ASZK Field Trip

August 10-18, 2026

$2850 NZD

  • Ranger patrol

    Join rangers on patrol to search for snares, follow wild elephant tracks, and learn how rangers identify wildlife and signs of illegal activity or human-wildlife conflict

  • Immerse in nature

    Swim and tube in pristine rivers, trek in the steamy Sumatran jungle, and hike through an impressive forest canyon.

  • Hands-on conservation

    Lend a hand with whatever’s needed at Orangutan Haven - whether it’s for the orangutans themselves or the conservation site that supports them. The work will be physically demanding but rewarding!

Learn in the field. Support conservation. Celebrate a legacy.

Join us on a unique 9-day field trip through North Sumatra, designed exclusively for Australasian wildlife professionals. This immersive experience offers rare, hands-on involvement with two renowned conservation initiatives—Orangutan Haven and the Sumatran Ranger Project—working at the forefront of wildlife protection and habitat preservation.

Spend three days working at Orangutan Haven alongside local staff to help provide improvements, maintenance, or developments to the 48-hectare site, and construct enrichment or enclosure furnishings for the orangutan residents. Trek in the Gunung Leuser National Park in search of wild Sumatran orangutans and other unique Indonesian wildlife, before spending time with the dedicated rangers from Sumatran Ranger Project. As we trek along the edge of and into the forest, we’ll search for snares, trace the footprints of wild elephants, and witness firsthand how the rangers use their sharp instincts and deep knowledge of the forest to track wildlife and detect signs of illegal activity and human-wildlife conflict.

As part of the Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping (ASZK’s) 50th anniversary celebrations, each trip includes a $100 donation to their scholarship fund, supporting professional development for animal care professionals through conferences and workshops. You'll also receive a complimentary 12-month ASZK membership, or an extension to your current one—continuing nearly five decades of support for our zoo and aquarium community.

This is a rare, hands-on opportunity to contribute meaningfully to impactful conservation programmes within Indonesia - a unique professional development opportunity for animal care professionals that gives back to local communities, conservation initiatives, and ASZK.

ASZK Field Trip - North Sumatra
from $712.50