Cikananga Wildlife Center & Wanicare Foundation

Volunteer guide 2019

1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Cikananga Wildlife Center .......................................................................................................... 2
1.2 The Wanicare Foundation ............................................................................................................ 2
1.3 The volunteer program at Cikananga ........................................................................................... 2
2. Your time at the Cikananga Wildlife Center ........................................................................... 3
2.1 What kind of activities do I do? ................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Are there possibilities for internships at CWC? .......................................................................... 3
2.3 How can I apply? ......................................................................................................................... 3
2.4 What are the costs? ...................................................................................................................... 4
2.5 What do I need to arrange for health, insurance and traveling advise? ....................................... 4
2.6 What do I need to know about Cikananga and Indonesia? .......................................................... 4
2.7 Where do I sleep, eat and wash? .................................................................................................. 5
2.8 What kind of Legal requirements are there for traveling to Indonesia? ...................................... 5
2.9 How do I get to CWC?................................................................................................................. 6
2.10 What do I need to bring to Cikananga? ..................................................................................... 7
2.10 What do I need to bring for the first days? ................................................................................ 7
2.11 What other activities are possible in and around Cikananga? ................................................... 7
3. Volunteers at in CWC ............................................................................................................ 8
4. Contact ................................................................................................................................. 8

www.cikanangawildlifecenter.com
www.wanicare.com

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Introduction
In this guide we give you some backgrounds on the volunteer program at the Cikananga Wildlife
Center. There is information about daily practicalities, pricing, preparation, your arrival and contact
information. If you have questions after reading, please contact us.

Kind regards,
The Cikananga Wildlife Center Team

1.1 Cikananga Wildlife Center

Cikananga Wildlife Center (CWC) or Pusat Penyelamatan Satwa Cikananga (PPSC) is a non-
governmental and non-profit organisation for the conservation of Indonesian wildlife.
It includes among other projects:
- Cikananga Wild Animal Rescue Center
- Conservation Breeding Center (CCBC)
- Wildlife Learning Center

Cikananga Wildlife Center was established in 2001. Since then it has been dedicating its efforts to
the welfare and conservation of Indonesian wildlife and its habitat. It provides facilities and man-
power to rehabilitate confiscated wild animals, helps them regain their natural behavior lost during
captivation and tries to reintroduce them into their natural habitat. The center also provides a
permanent sanctuary for animals that cannot be released back into the wild. There are about 350
animals ranging from crocodiles to hornbills and bears to primates such as orang-utans and
gibbons. Mostly they come from the miserable illegal wildlife trade or have lost their habitat due to
deforestation. Most animals are (critically) endangered with extinction and are usually in a heavily
neglected state when they arrive in Cikananga and need medical care.

CWC aims to assist the government in rescuing and conserving Indonesian wildlife and teaching
public about the correct care of animals. In these activities CWC accommodates, rehabilitates, and
takes care of the confiscated animals from the community to release them back into the wild.

1.2 The Wanicare Foundation

The Wanicare Foundation is a Dutch Non-profit organization and was founded by Willemijn Eggen
in 2009 to support the Cikananga Wildlife Center. Next to the hands-on animal care, daily
management, medical advice and coordination for the volunteer program, the Wanicare
Foundation provides financial assistance for food, medicine, salaries for the animal keepers, the
construction of enclosures and release- and conservation projects. More on www.wanicare.com.

1.3 The volunteer program at Cikananga

The Cikananga Wildlife Center volunteer and internship program is open for everyone: Local and
international students and other individuals interested to experience and study Indonesian wildlife.
The programs bring valuable support to the Center and provide the participants with an
opportunity to experience the rescue and conservation of Indonesian wildlife. Participation is
possible all year round based on acceptance. Due to limited capacity we sometimes have to reject
applications.

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Your time at the Cikananga Wildlife Center
In Cikananga you can make a substantial effort to help endangered wildlife.

2.1 What kind of activities do I do?

Together with our Indonesian staff, you will be active in CWC for six days a week from 7 AM to 4 PM
including lunch break (11.30-13.00 PM). Main tasks you will be doing as a participant:

• Daily care of the animals (feeding preparation, cleaning the enclosures)

• Preparing enrichment
• Animal behaviour observation
• Teamwork, where all the staff and participants of the program will work on building
projects in the park
• Besides the regular activities, sometimes opportunities come along like
o Assisting with confiscations
o Monitor medical procedures
o Assist at the clinic

On your free days you can (for instance) undertake day trips to the local bat caves, waterfalls or go
to Sukabumi for shopping.

