Amazon Animal Rescue Centre
WORKING ABROAD Volunteer in Ecuador Wildlife Project List
Amazon Animal Rescue Centre
This center 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, some were rescued from animal dealers who were trying to traffic the animals out of the country and others have been removed from families who had kept these animals in captivity. Unfortunately the majority have suffered some sort of physical or psychological abuse. Some of the animals have been handed over to the care of the center by Government authorities who have rescued or taken custody of the animals; others have arrived at the centre by voluntary means from families who have realized that wild animals are not to be kept as domestic pets. There are currently at least 35 different species of animals at the center including oncilla, tayra, capybara, parrots, monkeys, tortoises, and caimans. The center is also open for tourists paying a small entrance fee, which serves as the center’s main 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 being to educate local and foreign visitors about animal protection issues. This project offers a unique opportunity for volunteers to work for and protect a large number of wild animals while living in a beautiful part of the Amazon rainforest.
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES Volunteers are needed to help in the following activities: `Day to day care of the animals `Cutting fruit, preparation of diets, feeding the animals `Helping new arrivals adjust to the center `General maintenance and cleaning `Construction work; repairing and building new enclosures `Cage and enclosure enrichment `Assisting the vet when necessary `Guiding and educating tourists about the center’s work `Other activities such as gardening, improving trails, making signs for visitors
WORK SCHEDULE You will work from 8am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, volunteers work for a few hours in the morning as the animals still need feeding and looking after but once all the tasks are completed you are free for the weekend.
LOCATION This project is located 10 minutes from the jungle town of Puyo. From Quito by bus it takes approximately 5 hours to reach.
ACCOMMODATION There is a volunteer house with dorm rooms offering space for up to 14 people in total. There is a shared kitchen, bathroom and social area with TV and DVD player. You will be provided with bedding and will even have access to a swimming pool, for which there is an additional cost of $5.00 per week. Accommodation is basic and it is your duty to keep your living area clean.
161 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY 10013
TEL 212.924.0446
FAX 212.924.0575
www.InterExchange.org
WORKING ABROAD Volunteer in Ecuador Wildlife Project List
Monkey Sanctuary
This center is located in an isolated area of the Ecuadorian rainforest. It was established in 2006 and works in rescuing, rehabilitating and when possible releasing animals back to their natural environment. The center works in partnership with the Ecuadorian Environmental Police (UPMA) and the Ministry of Environment in the fight against trafficking, abuse, capture and hunting of wild animals. Animal welfare is not often a high priority for many Ecuadorians and many do not understand the problems associated with keeping wild animals as domestic pets. In such circumstances the animals often become depressed/ aggressive and as a result are neglected and abused. Many of the animals arriving at the center have been mistreated, and have physical and/or psychological injuries. The rescue center covers an area of over 100 hectares on the land of the Alvarez Guatactuca family. This is a Quichua family whose ancestral line over this land and area stems back hundreds of years. As a family-run rescue center, they have a great understanding of the local community, their culture and the plight of their native wild animals. What started as a small center for monkeys has expanded to a center that, at the request of the Government, now takes in all types of wild animals. This is therefore a great opportunity to work not only with monkeys but with a variety of exotic animals. There are currently over 50 animals at the center including primates (squirrel, titi and capuchin monkeys) mammals (peccaries, coati, tayra, kinkajou, margay), reptiles (tortoises) and birds (turkey, parrots and macaws). The center is dedicated to helping the local community in many ways, not only in contracting their local services to help the local economy, but also in educational programs working closely with the local school to teach children the importance of environmental issues.
