Indigenous Wildlife Rescue Supporter

The program

This essential program works to save Costa Rica’s wildlife that is facing a crisis of epic proportions. Development, agriculture, illegal exotic animal trade and contamination are just a few of the issues that affect wildlife and many species are under threat. Volunteers on this fantastic program will spend time working in animal rescue centers aimed at helping endangered species and wildlife in general. The work here is hands on with volunteers involved in feeding duties, enrichment, cleaning and all the tasks required to run a wildlife rescue center. Hurt, displaced, abandoned and sick animals are rescued by the centers, brought back for care, then if possible, released back into a safe native environment on completion of their rehabilitation. Close contact and handling of animals to be released is kept to an absolute minimum.

It will be hard and physical work at times, and volunteers must be prepared to work hard and get a little dirty! It will however be extremely rewarding as volunteers see first-hand how they are making a real difference to the lives of these wonderful creatures. Extra hands are always needed, and greatly appreciated at wildlife centers which are underfunded and greatly under resourced. 

Goals of this Project:

• Work to save the lives of vulnerable animals
• Improve the prospects of the indigenous animals of Costa Rica
• Learn about the animals of Costa Rica and ultimately how to protect them
• Assist with educating the public about animal welfare
• Create an environment that enables different cultures to work together with the goal of saving animal lives.

How you can help

This program truly gives volunteers the chance to experience a wildlife program working with some of the most amazing creatures on earth. Volunteers will meet new friends, learn a huge amount about Costa Rica’s native species and about caring for animals and wildlife centres – all while experiencing the amazing culture and landscapes of this stunning country. And there’s the feeling of satisfaction for volunteers of knowing they’ve worked hard to help the lives of individual animals and the continuation of the species in general.

Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:

• Clean animal enclosures/compounds
• Animal feeding duties
• Animal enrichment tasks
• Assist with rehabilitation and release efforts 
• Assist with animal emergencies as required 
• Maintain animal shelters and the property in general 
• Planting and gardening activities
• Construct and improve animal environments

As with all of our Animal Welfare Programs, physical interaction between humans and wild animals is restricted. Please remember these are rescue centers, not petting zoos. 

A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours, normally 6 days a week and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

6:00am Morning animal feeding duties

Volunteers can be part of the morning feeding ritual once they have settled in (normally at least 3 days into the placement).

8:00am Breakfast

8:30am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START

A tea break at around 10:30am and lunch between 12 and 1pm are normally fitted into the busy schedule but often the timing of breaks will change based on the needs of the local staff and number of volunteers on hand.

1:00pm Afternoon animal feeding duties

Volunteers can be part of the afternoon feeding ritual once they have settled in (normally at least 3 days into the placement).

3:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END 

Afternoons and evenings are free time to relax with fellow volunteers. Dinner is typically ready by 5pm.

Volunteers on this project are primarily placed at a fantastic Wildlife Sanctuary in Alajuela Province, just 30mins west of San Jose.

Due to the nature of this project, volunteers stay on-site at the Rescue Centre which is somewhat remote. Afternoons and evenings are generally spent on-site relaxing after a hard days work.  Weekends offer the opportunity to explore further afield and the local staff will be happy to recommend activities and help with bookings.