Please note: Before you start at CWC we will ask you to read our handbook that includes
information and the rules within CWC. Next to that we ask you to sign our volunteer contract that
on arrival that ensures you are aware of the rules at CWC. Please note that we reserve the right to
ask you to leave CWC when you don’t follow our rules or cause any troubles.

We will ask you before your departure, to answer our evaluation form (a report on the activities
you have performed and how you experienced your time in CWC). You will also be asked to present
your experience to help improve the Center.

Please note: You are not allowed to handle any of the animals or enter any of the facilities
without the supervision of our staff. We have a strict no-physical contact policy.

2.2 Are there possibilities for an internship at CWC?

Yes. For intermediate vocational education and bachelor level education we offer tutoring for
wildlife / nature / conservation and similar studies. We are an Aequor licensed learning institute
and many students have been attending this program as part of their internship. We also have
experience with helping Master students with assignments in and around CWC. If you are
interested, please contact us and let us know what your preferences are. Please know that there
are assignments listed on our website, also other assignments are possible if you want to study a
different field.

2.3 How can I apply?

• Send your application and curriculum vitae to the center by email (page 6). If we will
accept your application you will receive a registration form which has to be returned
• The minimum stay is one week
• The minimum age is 18-years old, and we do not make exceptions
• Payment for your stay at Cikananga has to be done in advance by bank transfer to the
Wanicare bank account. We will send you an invoice with the total amount for the
length of your stay.
o This money will immediately benefit the animals

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2.4 What are the costs?
We aim to keep fees low in order to make the program as accessible as possible for everyone: Fees
are based on the underlying costs plus a small increment that directly flows to expenses like
medicine, food, care taking and the construction of enclosures for the animals in the Center.

Our fees per person per week includes:

• Drinking water, coffee, tea

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation in dormitory (We provide pillows and blankets)
• Laundry service
• Transport to Sukabumi for shopping (once a week if there is capacity in the car)
• And, of course a very memorable experience

Pricing
Pricing Volunteers Euro €
1- 8 weeks 175 p/w
8+ weeks 150 p/w
Pricing Interns2
1- 4 weeks 135 p/w
4+ weeks 115 p/w

¹ For foreigners (non-Indonesian) we charge Euro

2
Interns fulfil a specific assignment that is related to the official curriculum of their university /
school next to the normal activities. A proposal for the assignment needs to be included in the
application.

• For Indonesian nationals we offer a fee starting at 1.000.000 Rp per week

• We offer returning volunteers a discount of 15%
• If you decide to leave the Center before the agreed date CWC or Wanicare will not
return a refund

2.5 What do I need to arrange for health, insurance and traveling advice?
• We can only advise you to seek for professional medical advice on vaccinations and
medicine before traveling to Cikananga
o At least you have to be vaccinated for Hepatitis A, B; Tetanus; Rabies and Typhus
(make a timely appointment, some vaccinations need a booster)
o You need to take an TBC (Tuberculosis) test (Mantoux) or X-ray of your lungs to
prove that you don't have TBC , because this disease can easily spread to the
animals. Our animals are all tested and TBC free!
o We ask you to send us a copy of your vaccination card and the result of the TBC
test before arrival!
o Please bring your own medicine. In Indonesia medication is not always widely
available as you might be used to at home. Also bring simple painkillers such as
Paracetemol , Ibuprofen and ORS (oral rehydration solution)
o Malaria is NOT present in the area around Cikananga
o Dengue is present everywhere in Indonesia
o For Dutch Volunteers/Interns please check Vaccinatiecentrum.nl as they are
completely informed and cheaper than for example the GGD

• We can only advise you to seek for professional advice on insurances

o Make sure you have the appropriate health and travel insurances
o Cikananga Wildlife Center cannot be held liable for any accidents, injury’s, illness
or broken/stolen belongings during or after your stay at CWC
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2.6 What do I need to know about Cikananga and Indonesia?
• Cikananga is a developing village of 50 inhabitants, 800m up in the hills of West-Java
• The climate is tropical with day temperatures ranging from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius,
there is a fair possibility of afternoon rain on a daily basis, especially in the raining
season (November – March). The weather can be unpredictable and rapidly change.
• There is a small supermarket in a 30 min walk down the mountain
• There are no ATM’s, restaurants or other shops nearby
• For more substantial shopping you can submit your shopping list twice a week
• There is English, Bahasa Indonesia and Dutch speaking management around
• Most of Indonesian staff has a basic proficiency of the English language
• Indonesians generally have different working manors. Everything is done in a more
relaxed way, please anticipate and try to adapt
• We can provide SIM-cards (telephone and H+ 3 and 4 G internet) within 3 days of arrival.
If you decide to buy an Indonesian SIM-card in advance, make sure it’s Indosat as other
providers don’t cover the Cikananga area.

