Description

We have three release sites up and running from 2011, Tiskita on the south pacific coast, Manzanillo on the south Caribbean coast and Punta Islita on the Nicoya Peninsula. All release sites are situated within the tropical jungle, walking distance to the beach. You will be working with our biologists in the field to conduct field studies in an accurate and scientific manner. We are looking for qualified biologists and/or studying students, as well as enthusiastic birders, ornithologists, zoo keepers, or conservation workers.

As a volunteer you will help with:
- Tracking, Monitoring and Observing the Macaws behaviour, feeding, roosting and breeding in the surrounding area and beyond
- Recording data
- Helping with the daily afternoon sunflower seed feed at the release site
- Visiting schools and the local community, including the native Indian population, to educate the people about the project and Macaw conservation

Volunteering at a release site is not for the faint hearted. It can involve lots of walking sometimes in thick jungle, sitting watching nests for long periods of time, working in extreme weather conditions, and sometimes very early starts and late finishes.

To volunteer at a release site we ask for a USD 10 donation that goes towards your accommodation, which is provided. You will have to supply your own food. We ask that you stay for a minimum of 2 months to get the most out of your experience.

Highlights

The Project is a non profit organisation based in Costa Rica. We work with the highly endangered Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) and the Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus).

This project was originally started 30 years ago by Richard and Margot Frisius, a retired couple from the United States. They came to Costa Rica wanting to help the two native macaw species of this country, the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) and the Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus). They started by taking in parrots that the government had confiscated from Poachers, as well as parrots that were being kept as pets that were no longer wanted. They then set up a breeding program to begin releasing the offspring of these Scarlet and Great Green Macaws back into the wild of Costa Rica. In 2009 the project, a non-profit organisation, was set up to carry on the amazing work that Richard and Margot had started.

The Project currently has the largest captive populations of both the Scarlet and Great Green Macaw at our breeding centre with three active release sites, two for Scarlet Macaws and the first Great Green release site worldwide.

The release program has been very successful. The most successful is the Scarlet Macaw release project currently running at Tiskita. Scarlet Macaws have been released there since 2002, with a success rate of over 80%. Even better, the released Scarlet Macaws have been breeding on their own, without any human interference since 2008.

You will be able help with the conservation of 2 highly endangered species. You will learn skills necessary for studying and university degrees from our Biologists. You will get to spend time in some of the most beautiful and spectacular places our planet has to offer.

Qualifications

To volunteer at one of our reintroduction sites you will need to be over 18 years of age and speak English. Qualified biologists and/or studying students, as well as enthusiastic birders, ornithologists, zoo keepers, or conservation workers are preferred but not a requirement.

Intern Types

• Animal Sciences
• Biology(General)
• Field-Study
• Zoology & Wildlife Sciences

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 10

Cost Includes:

• Housing
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

The USD 10 cost to volunteer at the reintroduction sites covers a donation to The ARA Project and accommodation. It does not include food or other expenses.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Volunteering at a reintroduction site is not for the faint hearted. It can involve lots of walking sometimes in thick jungle, sitting watching nests for long periods of time, working in extreme weather conditions, and sometimes very early starts and late finishes. Volunteers need to be honest, hard working, not afraid to get dirty and willing to work alone or in small groups sometimes in uncomfortable conditions.

Age Range

18 years and over

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Resume

The ARA Project's Mission Statement

The ARA Project works to re-introduce the 2 native species of Macaw, the Scarlet Macaw, Ara Macao, and the Great Green Macaw, Ara ambiguus, to the wild in Costa Rica. We have the largest captive breeding populations of both species and have released Macaws in 5 different sites, 3 of which are actively being monitored and studied by Biologists in the field.

Year Founded

2009