Deforestation and animal trafficking in Costa Rica has rendered wildlife more vulnerable than ever. You can com help local nature regenerate and integrate back to nature.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
The objective of the volunteer project at the animal center in Costa Rica is to collaborate in the rehabilitation, conservation and reincorporation of wildlife into their natural habitat.
With this international volunteer program you will learn aspects related to the ethology of animal species, contribute to the protection of animals and help reduce the negative impact created mainly by human activity, promoting awareness in the care of animals and their habitat.
Volunteer work focuses on environmental issues as well as animal care and protection. Activities may vary according to the needs generated in the program. Volunteers may perform daily routines such as:
- Animal care.
- Maintenance and cleaning of enclosures.
- Providing animal welfare and learning how to handle them avoiding their domestication, so that they can be successfully reintroduced into the wild.
- Daily feeding of animals (twice a day). For the feeding of the most dangerous animals, the volunteers will be accompanied by the personal manager of the center.
- Cleaning of green areas.
- Support in environmental enrichment programs.
- Tree planting.
- Production of crops and composting (when available).
- Construction of natural structures for animals.
- Animal care with veterinarians. Requires prior training, provided at no additional cost and is only available on certain occasions or seasons.
- You will also collaborate as a guide in the Ecotourism program. This activity requires previous training, provided at no additional cost.
Some of the animals you will be able to help at our center are:
- Birds: yellow and red-capped parrot, blue-headed parrot, white-crowned parrot, green-winged macaw, eclectus parrot, African grey parrot, catano parrot, bicolor toucan, sun conure, hyacinth macaw, alba cockatoo, red, blue, green and yellow macaw.
- Felines: margay, ocelot, puma.
- Turtles: yellow-footed tortoise, sulcata tortoise.
- Monkeys: marmoset monkey, marmoset monkey, spider monkey.
- Herbivorous animals: tapir, white-tailed deer.
The program is carried out within the animal care center in San Carlos. We work from Monday to friday, all year round.
- The activities usually start between 9:00 and 13:00 hours, there is usually a break for lunch and then work resumes.
- The volunteer has one day off per week, being able to leave the animal care center to discover what Costa Rica has to offer, or go to nearby countries such as Panama or Nicaragua.
Costa Rica is a country with great biodiversity in flora and fauna. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It has recognized provinces and unique characteristics such as:
- Limón
- Puntarenas
- Guanacaste
- And its capital San José.
In these places you can find a wide range of activities including:
- Tours to natural parks
- Volcano climbing
- Sea turtle watching
- Being surrounded by nature
- Beautiful beaches
Because of its very welcoming and friendly people, it is considered one of the happiest countries in the world.