Ecuador wildlife sanctuary volunteering
Description of Ecuador wildlife sanctuary volunteering
When you volunteer on this Ecuador conservation project, it gives you a chance to explore wilderness and surround yourself with some of the most amazing Amazonian wildlife you could ever see. Immerse yourself in life at a leading animal sanctuary, dedicated to rescuing and protecting abused and mishandled Amazonian animals.
Help to provide a new life to animals that have had a tough start. Prepare the food for the chattering monkeys, feed the beautifully colourful birds, provide enrichment to the majestic forest cats and care for the cute coatis - and this is just some of what you will become a part of.
Where possible, these animals will be rehabilitated to the wild in a separate reserve, however sadly this cannot be the case for all animals brought to the sanctuary. The sanctuary operates a hands-off policy, however some of the animals here have become so humanised that they are prone to approach volunteers for some attention. Volunteers may get the chance to interact with monkeys and native species.
The sanctuary spreads through about 8 hectares of beautiful woodland, home to about 35 different species. Joining this project is a great way to get some experience of working in animal care, as well as to get up close with these beautiful animals.
Free time
Activities such as Amazon exploring, white water rafting and cultural tours are all readily available for free time trips. You will be working Monday - Friday and either Saturday or Sunday morning, depending on your rota, so you will have plenty of time to fit in some trips too.
Accommodation and food
Volunteers live in the heart of the sanctuary, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rain forest. About 4 - 6 volunteers share log cabins with access to an outdoor swimming pool and wifi. The toilets and showers are communal in a block just next to the accommodation.
Food is provided during the week, and volunteers help to prepare delicious meals for themselves and the rest of the group.
Itinerary
| Day 1: | Sunday. Arrival in Quito airport. Transfer to first night accommodation in Quito. |
| Day 2: | Monday. Transfer by shared taxi to the project site. |
| Day 3+: | Volunteering at the sanctuary takes place Monday - Friday and either Saturday or Sunday morning. |
| Day 7+: | You can join this project from 1 - 12 weeks. Most people choose to leave on a Saturday or Sunday to go back to Quito / do some onward travel. |
Price information
Extra weeks £200 p/w.
Includes airport collection, first night accommodation and food in Quito, shared taxi transfer to project site, accommodation, food on weekdays, training
Departure information
Travel guides
Holiday information
Accessibility
Reviews
2 Reviews of Ecuador wildlife sanctuary volunteering
Reviewed on 06 Aug 2019 by Gemma Ramsden
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Interacting with all the beautiful animals at the sanctuary. Completely unforgettable.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Spend as long as you can, I wish I’d spent more than two weeks there!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10/10, really a wonderful experience with friendly staff, lots of opportunities
to interact with the animals there and learn their stories and a broad mix of
fun volunteers.
Reviewed on 05 Apr 2018 by Maya Dite
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Helping animals.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It’s a lot of work, but it pays off! The animals and the people are phenomenal.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great experience!
Responsible Travel
Planet
Conservation:This project is all about conserving animals and enabling them to live with protection in their natural environment. Everything that is done at the sanctuary is done to create a good life for these rescued animals.
Protecting the world
We are passionate about encouraging our travellers to be kind to the environment as they travel. Each participant receives advice about how to care for the environment whilst they are away. This includes water usage, how to avoid single use plastic, and electricity usage.
We insist that all participants bring their own water bottles when they travel with us, and clean free water is always available. We have even created a water bottle that can be purchased before departure and encourage people to use it at all stages of their journey including at the airport, on flights and whilst on their project. We are striving for all of our projects to be free of single use plastic.
People
Meeting local needs:In addition to helping to protect these animals, this sanctuary plays an important role in protecting the local economy. This rural area relies on conservation and wildlife for tourism as there are no big cities nearby.
The sanctuary brings volunteers to the area and has created jobs for local people, both directly at the sanctuary and indirectly through using taxi companies, supermarkets, markets and restaurants. By helping at the sanctuary our volunteers are ensuring its survival and allowing it to expand the number of animals it can help.
Cultural sensitivity:
We emphasise the importance of showing respect for local people and their customs in our briefing material. Participants will work alongside permanent staff, forming close bonds and getting an insight into real life. Our policy is to send people overseas in small groups or individually. This minimises the environmental and social impact that the participants have on the destination and helps them to integrate into the local community. We really emphasise the value of learning some Spanish before departure.
All of our participants receive comprehensive pre-departure briefing. This covers topics on how to be culturally sensitive, how to best look after the environment when in the country and how to stay safe as well as up to date information on the political situation.
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