Project Summary
Founded in 2006 in partnership with a local indigenous family that lives in the Amazon rainforest, this centre works with the Ministry of the Environment and the Environmental Police to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals from the jungle that were victims of abuse and animal trafficking. The sanctuary is sometimes open to the public and school groups to generate much needed income but the main focus is protection and rescue of species.
This wildlife placement is ideal for people interested in biology, animal rights, conservation, and environmental policy. Remote, but beautiful, the property teems with its talkative residents: parrots, monkeys, turtles, wild cats, and other mammals who call the verdant, lush green surroundings of this idyllic tropical location home.
Why choose this project?
Beyond routine maintenance, the project will benefit from your support in helping the overworked staff to reach their long-term goals, including moving existing infrastructure and the animals to a bigger location. Most importantly, the local team desperately needs to develop partnerships with local environmental authorities to advocate for protected natural habitats where the animals may re-introduced, and volunteers have an important role in making this happen. You will also benefit by gaining an incredible up close experience with wild animals and their welfare in the beautiful amazon, an experience certainly worth adding to your CV/resume.
Role of the volunteer
This project is seriously understaffed and always needs assistance with the daily chores: cleaning the cages, feeding the animals, repairing the animals’ homes, constructing new edifices for incoming animals and nurturing traumatised species back to a more stable state of mental health as well. Sometimes the project opens to school groups to raise money for the project and also to educate local children about the importance of caring for animals. Volunteers may be asked to help with these groups and will have an opportunity to use their English and Spanish.
Those with experience in veterinary science or biology will work with the sanctuary coordinators to take more of an active role in animal care. and some of the more technical aspects of the running of the wildlife rescue centre.
