Animal Rescue Centre

Product Details

Wild animals are illegally captured in parts of Ecuador and sold to collectors. This project provides a rehabilitation centre for ones being released back into the wild. Volunteers are needed to care for them. It is set in 50 hectares of wild land in the foothills of the Andes but less than an hour from Quito.

The project is located one hour south of Quito on the slope of volcano Atacazo. It was founded by Johnny and Brenda Cordova who still live on site. It is set in 50 hectares of land. The cages that house the animals range in size and condition; some are huge and house eagles and Andean bears, some of the smaller cages have monkeys, ocelots, peccary, a fully mature jaguar and a pride of lions rescued from a circus. There is also a heated room that keeps spiders and snakes in glass cages. The cages are a bit of a mis-match and are built as the animals arrive.

Animal rights in Ecuador are non-existent. It is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world and possible to buy a huge variety ranging from large cats to monkeys, crocodiles and parrots. They are protected by the law but it is very rarely enforced. Most of them are bought when they are young as pets for wealthy Quitenos, as the animal grows the owner finds that they cannot cope with it in the house and what was at first a cute-looking cub has turned into a powerful killing machine. At this point many people try to get rid of the animal. The luckier ones end up at the rescue centre. Many of the ones that people have as pets are on the endangered list, this means that the police can remove the animal from its owner, and take them to the centre where they are looked after with the intention of rehabilitating them back into the wild. (This is not always possible as they are often sick and partially domesticated). There are good working relationships with the police and you would be asked to work alongside them.

Volunteer activities

The project needs volunteers for just about every aspect of animal rescue, rehabilitation and release. You would be needed to clean out the cages and make sure the animals have fresh food and water. Cages are all in need of constant modification, maintenance and building. Another part of work at the centre is to build paths so it can be opened to schools for visits. Educating Ecuadorian and international children about the plight of these poor animals is very important and this raises much needed money for the centre. You may also be working alongside the local police to remove illegal animals from their owners (you would never be placed in a risky situation). When the animals are ready to leave the centre for release, you would be asked to accompany them to the high Andes, coast, cloud forest or tropical jungle. The animals need 24-hour care. You would be supervised by Johnny, Brenda or one of the longer-serving volunteers. This project could not run without a small, permanent team of volunteers. Your help is needed!

Time off / accommodation

Accommodation is in a private house with up to six other volunteers. It is comfortable, airy and spacious but you would be expected to share a room. You would cook communally and Outreach would provide you with an allowance for food. Due to its proximity to Quito you could easily see other volunteers at weekends and join in with weekend trips and expeditions. Like all Outreach volunteers you would be registered members of the South American Explorer Club and have full access to its facilities in Quito.