Volunteer in Amazon Animal Rescue Center

This project is located in the Ecuadorian rainforest and works for rescuing, rehabilitating and when possible releasing animals back to their natural environment.

The centre works in partnership with the Ecuadorian Environmental Police (UPMA) and the Ministry of Environment in the fight against the trafficking, abuse, capture and hunting of wild animals. This center is very organized and volunteers can help with caring for the animals and maintenance.

This project was founded in 2006 with the aim of protecting the wildlife of the Amazon region through the rescue and rehabilitation of local flora and fauna. The animals at the center have all been abused, neglected or abandoned. Some of the animals were orphaned when their parents were killed by hunters, others were rescued from animal dealers who were trying to traffic the animals out of the country and many have been retrieved from families who had kept these animals in captivity. Unfortunately the majority have suffered some sort of physical or psychological abuse.

There are currently at least 40 different species of animals at the center which include: Ocelot, tayra, capybara, parrots, monkeys, tortoises, and caimans amongst others.

The center is also open for tourists to visit, charging a small entrance fee that is the center’s only other source of income. As animal welfare is not a high priority for many Ecuadorians, the background and mistreatment of each animal is explained to tourists, with the idea to educate local and foreign visitors about animal protection issues. In general, the visits are not guided, but tourists can read about each animal on the information sign at the cages.

Want to see other ways to make an impact? Check out our Volunteer in South America programs.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Each activity contributes to the well-being of the animals and the smooth operation of the animal rescue center.Volunteers are generally involved in the following tasks :

• Daily Animal Care: Attend to the everyday needs of the animals

• Diet Prep and Feeding: Cut up fruit,prepare diets, and feed the animals

• Help New Arrivals: Assist new animals in adjusting to the center

• General Maintenance: Take care of maintenance and cleaning tasks around the center

• Construction Work: Repair and build new enclosures to improve facilities

• Enrichment Activities: Enhance cages and enclosures to keep animals engaged

• Training: Train animals that cannot be released to reduce stress, especially during medical checks

• Vet Assistance: Support the vet when needed (only students of veterinary studies or background can assist with veterinary-related activities, so this task would not apply to all participants)

• Additional Tasks: Engage in gardening,improve trails, and create signs for visitors

Requirements & eligibility

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program and should be prepared to work outdoors and get their hands dirty. Participants in the program should have a keen interest and love for animal conservation work. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report.