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES Volunteers are needed to help in the following activities: `Day to day care of the animals `Cutting up fruit, preparation of diets, feeding the animals `Helping new arrivals adjust to the center `General maintenance and cleaning `Construction work; repairing and building new enclosures `Daily hikes to pick fruits for the animals and also to harvest yucca, corn, sugar cane or cocoa. `Additional activities:
The center is dedicated to finding ways to provide the chance of a good life to the animals in their care (this includes basic things such as providing them with a suitable diet which in so many cases they never had during their time in captivity) and where possible run effective, science based rehabilitation programs to help in the process of returning them to their natural environment. As a volunteer, you will also be able to help in this effort. For example, as most animals living in the wild spend a big part of their day searching in order to find food or refuge, these are the types of behaviors that have to be encouraged so that animals at the center do not loose these skills. Volunteers can help by using their imagination to build a toy or game for the animal and then observe how it uses it and in what way it benefits the animal. This work is invaluable to the animals to relieve the boredom of their captivity and to maintain their natural predatory instincts. In addition to animal welfare, if you wish you can also be involved in the local Environmental Education Program, where you can help prepare lessons twice a month dedicated to a specific environment issue. The sessions take place at the Juan León Mera School, based just in front of the center. The children are between the ages of 6 and 12 years and in these classes the idea is to help the younger generation understand the importance of ecosystems as a whole (including all the living beings who are part of them) and the role of natural resources.
WORK SCHEDULE You will work Monday to Friday from 8am to 12:30pm and 2:30pm to 5pm. On Saturdays the volunteers work for a couple of hours to clean the 161 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY 10013
TEL 212.924.0446
FAX 212.924.0575
www.InterExchange.org
WORKING ABROAD Volunteer in Ecuador Wildlife Project List
volunteer house and kitchen, and feed the animals (ending around 10:30 am) then they are free for the weekend.
LOCATION This project is located close to Arajuno, approximately 1 hour from the nearest town of Puyo, in an isolated area. Travelling by bus from Quito it will take you approximately 6 hours to reach the center.
ACCOMMODATION There is a volunteer house with dorm rooms offering space for up to 22 people. There is a shared kitchen, bathroom and social area. You will be provided with bedding. Accommodation is basic and it is your duty to keep your living area clean - as you are living in a jungle area with animals it is a particular problem if you do not clean up food and mess after yourselves. Food is provided by the project but you must cook your own meals.
161 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY 10013
TEL 212.924.0446
FAX 212.924.0575
www.InterExchange.org
Amazon Animal Rescue Centre
This center 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, some were rescued from animal dealers who were trying to traffic the animals out of the country and others have been removed from families who had kept these animals in captivity. Unfortunately the majority have suffered some sort of physical or psychological abuse. Some of the animals have been handed over to the care of the center by Government authorities who have rescued or taken custody of the animals; others have arrived at the centre by voluntary means from families who have realized that wild animals are not to be kept as domestic pets. There are currently at least 35 different species of animals at the center including oncilla, tayra, capybara, parrots, monkeys, tortoises, and caimans. The center is also open for tourists paying a small entrance fee, which serves as the center’s main 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 being to educate local and foreign visitors about animal protection issues. This project offers a unique opportunity for volunteers to work for and protect a large number of wild animals while living in a beautiful part of the Amazon rainforest.
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES Volunteers are needed to help in the following activities: `Day to day care of the animals `Cutting fruit, preparation of diets, feeding the animals `Helping new arrivals adjust to the center `General maintenance and cleaning `Construction work; repairing and building new enclosures `Cage and enclosure enrichment `Assisting the vet when necessary `Guiding and educating tourists about the center’s work `Other activities such as gardening, improving trails, making signs for visitors
WORK SCHEDULE You will work from 8am to 1pm and 2:30pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, volunteers work for a few hours in the morning as the animals still need feeding and looking after but once all the tasks are completed you are free for the weekend.
LOCATION This project is located 10 minutes from the jungle town of Puyo. From Quito by bus it takes approximately 5 hours to reach.
ACCOMMODATION There is a volunteer house with dorm rooms offering space for up to 14 people in total. There is a shared kitchen, bathroom and social area with TV and DVD player. You will be provided with bedding and will even have access to a swimming pool, for which there is an additional cost of $5.00 per week. Accommodation is basic and it is your duty to keep your living area clean.
