Primate 🦧🐾
Primate species montage: Miguelrangeljr and contributing photographers / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Explore primate volunteer opportunities with sanctuaries, rescue and rehabilitation centres, wildlife organisations and other projects caring for or protecting monkeys, apes and other non-human primates.
Volunteer activities can include preparing food, cleaning and maintaining enclosures, enrichment, observation, general maintenance, education and other practical support. Roles vary considerably between organisations and species.
What are primates? 🦧🐒
Primates are a diverse group of mammals that includes monkeys, apes, lemurs, lorises and tarsiers. Projects working with primates can therefore involve very different species, habitats and care requirements. Before applying, check which animals live at the centre and what your role would involve.
Volunteering with primates
Ask how the organisation manages animal welfare, rehabilitation, veterinary care and human contact. Close interaction with primates should have a clear care or professional purpose rather than being offered mainly for entertainment, selfies or tourist encounters.
Primates can also transmit infections to people and receive infections from humans. Check the project’s health requirements, vaccinations, protective equipment, hygiene procedures and rules about animal handling before travelling.
How to use this page
Check the publication date and confirm the current species, volunteer tasks, training, supervision, weekly hours, minimum stay, accommodation, meals and any programme fees or contributions directly with the organisation. Older listings may have changed their volunteer programmes or animal-care procedures.
Publication on Voluntouring.org does not constitute verification or endorsement of an organisation, sanctuary or animal welfare practice. For more guidance, read the guide to volunteering with monkeys and other primates.
Related opportunities: Monkey sanctuaries · Animal sanctuaries · Animal welfare · Wildlife
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Browse primate volunteer opportunities 🦧🐒
Browse the projects below for volunteering with primates in sanctuaries, rescue centres and other wildlife organisations. Confirm current activities and animal-contact policies directly with each organisation before applying.
Do you coordinate a primate rescue, rehabilitation, sanctuary or conservation project looking for volunteers? You can submit your opportunity to Voluntouring.org for editorial review.
