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How I As French Man Ended Up Volunteering At A Wolf Sanctuary In Russia
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How I As French Man Ended Up Volunteering At A Wolf Sanctuary In Russia

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Being a French guy from a tiny town, I have always liked to travel. I started traveling at the age of 21 and by age 25 I wanted something a little bit different than going to hostels or sleeping in a tent, something more fulfilling.

So I started searching for an experience and found this place where apparently you can volunteer with wolves in the Far West Russian Land. After 1 month of waiting for my visa, I was on my way traveling by bus from France.

It took me about a week of traveling by public transport to reach the place. It was a small village only reachable by local taxis (or guys who were up for the drive for some rubles…), situated about 25 minutes from the nearest village. A bunch of houses, lost in the middle of the taiga. Around 80% of the area is covered by unspoiled forest with just a few roads.

I did not speak much Russian, they did not speak much English, no TV, internet, or such. Many mosquitoes, as there are many swamps around. For two weeks I was fully immersed in the wild.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you want to contact details for volunteering there !

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    One day I realized I wanted to travel someplace different, somewhere more fulfilling than a simple trip

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    I searched for many days and found this wolf sanctuary in the far Russia

    Apparently, you can volunteer there, so my plan was set

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    I traveled to the remote village in Russia, where I met friendly people, who did not speak my language, and a lot of wolves

    For two weeks I was fully immersed in the wild: no internet, no TV, no phone

    I had to visit mama wolf everyday, which took 2 hours of walking in the forest by foot, where I needed to be loud to scare away the bears

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    She needed to see humans, as she was wild but got too used to being around humans and therefore needed some human attention

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    I stayed in a hut by the wolf fence for a few nights, hearing the howling of the other wolves

    I also cared for the cubs

    Those tiny ones eat so much meat already

    This is the house in the village where I stayed

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    My daily path to see the wolf

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    And here’s me wearing my anti-mosquito outfit

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    Matt

    Matt

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    Born in French in 84. I left my country and started travelling by age 21 and never stopped since there. Graduated from Tourism and kept doing a internship since 10 years now. Currently settled in Berlin for winter. Waiting for the next adventure !

    Read less »
    Matt

    Matt

    Author, Community member

    Born in French in 84. I left my country and started travelling by age 21 and never stopped since there. Graduated from Tourism and kept doing a internship since 10 years now. Currently settled in Berlin for winter. Waiting for the next adventure !

    What do you think ?
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    Pat Sinclair
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hello. Similarly wondering if you can forward details about the volunteering here and the name of the place etc? I am a keen conservationist, also a journalist. Thank you. P Sinclair

    Danica Rice
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi Matt, I've been looking for a volunteer experience in Russia and was wondering if you could contact me with more details. My email is rice.danica@gmail.com Thanks!

    Megh
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi Matt. Great story. Cud you pls connect with me on megh04@gmail.com for details. M not on facebook. Thanks in advance.

    Soulbutter
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazing. I start my adventure at a Wolf Sanctuary in a few days too.

    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Believe me I did! I was singing and screaming random stuff for hours in the woods !

    Load More Replies...
    Pat Sinclair
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hello. Similarly wondering if you can forward details about the volunteering here and the name of the place etc? I am a keen conservationist, also a journalist. Thank you. P Sinclair

    Danica Rice
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi Matt, I've been looking for a volunteer experience in Russia and was wondering if you could contact me with more details. My email is rice.danica@gmail.com Thanks!

    Megh
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hi Matt. Great story. Cud you pls connect with me on megh04@gmail.com for details. M not on facebook. Thanks in advance.

    Soulbutter
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazing. I start my adventure at a Wolf Sanctuary in a few days too.

    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Believe me I did! I was singing and screaming random stuff for hours in the woods !

    Load More Replies...
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