2.7 Where do I sleep, eat and wash?

• All facilities are located in the Cikananga Wildlife Center
• There are 2 (Male and Female) wooden dormitories with bunk-beds
• Toilets and showers are Indonesian style (Mandi cold water buckets)
• Our cantina is a big wooden viewing deck with a beautiful view on the rice fields, with
card-games, hammocks, dart-games etc.
• Local food (Indonesian-Soenda) is served for lunch and dinner
o Vegetarian and Vegan meals can be arranged
o Breakfast you have to arrange yourself
• We provide laundry service and daily cleaning of the facilities
• You can find pictures of the facilities on the website.

2.8 What kind of Legal requirements are there for traveling to Indonesia?
• Always check for the latest requirements yourself, the information below is indicative
• In most countries there are (online) visa bureaus that handle all your visa issues without
going to the embassy yourself.
• A passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry is required
• A return ticket that corresponds with your visa is required
• A visa to be able to stay in Indonesia as a foreigner is required:

• All Volunteers and Interns need a Social Cultural Visa (Social Budaya) for volunteering or
an internship at CWC.
• In some countries you only need a Sponsor letter from us to apply for that Visa, but in
most European countries you need an Approval letter, made by the head of Immigration
Office in Jakarta, for applying at the Indonesian Embassy in your home country.
• We can help you getting these documents. The procedure how to get these documents,
will be explained in an email.
• The administration costs for making these documents will be 15 euro and will be put
on your invoice.

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2.9 How do I get to CWC?
The CWC is located about 32 km south of Sukabumi in the hills of the province of West-Java.

Please note: The travel time is very indicative, depending on the traffic. If your flight arrives late,
the best is to spend one night in Jakarta or in Bogor.

Option1 (Public transport)

Pricing as listed below is indicative. Always enough bring cash.

• There is a Damri bus from Jakarta Airport directly to Sukabimi and vice versa (±100.000 Rp)

Schedule Jakarta Airport to Sukabumi; 8 AM, 10 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM and 7 PM.

Schedule Sukabumi to Jakarta ; 12AM, 02AM, 04 AM, 06 AM, 08 AM.

• You can also very easily travel by Damri airport bus directly from the airport to the city of
Bogor which is about 60 km (~2 hours). ( ±70.000Rp)
• From Bogor you can take a train to Sukabumi ( 2.5. hrs). Only 3 trains travel to Sukabumi per
day. ( ±50.000Rp – executive class) The earliest leave at 8 AM.

o On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday the CWC staff will go to Sukabumi for food for
the animals. On these days you only have to pay the gasoline 150.000 Rp for the car.
Make sure you are in Sukabumi at 12PM .
o On other days the fee is 350.000 Rp to be picked up by car in Sukabumi.

Option 2 (Pick-up by car at Jakarta Airport):

• An airport pick-up at Jakarta Soekarno Hatta can be arranged for a fee of
1.300.000(1.3.Million) Rp per car. (1 car = maximum 4 people)
• FOR TERMINAL 2: Meeting point with our driver is at the Alfa Express Supermarket at
Terminal D2 / 2E, AT ARRIVAL LEVEL.
• FOR TERMINAL 3; The Information stand in the hallway.
In both cases our driver will have a paper with your name on it.
• Depending on the traffic, the journey to Cikananga will be at least 5 hours, but usually can
several hours extra due to traffic jams
• We have 2 drivers; please notice they don’t speak English.
• If there are any problems at arrival on the airport (or on the way to our Center) you can
contact Ono or Hanneke.
o Phone no. Ono: (+62)-85863111287
o Phone no. Hanneke; (+62)-85703704835

