Description

The rescue and rehabilitation Centre is based in the Ecuadorian rainforest, just where The Andes and the Amazon rainforest join together. This intersection of biomes creates one of the most diverse places in the world for Biology and Ecology study. The Centre works with the Environmental Police (UPMA) and the Ministry of Environment in the fight against animal abuse and trafficking (poaching). The Centre relies upon the hard work and financial support of volunteers from all around the world.

The Centre was established in 2006 on the land of a family from the Amazon. The last four years has been spent working hard to develop technical knowledge of animal rescue and rehabilitation techniques. Volunteers and staff have worked continuously with the coordinators of the Centre to improve the lives of the animals and to over-come the many challenges faced in running an animal rescue Centre in the Ecuadorian rainforest.

This deep understanding of the local people and their culture, combined with the learning and understanding they have gained of the plight of their native animals over the past four years places in a very unique position.
Currently, we are caring for about 64 animals which include about 28 monkeys, such as squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha), titi monkey (Callicebus discolor), and capuchins (Cebus albifrons and Cebus apella). We have peccaries (Pecari tajacu), coati (Nasua nasua), tayra (Eira barbara), kinkajou (Potos flavus), margay (Leopardus wiedii), tortoises (Geochelone denticulata), snake (Boa constrictor contrictor), turkey/crested guan (Penelope purpurascens) and many species of parrots (Amazona amazonica, Amazona autummalis, Amazona ochrocephala, Amazona farinosa), Pionus menstrus, Pionus chalcopterus) and macaws (Ara ararauna, Ara macao).

During your time here you will primarily be involved in the day-to-day care of the wide variety of animals at the Centre. You will be involved with the cleaning and preparation of diets, repairing and maintenance of the enclosures, as well as the building of new enclosures as the Centre expands and develops. We also run observation and enrichment projects where the volunteers are encouraged to observe and take notes about the behavior of the animals.

The hours of work are Monday to Friday 8am to 12:30pm and 3pm to 5pm. Volunteers take turns with house-hold chores, including cooking, cleaning, and washing; in this way, everyone has the opportunity to help. On Saturdays the volunteers work for a several hours to clean the volunteer house and the kitchen, and to feed the animals (ending around 10:30 am).

In your free time you can take one of the many beautiful walks through the surrounding area and learn about living here, including improving your Spanish. On the weekends the Centre can arrange jungle tours which take volunteers deeper into the rainforest. Or, you can visit the nearby towns of Tena or Baos, where there are so many different things to do.

This volunteer project is aimed at all people who love the environment and animals, and who want to give us a helping hand in the fight against the threats to the animals in the Amazon Rainforest. The rainforest is a place of inestimable importance to world biology and ecology. We offer volunteers the opportunity to experience life in the jungle working closely and directly with native wildlife of Ecuador and working alongside the local community.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 140 per week

Program Fees Include:

Time volunteering: 2 weeks minimum and maximum 12 weeks. We welcome volunteers all year round, but we request that people arrive either on a Sunday evening or a Monday morning to begin their stay.

The cost includes: Pick up airport, accommodation in a comfortable bungalow (bedding is provided), three meals per day. There are two showers with hot water, fresh drinking water, a TV, DVD player, and a book exchange.

First free night (bed & breakfast) with a host family in Quito, transfer from host family to the bus station in Quito (next day of your arrival).

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

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

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

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.