Photo from
CritterImages.com

No, that’s not my picture to the right; the Volunteer Logue received a heads up about a press release received at Bootsnall regarding an opportunity for six paying volunteers to assist in the release of four gibbons (actually a family of gibbons) in Thailand. The monkeys were rescued from “illegal tourist practices” as well as owners who could not take care of them properly; their release is scheduled over a period of weeks to allow them to adjust to their new environment. During this period, volunteers will participate in observation and monitoring. Gibbons apparently need to find mates and start a family – with at least two offspring – before they are released, so as you can imagine this takes some time (they’re monkeys, not rabbits!). The last similar release was in 2004 and apparently the next one is not expected to take place until 2009.

Starfish Ventures is the British-owned company arranging this opportunity with a Thai government organization and is quite direct about pointing out that volunteers may start in March, assisting with general rehabilitation and conservation education, but only those who are there in June will be involved in the actual release of the gibbon family. No price range is given for this particular project, but the other programs on offer include accommodation and ongoing support and cost from about £1000 for one month.