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Excellent 4.86rating (36)
  • Life On Land

Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue Center

location
1 - 20 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Help with animal care, feeding, cleaning, rehabilitation, rescue and release of animals.
  • Educate tourists and local people about rehabilitation and release during the tours multiple times a day!
  • Improve the sanctuary by showing initiative and being creative.

Highlights

  • Help with animal care, feeding, cleaning, rehabilitation, rescue and release of animals.
  • Educate tourists and local people about rehabilitation and release during the tours multiple times a day!
  • Improve the sanctuary by showing initiative and being creative.
  • Visit San Jose or go hiking to nearby waterfalls or beaches.
  • Get hands-on experience in the field of animal rescue and find out if it is for you!
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Would you like to work in a wildlife sanctuary? And do you have a passion for wild animals and exotic nature? Then this project is perfect for you!

    Green Life Volunteers currently works with a sanctuary located in Alajuela (Central Valley) near San Jose.

    As a volunteer on the wildlife rescue center you will help with the animal care, feeding, cleaning, rehabilitation, rescue, and release of animals. The mission of the wildlife sanctuaries in ...

    About the program

    Green Life Volunteers currently works with a sanctuary located in Alajuela (Central Valley) near San Jose.

    As a volunteer on the wildlife rescue center you will help with the animal care, feeding, cleaning, rehabilitation, rescue, and release of animals. The mission of the wildlife sanctuaries in Costa Rica is to give the animals time to heal from their injuries and when they are ready, they will be released back into the wild. Some of the animals will be in the sanctuary for their entire life because they would not survive or they are too domestic.

    The wildlife sanctuary wants to provide a quality of life to the resident animals. The animals that are generally in sanctuaries in Costa Rica are sloths, raccoons, squirrels, macaws, parrots, anteaters, bird raptors, monkeys, toucans, and many more. Usually, the wildlife sanctuaries receive their donations from the entry fees of visitors.

    Wildlife Sanctuary Alajuela: The wildlife sanctuary in Alajuela has been moved from its original location in Limon. They have many different animals and believe firmly in rehabilitation and releasing animals. The sanctuary offers volunteer housing right on the property – shared mixed dormitory-type accommodation. Meals are prepared and cooked for volunteers.

     Volunteers responsibilities include:

    •       Preparing specific food mixtures for the animals
    •       Providing food, water and other nutrients to the animals
    •       Assist in the general maintenance and cleaning the enclosures, etc.
    •       Various maintenance work for the facility in general
    •       Giving tours to the visitors
    •       Becoming an animal handler
    Green life volunteers' position
    Green Life Volunteers expects volunteers and interns to respect the areas in which you are working as well as your project leaders, members of the community, and other volunteers/ interns. In case you are experiencing troubles or conflicts, we'd rather know sooner than later if there is anything that is not working for you and we want to make you as comfortable as possible. Having said that, we cannot stress enough that flexibility and being positive and open-minded will go a long way in ensuring an enjoyable volunteer or intern experience.

    Green Life Volunteers is available if you have any issues or need any help during your project. We are located in Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula. However, you can always call or email us. We take good customer service very seriously, and we want you to feel comfortable from the beginning till the end of your time in Costa Rica. We will provide you with a 24-hour emergency number that you can call from your project site in case you need to speak to a Green Life Volunteers staff. Our staff will check in on you throughout your stay. We will make sure no miscommunication errors are happening and we are there to explain and solve problems.

    We will also help you during your sign-up process to arrange your transport and arrival in San Jose! We will help you arrange airport shuttle pick-ups to the project location, or book a hostel for the first night, if preferred. 

    Typical day

    During your volunteer time, you will work for 5 days a week, for around 7-8 hours a day. Volunteers can work more hours during their time, if they desire. Different types of activities that are done during the day can be found in the detailed description.

    Meals are prepared for you three times a ...

    Typical day

    During your volunteer time, you will work for 5 days a week, for around 7-8 hours a day. Volunteers can work more hours during their time, if they desire. Different types of activities that are done during the day can be found in the detailed description.

