This
volunteer project in Chile is supervised by a non-profit organization
that aims to protect and preserve the biodiversity of the Chilean
island, Chiloé. This environment protection project was founded in 2009
and now consists of researchers, professors, and volunteers. Private and
public institutions also support it. The project is still developing,
and the facility is still growing in order to take in more animals in
need.
The Chiloé National Park is made up of very diverse marine
life, including the blue whale, sea whale, Chilean dolphins, Peale's
dolphins, sea lions, marine otters, Magellanic penguins, and Humboldt
penguins. Nevertheless, this relatively undisturbed area faces different
threats, such as urban development, habitat degradation, and land /
marine pollution.
Some local animals that suffer from injuries or illnesses cannot survive in their natural habitat, so they are taken in to be cared for at the protection center. Here, they are rehabilitated, and in the best-case scenario, released back into the wild again. Animals such as foxes, eagles, sea lions, sea and land birds, penguins, huemuls, pudus, beavers, small wild cats, and others live at the center (subject to changes at any time!).
The
number of animals in the rehabilitation center depends on the number of
animals that are in need help. Additionally, the organization seeks to
educate the population about topics like environmental and animal
protection.
The volunteers teach children and adults about the
necessity of protecting local flora and fauna and show them examples of
dangers that influence the fragile ecosystem of Chiloé. Furthermore, the
organization engages in direct and concrete measurements that help to
demonstrate the threats. To counteract these problems, the institution
is introducing breeding programs.
In
our animal protection project on the island of Chiloé, you can get to
know and protect the wildlife of southern Chile first-hand. You will
move a lot in the fresh sea air and in the great outdoors and also get
to know and experience the rather simple living conditions of the local
population.
With your volunteer service in benefit of the
protection of the Chiloés fauna, you will take on a variety of tasks,
some of which are exhausting, and you will definitely be tired but happy
at the end of the day.
The working time is between 30 and 40
hours / week. Shift work on the weekend is possible, with the day off
during the week instead.
The tasks are distributed on site as required and may include:
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
The
main island of the Chiloé Archipelago is Chile's second largest island
and is located about 1000 km south of Santiago off the mainland in the
Pacific. Around 170,000 people live here in several cities and villages.
Especially on the east side, there are countless small and smallest
islets, some of which have villages, others are inhabited by only a few
families, while others are not inhabited at all. The main island can be
reached from Puerto Montt with a short flight, or by ferry in about 2
hours.
Chiloé is Chile's island of legends and myths. Many
legends surround this place and if you believe them, Chiloé is home to
mythical creatures and ghosts. The island's very own cuisine, music and
traditions make it a popular holiday destination for Chileans from other
parts of the country who want to discover something "authentic".
Chiloé is famous for its wooden churches, that were built without a single nail and are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A
diverse wildlife, partly untouched nature protected in national and
private parks and many options for hiking, horse riding or kayaking
tours as well as bird watching make the island attractive for nature
lovers. With a portion of luck, you can even watch whales off the
Pacific coast!
Many people in Chiloé live from fishing,
agriculture, handicrafts and tourism. They are friendly and relaxed and
like to tell visitors about their homeland.
The climate in Chiloé
is, as in all of southern Chile, rather harsh and it rains often. The
driest and warmest months are December to February (summer). The
temperatures on Chiloé fluctuate on average between 10 and 20 degrees in
summer and between 5 and 10 degrees in winter.
Our volunteer project in Wildlife Protection on Chiloé Island includes:
Life
on Chiloé is simple and very different from that of Santiago or other
cities in the country. During your time as a volunteer, you will live in
a shared room in the volunteer house right at the project site close to
the sea.
The house is simple and functional. It is secluded, so
it is not suitable for city dwellers who want to have the entertainment
nearby - instead you can really immerse yourself in the world of
"Chilotes" and experience how comforting a simple life can be.
The nearest town, Ancud, can be reached in about 30 minutes by car, the island's capital Castro in about 2.5 hours.
The
volunteer project is self-catering, grocery shopping is usually
organized together and volunteers take shifts with the cooking.
Flexible start and end dates all year-round. Be prepared for cold and rainy weather between May and September.
Wildlife Protection Supporter
Animals that are unable to survive in their natural habitat, are cared for at the protection center. In the best-case scenario, released back into the wild again.
$126/week
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