Indigenous Wildlife Rescue Supporter

The program

This fabulous project was developed to simply save animal lives. Costa Rica has an abundance of indigenous animal life, home to thousands of species of unique and amazing creatures. Unfortunately animals are vulnerable to the encroaching human world, illegal activity and their natural environments devastated. Animal victims of repossession, loss of habitat and accidents are constantly brought in by local officials and members of the general public from all corners of the country. Many are able to be nursed back to health, and once fully rehabilitated, are released back into their natural habitat. The groups of animals rescued and cared for are mainly primates, birds, and reptiles, and can include Tapirs, Sloths, Toucans, Spider Monkeys, Green and Scarlet Macaws, Turtles, Snakes, Crocodiles and even a few different species of indigenous felines.

Sadly, none of the Rescue Centres in the program receive any ongoing government funding, relying heavily on donations from the public and the generous contribution of volunteers, both national and international, to keep them operational. This program plays a significant role is helping these important rescue centres continue their wonderful work by supplying a willing volunteer labor force to assist them.

Goals of this Project:

• Work to save the lives of vulnerable animals
• Improve the future prospects of the indigenous animals of Costa Rica
• Research the animals of Costa Rica to learn more about their lives and ultimately, how to protect them
• Create an environment that enables different cultures to work together with the goal of saving animal lives.

How you can help

Volunteers on this project play an essential role in the care of the rescued animals and their contribution is invaluable. Like many conservation programs, funds are greatly lacking, and a willing volunteer labor force is essential to the success of the projects. A volunteers work day is normally between four - six hours per day, five days per week, and while the work can be physically demanding, it is also tremendously rewarding. Volunteers on this program must have a flexible and positive attitude, as work schedules can and do change according to the needs of each rescue centre.

No two days are ever the same on this project. Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:

• Work closely with animals - mostly endangered species
• Clean animal enclosures/compounds
• Feed animals – including bottle feeding infant animals
• Exercise the younger animals
• Assist in emergency medical treatment when required
• Collect leaves and other resources from the rainforest
• Assist in rescue calls when required
• Maintain paths, signs and other infrastructure
• Build, repair and maintain the animal enclosures.

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

7:00am Breakfast in the communal area

8:15am Pre-start meeting with project supervisor

8:30am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START

A tea break and lunch break will be fitted in during the day, but often the timing of breaks will change based on the needs of the local staff and number of volunteers on hand.

4:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END

Evenings Free time to simply relax, hang out with your fellow volunteers, have dinner together, then relax some more!

This project is available in various locations across Costa Rica. Given the nature of these projects, in most cases they are located in more remote areas and therefore volunteers will spend the majority of their time (including free time) onsite as opportunities to travel offsite may be limited. Where possible though, volunteers can sometimes use free time to travel to a nearby town to explore shops and restaurants, or to explore further afield. Offsite travel options will be discussed with volunteers during their project orientation. This project is a wonderful option for those volunteers who wish to be fully immersed in the astounding nature and beauty that Costa Rica has to offer!