    Meals are prepared for you three times a day. Work will start early, with feeding the animals and cleaning the cages. Provided is an example of the daily schedule:
    6:30 am - Fruits and coffee
    7:00 am - Pre-work begins
    8:00 am - Breakfast ie. Gallo Pinto, Eggs, Pancakes
    9:00 am - Morning work
    12:00 pm - Lunch
    1:30 pm - Daily meeting
    2:00 pm - Afternoon work
    6:00 pm - Dinner
    7:00 pm - Night activities including but not limited to dance lessons, Spanish classes, yoga, karaoke, movie night, and bon fire

    There are multiple teams with different types of schedules. Examples are:
    - 7 am to 11 am and 2 pm to 6 pm
    - 6 am to 2 pm
    - 2 pm to 10 pm

    Free-time activities

    The wildlife sanctuary we work with is located in Alajuela, close to San José. It is therefore very easy to travel to San José and go sightseeing in Costa Rica's lively capital city!

    The wildlife rescue center also offers multiple free-time activities. There are weekly tours to different tourist ...

    Free-time activities

    The wildlife sanctuary we work with is located in Alajuela, close to San José. It is therefore very easy to travel to San José and go sightseeing in Costa Rica's lively capital city!

    The wildlife rescue center also offers multiple free-time activities. There are weekly tours to different tourist destinations throughout the country. The tours include, but are not limited to, Jaco Beach where you can ride ATV’s and do Canopy Tours (zip lines), Manuel Antonio National Park where you can tour the rainforest or relax on the beach, the Monteverde Cloud Forest where you can enjoy the hanging bridges, and Arenal Volcano where you can submerge yourself in the warm, beautiful hot springs.

    The day of your tour you will wake up early and enjoy breakfast before jumping into one of the private buses. We will provide you with a lunch to take along and we will save you dinner for when you arrive back home safely. The pricing for transportation does vary and is announced at the beginning of the week.

    The Rescue Center charges a transportation fee but the tours are paid directly by you to the tour companies once you arrive at your destination. The tours are fun, safe, and will give you an up-close and exciting view of our amazing country and experience life as you never have before. They will leave you with lifelong memories.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    An ideal volunteer on the ‘Wildlife Sanctuary’ project has a passion for wild and exotic animals and their exotic nature. Also, the volunteer has to enjoy physical labor and being outside. You do not need a degree for this project.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 06:00 - 14:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    An organizational fee is included in the first week’s fee and covers the “behind the scenes costs”, such as staff salaries, office space rental, transaction and bank fees, and more. Our weekly fee for additional weeks covers the costs of your host family and food, the local staff on your project, and a donation to help with the daily running costs of the program you will help on.

    Not included in our fee are:
    • Your first and last night in San Jose in a hostel
    • Travel to and from the international airport (airport shuttles are around 30$ each way to San Jose - We can set this up for you, just ask us during sign-up)
    • Travel to the project site (usually by public buses, which are from around 10-16$ one way)
    • National/ International flights
    • Travel insurance
    • Visa costs
    • Any additional food or snacks besides the meals provided
    • Extra-curricular activities

    Accommodation

    The wildlife sanctuary offers shared mixed-gender dormitory-style accommodations with bunk beds or single beds for their volunteers. There is a shared volunteer house with a shared kitchen and common areas.

    The rooms are very safe and comfortable, with just 4 persons per room and the option to upgrade to a tiki-hut.

    Food & Beverages

    At the Alajuela rescue center meals are prepared for you, 3 times a day, breakfast lunch and dinner. It is possible to get vegetarian, vegan, and/or gluten-free meals. Any other allergies, just let us and them know!

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    You can start this project anytime, whenever is convenient for you! We don't have specific start dates, because this volunteering program is year-round.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $456 per week 1 - 20 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    1 - 20 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet

    4.86
    ・
    36 reviews

    •
    2024
    I spent the first morning with a staff member building a steel bed frame so I would have a bed. They did outfit the bed very nicely for me ...

    Location

    Americas > Central America > Costa Rica > Alajuela

    Meet your project coordinator

    Janina
    36
    reviews
    4.86
    Excellent
    2012
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
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    Volunteer Abroad  >  Animals  >  Wildlife Conservation in Costa Rica
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