Working with monkeys and primates abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working with primates and monkeys abroad like?

• You can work with primates at animal shelters, wildlife conservation sanctuaries, nature reserves and orphanages. And you might not even have to go far as there are, unfortunately, also animal shelters with rescued monkeys (from the circus, or peoples homes) in parts of the world where no monkeys live. 
• Observing and monitoring monkeys in the wild or in shelters.
• Caring for monkeys in a shelter: cleaning cages and indoor and outdoor enclosures, providing food and clean drinking water.
• Maintaining the monkeys' habitat. For example, by refurbishing the shelter grounds or replanting the monkeys' natural habitat.
• Helping to educate and raise awareness about the importance of protecting various monkey species, both among children and adults
• Possibly also caring for orphaned baby monkeys, which need to be fed regularly, and newborn monkeys even throughout the night
• In general, direct contact with the monkeys will be limited or non-existent. Where direct contact does occur, you will receive strict instructions. It is advisable to follow all instructions from the experienced carers as closely as possible. If you have the appropriate (veterinary) training or a job as a monkey carer, this will be different and direct contact will often be involved.
• Some sanctuaries also need help with things like social media or website maintenance which can be done from a distance.

Can you volunteer or intern with wild primates?

• There are many possibilities to volunteer or intern with wild primates. There are several research programs throughout the world for which biology/veterinary students can usually apply. They are often internships of several months/a year since you might have to get to know and recognise the wild group of primates. 
• There are also many volunteer programs throughout the regions in which primates live. Activities range from rescue and rehabilitation to following monkeys in the wild for research purposes. 

What should you do if you are going to work with primates during your volunteer work, internship or study?

• Working with primates is cool, and a dream for many people who love animals. But it also comes with health, safety and ethical risks and it’s important to be aware of those. 
• Before you find a project, one important thing to keep in mind is to check whether the organisation is conservation/rehabilitation driven rather than tourist driven exploitation. Unfortunately in the wildlife world there are also people who use animals for making money through volunteers. 
• Another important thing when working with animals is to interact with them according to their natural behaviour. Avoid unnecessary interactions or interference and avoid hands-on interactions especially if the animals are going to be introduced. So avoid hugging and selfies. If the sanctuary allows for that, it’s generally not a good one. 
• If you are going to do an internship or volunteer work with monkeys, your direct contact with the monkeys will generally be limited or absent.
• Where there is direct contact, you will receive strict instructions and it is advisable to follow all instructions from the experienced caretakers as best as possible.
• If you have the right (veterinary) training or a job as a monkey caretaker, this will be different and there is often direct contact.
• Make sure to check with the organisation which vaccinations you might need. 

Where is the best place to work with primates?

If you want to work with monkeys or help care for them, you can go to:

• Bolivia: howler monkeys, spider monkeys, titi monkeys, black-headed squirrel monkeys
• Brazil: howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, marmosets, spider monkeys and tamarins
• Costa Rica: howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys
• Ecuador: howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, night monkeys, pinafores and titi monkeys
• Malawi: baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, mohol bush baby
• Indonesia: gibbons, langurs, macaques, orangutans and tarsiers (mini monkeys on Sulawesi)
• Cameroon: chimpanzees, gorillas, mandrills, mangabeys (saki monkeys)
• Madagascar: lemurs, sifakas, indris
• Malaysia: orangutans, gibbons, macaques, spider monkeys
• Tanzania: baboons, colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, vervet monkeys
• Thailand: gibbons, long-tailed macaques, spider monkeys
• South Africa: many projects with vervet monkeys, spider monkeys, baboons, lemurs and bush babies