2.10 What do I need to bring to Cikananga?

• Especially for women: Please be aware that you are in a Muslim country. Please wear
clothes that cover your shoulders, chest and upper legs. The local people otherwise will feel
uncomfortable. That means no shorts or tank tops!
• Lightweight work clothes, you do not mind getting dirty.
• If you stay for a longer period, bring also clothes that are suitable for example a party or a
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 wedding.
• Warmer clothes for in the evening.
• Good Rainwear! It can rain very heavily during rainy season.
• Towels
• Walking shoes with a good profile.
• Wellingtons (rubber) boots and a good supply of socks.
• Slippers or sandels
• Working gloves are recommended for different types of work.
• Mosquito net is not directly necessary, but many people like it so the choice is yours.
• If you prefer , Anti-Mosquito lotion (DEET)
• Headlamp or torch preferable with Infra red light for observations of our Slow Loris in the
evening.
• Amusement for free time (books, games, laptop etc.)
• A unlocked phone to use an Indonesian Sim-card
• Enough cash money. There are no ATM machines near Cikananga. We advise you to
withdraw money from the ATM at the airport before coming to the Center, or to change
money in your currency to Rupiah at the airport

2.10 What do I need to bring for the first days?

Make a stop at a supermarket before you come to Cikananga. There are no shops in Cikananga.
What to buy:
• Breakfast
• Drinks
• Snacks
• Toilet paper

2.11 What other activities are possible in and around Cikananga?

The environment around Cikananga is very beautiful, and we organise trips and tours from the
Center on occasion and normally group wise, like:

• Visit and swim (for women; always wear a short and a T shirt) in the large natural Bibiljan
waterfalls and spot wildlife in the meantime
• Caving with professional guides in the 1500 meter long cave and vertical caving
• A guided walk in the amazing tea-field that are so typical for West-Java

These trips and tours are not included in the volunteer fee.

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3. Volunteers at in CWC

Important information before arrival !

Working with our rescued animals at CWC
Please adhere to all the following rules and guidelines for working with our animal’s safety.
We take this very seriously and if any volunteers/interns do not follow these rules they will be
asked to leave the project.

• We have strict hands off policy when volunteers/interns work with our animals at CWC. This
is for many reasons such as;
▪ Potential spread of zoonotic disease between our animals, and people, and vice versa.
▪ Limiting human contact so animals become accustomed to their own kind
▪ Many of our animals are dangerous.
Even if you see staff interacting with animals, this does not mean you can. Very rarely
long term volunteers/interns will be needed to work hands on with animals.
• Always follow the direct instructions of the Volunteer coordinator (VC), Animal welfare
manager or keepers even if you see other volunteers doing something different.
• If you are not feeling well, please let the VC know, as you may be infectious to the animals,
especially primates.
• Please wash your hands before, after and between cleaning enclosures, food preparation,
enrichment preparation and your breaks. This will help our animals, and you also remain
healthy.
• Please always be aware of your surrounding. Watch where you leave your tools, hoses etc.
In case you or others trip over them, or an animal grabs them.
• Never turn your back on an animal, and be careful walking around enclosures, many animals
such as macaques, gibbons and bears will reach out and try to grab you. If any issue arises
notify the VC or another staff member.
• Do not tease animals or make faces at them, especially macaques , as this can aggrevate
them if you do not know what each expression means.
• Be careful of jewellery and long hair around the animals. These may become cauht on
fences or structures when working, or be something animals may try to grab.
• Do not use your phone, or music players when working around animals. When you do, you
are not fully alert to what is happing around you.

CWC reserves the right to ask you to leave if

• You do anything to harm or cause distress to any animal, including touching the
animals.
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 • Your behaviour is causing distress to staff and/or volunteers/interns
• You have acted with reckless disregard for the safety of staff or volunteers/interns or
have caused them actual harm.
• Your use of alcohol is considered excessive or unacceptable by staff.
• You are found using, or are in possession of illegal substances.
• You have acted in such a way that you are likely to bring a bad reputation to the
organization.
• You are not fulfilling your obligations as a volunteer/intern and continually refuse to
carry out reasonable requests.
• You do not follow the rules outlined in the Volunteer guide or explained to you by
CWC staff throughout the duration of your stay. Please refer to this if you are unsure
of any rules or policies, or discuss with staff.

If you are asked to leave for not following the rules and policies, and those told to you on
site, do not request a refund. Our rules and policies are clear and when you are accepted to
join our project it is with understanding that you have read and accepted them.

Contact
If you have any questions about the program, on availability or want to register for the Cikananga volunteer
program, please mail to:
wanicare.volunteering@gmail.com
Other contact info:

Hanneke Kuiken - Volunteer Coordinator

Phone Number; (+62) -85703704835

Website : www.cikanangawildlife center.com

: www.wanicare.com

For latest updates on our work follow us on social media:

Facebook: facebook.com/wanicare_foundation
Instagram: @wanicare_foundation

For Frequently Asked Questions

http://www.wanicare.com/frequently-asked-questions-volunteers

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