161 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY 10013
TEL 212.924.0446
FAX 212.924.0575
www.InterExchange.org
WORKING ABROAD Volunteer in Ecuador Wildlife Project List
Monkey Sanctuary
This center is located in an isolated area of the Ecuadorian rainforest. It was established in 2006 and works in rescuing, rehabilitating and when possible releasing animals back to their natural environment. The center works in partnership with the Ecuadorian Environmental Police (UPMA) and the Ministry of Environment in the fight against trafficking, abuse, capture and hunting of wild animals. Animal welfare is not often a high priority for many Ecuadorians and many do not understand the problems associated with keeping wild animals as domestic pets. In such circumstances the animals often become depressed/ aggressive and as a result are neglected and abused. Many of the animals arriving at the center have been mistreated, and have physical and/or psychological injuries. The rescue center covers an area of over 100 hectares on the land of the Alvarez Guatactuca family. This is a Quichua family whose ancestral line over this land and area stems back hundreds of years. As a family-run rescue center, they have a great understanding of the local community, their culture and the plight of their native wild animals. What started as a small center for monkeys has expanded to a center that, at the request of the Government, now takes in all types of wild animals. This is therefore a great opportunity to work not only with monkeys but with a variety of exotic animals. There are currently over 50 animals at the center including primates (squirrel, titi and capuchin monkeys) mammals (peccaries, coati, tayra, kinkajou, margay), reptiles (tortoises) and birds (turkey, parrots and macaws). The center is dedicated to helping the local community in many ways, not only in contracting their local services to help the local economy, but also in educational programs working closely with the local school to teach children the importance of environmental issues.
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES Volunteers are needed to help in the following activities: `Day to day care of the animals `Cutting up fruit, preparation of diets, feeding the animals `Helping new arrivals adjust to the center `General maintenance and cleaning `Construction work; repairing and building new enclosures `Daily hikes to pick fruits for the animals and also to harvest yucca, corn, sugar cane or cocoa. `Additional activities:
The center is dedicated to finding ways to provide the chance of a good life to the animals in their care (this includes basic things such as providing them with a suitable diet which in so many cases they never had during their time in captivity) and where possible run effective, science based rehabilitation programs to help in the process of returning them to their natural environment. As a volunteer, you will also be able to help in this effort. For example, as most animals living in the wild spend a big part of their day searching in order to find food or refuge, these are the types of behaviors that have to be encouraged so that animals at the center do not loose these skills. Volunteers can help by using their imagination to build a toy or game for the animal and then observe how it uses it and in what way it benefits the animal. This work is invaluable to the animals to relieve the boredom of their captivity and to maintain their natural predatory instincts. In addition to animal welfare, if you wish you can also be involved in the local Environmental Education Program, where you can help prepare lessons twice a month dedicated to a specific environment issue. The sessions take place at the Juan León Mera School, based just in front of the center. The children are between the ages of 6 and 12 years and in these classes the idea is to help the younger generation understand the importance of ecosystems as a whole (including all the living beings who are part of them) and the role of natural resources.
WORK SCHEDULE You will work Monday to Friday from 8am to 12:30pm and 2:30pm to 5pm. On Saturdays the volunteers work for a couple of hours to clean the 161 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY 10013
TEL 212.924.0446
FAX 212.924.0575
www.InterExchange.org
WORKING ABROAD Volunteer in Ecuador Wildlife Project List
volunteer house and kitchen, and feed the animals (ending around 10:30 am) then they are free for the weekend.
LOCATION This project is located close to Arajuno, approximately 1 hour from the nearest town of Puyo, in an isolated area. Travelling by bus from Quito it will take you approximately 6 hours to reach the center.
ACCOMMODATION There is a volunteer house with dorm rooms offering space for up to 22 people. There is a shared kitchen, bathroom and social area. You will be provided with bedding. Accommodation is basic and it is your duty to keep your living area clean - as you are living in a jungle area with animals it is a particular problem if you do not clean up food and mess after yourselves. Food is provided by the project but you must cook your own meals.
161 Sixth Avenue, New York, NY 10013
TEL 212.924.0446
FAX 212.924.0575
www.InterExchange.org
