 2011
It’s been a snap happy week on camp, with some amazing camera trap photos including a gaur ...

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Cambodia - 1 month in...  | 1 Aug 2011
So, we are 4 weeks in and it’s the last Sunday we will get to spend with Sophie as she is l...

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I'm a Frontier Cambodia volunteer - KEEP ME IN HERE!  | 13 Jul 2011
After an eventful tractor journey through the forest we arrived at our final destination in the m...

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Exciting trappings in CBF!  | 8 Jun 2011
Its week ten already and we can’t believe it – the time has just flown by!  Afte...

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1 to 10 next >

SPIDERS: MORE THAN SMALL CRAWLING CREATURES  | 14 May 2012
Whilst spiders rank among the most important groups of animals, we barley recognize their importa...

CAMBODIA SUSPENDS LAND GRANTS  | 11 May 2012
  Photo courtesy of Forest2Market Environmental campaigner Chut Wutty, a p...

EXTENDED RANGE OF NARROW MOUTHED FROG DISCOVERED  | 9 May 2012
  Fantastic news just in- our Cambodia Tropical Wildlife and Adventure Project has just ...

European Commission announce new action plan for biodiversity  | 10 Jan 2012
  The European Commission has recently announced a new action plan in an effort to meet ...

Flooding in Cambodia  | 20 Oct 2011
The Frontier team in Cambodia are drying out in Siem Reap after flooding in the North of the country.

Piranha's bark worse than its bite  | 18 Oct 2011
Scientists have recently discovered that the widely feared piranha, use sounds to communicate with one another in an attempt to intimidate rivals.

Cambodia Camera trap Update – Say cheese!  | 8 Sep 2011
Check out what animals have been posing for the camera this month

New findings use synthesised bear bile compound to help treat heart conditions  | 8 Aug 2011
Recent findings show that a chemical compound similar to that found in bear bile can be used to treat heart abnormalities in humans.

Prowlin' around  | 14 Jul 2011
Find out what has been prowling around the Cambodian forest this week!

Salt lick city  | 16 Jun 2011
Over the past few months our volunteers in Cambodia have been getting amazing results from camera traps in the forest.

Surprising Civet Sighting  | 26 May 2011
Spotting civets in Cambodia!

British animals contributing to rainforest destruction in South East Asia  | 23 May 2011
More than ten percent of the world’s palm kernel meal, a by-product of palm oil production, is being consumed by livestock and pets in Britain.

Slow Loris sighting in Cambodia!  | 27 Apr 2011
Slow Loris spotted on Cambodia Frontier project! Once again we have received some fantastic ...

Resin tapping in Cambodia  | 27 Apr 2011
The start of the next exciting phase in our Cambodian project is well and truly underway. Last ph...

The future of forest communities  | 7 Apr 2011
The future of forest communities in Cambodia are under increasing pressures from illegal logging and subsequent forest degradation.

Rare species a commonplace thing in Cambodia  | 10 Mar 2011
It is only in recent years that conservation efforts have begun to increase in Cambodia. Recent work in the region has provided insights into the wealth of biodiversity in this beautiful country.

Signs of Sun Bears discovered  | 3 Feb 2011
The Frontier Cambodia Forest Team have started seeing evidence of bears on their most recent forest treks.

The Case of the Clouded leopard  | 20 Dec 2010
The rare and elusive Bornean Clouded Leopard has reportedly declined drastically in Brunei due to pressures hunting and deforestation.

Indicative Insects  | 9 Dec 2010
Dragonfly and butterfly surveys in Cambodia may help determine the state of the ecosystem's health.

Science Updates from Cambodia  | 11 Oct 2010
Latest news from the Cambodia forest camp.

Plants in Peril  | 28 Sep 2010
When you think about conservation, you might consider of the plight of the tiger, or the dwindling panda populations. Plants are generally not on the hot list of flagship species.

Wild Creatures Caught on Camera  | 2 Sep 2010
The Frontier Cambodia Forest team have been gathering a growing database of biodiversity in the study area and have discovered evidence of several endangered mammals in the area.

What Prowls These New Flooded Forests?  | 1 Jul 2010
Like a band of explorers, our dedicated team of volunteers embarked on a new challenge, moving camp to the unique Tonle Sap Flooded Forests and to Kampong Leng in central Cambodia.

Caught in a Trap  | 17 Jun 2010
Here at Frontier we like to bring you news of interesting and insightful developments on our worldwide conservation projects

Disfigured Discoveries  | 16 Apr 2010
Our news this week follows the research exploits of our team in Botum Sakor National Park, situated towards the southwest of Cambodia in the Thai border province Kaoh Kong

More civet shenanigans in Cambodia!  | 2 Feb 2010
The Cambodia forest team thought they had got to the bottom of the mystery of their missing pineapples two weeks ago

Pining for Civets!  | 15 Jan 2010
Interesting findings this week come from the Frontier Cambodia team, where they have made an unusual friend in the Botum Sakor forest camp who is particularly fond of pineapples

The Return of the Hog Nosed Badger  | 23 Oct 2009
Recently the Cambodia Forest (CBF) research team was both surprised and overjoyed at finding a hog badger in Botum Sakor National Park

Cow Discovery in Cambodia  | 25 Aug 2009
The Frontier Cambodia project keeps throwing up surprises, and recently we’ve had the biggest one yet

Finding fishing cats in Cambodia  | 16 Apr 2009
Frontier is initiating a new project to record the status and distribution of the highly endangered fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)

Frontier's Dhole Goal  | 9 Apr 2009
Frontier is located in one of the last remaining suitable habitat areas for dhole (Asiatic wild dogs)

Stunning discoveries in Cambodia  | 17 Mar 2009
Working deep in the forests of Botum Sakor National Park the Frontier-Cambodia research team has recently documented two species of the highest conservation importance

Ground-breaking gibbon research with Frontier  | 8 Feb 2009
Frontier is planning to begin a major gibbon monitoring programme in and around the Cardamom mountains of western Cambodia, in order to reverse the decline of the pileated gibbon

Protecting Hornbills in Cambodia  | 27 Jan 2009
Frontier field staff in Cambodia are attempting to designate a new Important Bird Area on the strength of conservation concerns for the many stunning species in Botum Sakor National Park

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Frontier-Cambodia camp is fun and in your spare time you'll have opportunities to swim in rivers, play football against the unbeatable local side or try out river volleyball. Alternatively you may enjoy a traditional Saturday night themed camp party, play chess, poker or backgammon or join in a camp quiz night. After a long and arduous day of trekking through difficult terrain you may prefer to spend your evenings relaxing on camp; swaying in your hammock, or chatting about the day's events and discoveries with your new friends under a starry tropical sky.