Description

The volunteer project is a center who works together with the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment and the Environmental Police Force to prevent the illegal trafficking of wildlife located at 10 minutes of Puyo. The main mutual role is rescuing animals from their captors and providing them a new home and a better quality of life. Over the years, it has received over a hundred animals of different species that have previously been victims of trafficking as:

* Capuchin, Wooly, Spider, and Tamarind monkeys
* Ocelots and Margay
* Kinkajous, Coatis, Olingos and Tayras
* Ant Eater and Porcupine
* White-lipped Peccary
* Macaws and various parrots
* Spectacled Caiman and Boa constrictors
* And different types of animals

These animals are under constant observation from staff and volunteers alike to ensure they are eating and drinking well, they appear to be of good health, their behavior is normal and they are not demonstrating typical stress-related activity. Should anything seem to be wrong with any of the animals, then the centers' vet is contacted immediately and arrives as quickly as possible to examine and treat sick animals. Excluding emergencies the vet normally visits the center every week to check up on each animal health condition. We also work with vets from all over the world who come to the center to gain experience.

The center performs the function of rescuing animals that are found in appalling conditions, badly treated by their 'owners', without adequate food or water, generally living in inhumane conditions. When animals are brought to the center, the work begins of providing them enclosures similar to their natural environment, with enrichment tools to enable them to harness their natural behaviors and live in conditions as close as possible to those they would in the wild. However, it is impossible to totally imitate the true wilderness of the rainforest so our objective is to have the center as an intermediary home before releasing the animals back into their natural environment. Animal reintroductions are complicated processes though, with animals having to show certain characteristics before being accepted for release and with the immense cost of release missions making it difficult.
It may seem surprising, but it is not only animals that are illegally trafficked. There is also a large illegal market for plant species, especially orchids. Occasionally, the center also receive plants that have been confiscated from traffickers. These plants are returned to the patch of jungle belonging to the center or are planted in the orchid garden.

The volunteer program welcomes volunteers to help with the center day to day activities, work on existing projects of enclosure enrichment, botanical studies in our forest, or help create new projects like new environmental awareness programs in the local schools, building new islands as fenceless sanctuaries for our animals to name a few.

Volunteers require no previous experience with animals, though it is a perfect place to practice and learn for budding zoologists, animal caretakers and vets. What we do ask from you is a love for the natural world, the motivation to help and to learn, a willingness to share new ideas for projects, and a friendly personality.

The most important volunteer activity is the feeding of the animals and the maintenance and cleanliness of their enclosures. These activities are normally rotated so volunteers don't find themselves solely doing these tasks (unless they want to of course!).

There are a number of different activities that volunteers can help with in the center and they can select from our projects the ones that they are interested in to make their stay it as enjoyable and beneficial to them as possible. For example, those that are really interested in plants may focus their efforts more in the orchid garden, tree and medicinal plant nurseries and in the jungle belonging to the center. Those who are interested in animals can focus more on animal management, construction and enrichment of enclosures, recollection of wild insects and fruits for animals, etc. Those who are more interested in cultures ad would like to teach children may get involved in environmental education programs and English teaching in local schools. Activities will be combined to best suit each volunteers personal preferences and the priorities of the rescue center.

All activities are supervised by the Center technicians and workers. This gives the volunteers the opportunity to learn many new skills and to get to know the local Amazonian people. There are two Shuar Indian workers that have extensive knowledge of native animals and plants and natural remedies.

Highlights

During your time here you will really get to know the animals. Volunteers become very involved in the animals daily routine and they are guaranteed to leave with many fond memories and funny stories to tell. Volunteering in this project is a unique experience where dull moments don't exist.

Volunteers are housed in cabins for three persons that are in the heart of the center so they can watch the animals from their hammocks on the deck, and in the mornings wake up to the beautiful sound of macaws, parrots, monkeys and other animals. The cabins are basic but have all the necessary commodities of electricity, warm and cold running water.

There is a communal kitchen and dining area for the use of volunteers and staff. The kitchen area is large and equipped with all necessary appliances and utensils. In the dining area, volunteers and staff eat together at breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is also an area where meetings are held, presentations are given, games are played, social events take place, and just a good place to hang out and share experiences and travelling tales with fellow volunteers.

There is an area designated for hand washing clothes, though if you prefer you can have your clothes washed for you for a small fee in Puyo.
In the volunteer project there are picnic areas and designated campfire sites, where volunteers can go and sit around the fire in the evenings, play the guitar, sing songs, toast marshmallows, etc.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 150 per week

Program Fees Include:

Volunteer Project Includes: Pick up at airport in Quito; free night with a host family in Quito including breakfast and transfer from host family to bus station in Quito; accommodation in a volunteer house (shared bedrooms and bathroom), three meals per day from Monday to Friday, Jacuzzi, swimming pool.

Volunteers can take Spanish lessons, dance class, tours with an extra cost but not expensive.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

Eco Volunteer UP Foundation's Mission Statement

We are a non-profit organization which is legally recognized by the Ecuadorian Government. Volunteers with Eco Volunteer UP have the choice of many worthy programs, such as vulnerable orphanages, institutes for children with disabilities, street children and local indigenous communities. There are volunteer programs located in and around Quito, the capital of Ecuador, as well as programs located in the Cloud Forest and its communities close to Quito, the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Galapagos Islands and other key places around Ecuador. We offer volunteers real immersion in the various Ecuadorian ecosystems, and the unique opportunity for learning and sharing about Ecuadorian cultures, costumes and traditions.