Animal Rehabilitation & Rainforest Conservation
Coordinator | Frank
Coordinator | Frank
¡Reserva con la opción Flex!
Elija nuevas fechas de salida o cambie a un programa de voluntariado diferente sin costes adicionales.
Puntos Salientes
Experience living in the Amazon rain forest!
Help illegally trafficked wildlife get back on their feet!
Learn about wildlife and animal care
Share the untangible magic of Merazonia with a select few other volunteers
Banos and other tourist attractions nearby on free days
Merazonia combines passion for nature with a professional approach on animal care and release, along with rainforest conservation.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Solteros y solteras
Parejas
Grupos
Merazonia is a dynamic rescue and rehabilitation centre in the Amazon basin of Ecuador, elected three times in a row as best rescue centre of South America by GHP magazine. We are currently caring for about 100 animals, including: capuchin, tamarin, red howler and woolly monkeys; many species of parrots and macaws; kinkajous and other small mammals (such as anteaters); and sometimes felines.
Because rehabilitation is an important part of what we do, the group of animals we look after often changes, with animals being released or moved to other refuges, depending on the care and environment they need.
In general we have around 10 to 15 volunteers from all over the world at any one time. Minimum stay is 3 weeks. From June until August the minimum stay is 4 weeks.
Rehabilitation
Merazonia has a strict hands off policy for most of
its animals! As we try to focus on rehabilitation, it is very important
to minimize any human interaction with the animals, as this is the first
vital step towards their rehabilitation.
Most volunteers stay in our 6-sided jungle abode, which consists of a large dorm-style room, housing up to 11 volunteers. There are some other facilities available for longer term volunteers. There is also a large deck area to lounge on the sofa or in hammocks. Our bathroom facilities are next to the volunteer house, and consist of composting toilets and our famously hot showers. As of November 2022, Merazonia has an exciting addition: solar power! This means you can keep your devices charged and enjoy lights in the volunteer house when the sun goes down.
There is no WiFi at Merazonia, but the mobile phone reception is good. If you buy a phone chip with data, you'll have internet access, even in the jungle.
People make their own breakfast and lunch, but take turns in preparing the communal dinner.
Be preparedIn the Amazon, the weather runs from brilliantly sunny to downright wet (it is the rainforest), so we recommend rain gear and clothes you can layer (and liquorice or chocolate if you really want to get in good with the managers). We provide gum boots and working clothes, as well as linen and blankets. Volunteres recommend bringing extra socks and a power bank. There is no electricity in the centre but we provide candles. A flashlight or headlight is necessary for the dark jungle nights.
Long-termThe longer people stay, the smoother the centre runs. That is why our fees are lower when more time is spent at the centre. Occasionally we have openings for long-term volunteers to help us with training new volunteers and the day to day running of the park. People who we have worked with before, or have been here for a while, take priority.
Conservación de Osos
Actividades
Conservación de Monos
Conservación de Leopardus
Conservación de Pumas
Santuario de Pereza
Hotspots
Kinkajou
Yoga
Woolly Monkey
Ocelote
Tamarin
Puma Costarricense
Mono Capuchino
Pereza de tres Dedos
Selva Amazónica
Howler Monkeys
Typical day
Animal Care
Animal care is rewarding work but certainly not a picnic in the park. We feed the animals three times per day. The feeding rounds take between 2 to 3 hours each time. In the morning, we gather at 7:30 a.m. to prepare the animals’ food, and then we divide into groups to clean different animal cages and feed the animals.
Park maintenance
After the feeding, we take time to prepare breakfast and get ready for the rest of the day. Some people will feed the parrots and nocturnal animals, while others are on projects such as animal life enrichment, general park maintenance and chores.
Lunch is around 1:30 pm. We gather to feed the mammals again at 3 pm, after which there is time to hang out with other volunteers, enjoy the scenery, swim at the waterfall or river, or relax in a hammock.
Volunteer's work
Volunteers work 5 1/2 days per week, alternating free days. Sundays are so called ‘lazy Sundays’ in which we feed the animals only once a day and do chores, but no other work is done, leaving plenty of time to relax or enjoy the surroundings.
Free-time activities
Baños
Many volunteers spend their free days in Baños, dubbed ‘a slice of heaven on earth’ for its stunning beauty and relaxing ambience. This town at an hour from Mera has a friendly feel to it with many restaurants, coffee shops and bars. But it also offers a lot of activities like: warm water springs, bike rides, canyoning, rafting and zip lining.
Mera
Mera is located where the Andes meet the Amazon. The World Wildlife Fund has called the area from Baños to Mera, “A Gift to the Earth” because of its beauty and biological importance to the region. The town borders the Pastaza River Valley between the national parks Sangay and Llanganates that provide an important biological corridor linking the two protected areas.
Jungle village
Mera itself is a small and friendly jungle village nestled amid mountains, rivers, and rainforest. Sharing a beer with a friendly villager can be as charming as the abundant nature. Surrounding Mera there are caves to explore, rivers to swim in and hikes to venture on.
Water Sports
Swimming
Climbing
Hiking
Sports
Riding
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requisitos
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.
You need to speak English (basic level)
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Passion for animals
People that like to work in construction are also very welcome!
Occasionally we look for people to help us with our social media content too.
People that like to work in construction are also very welcome!
Occasionally we look for people to help us with our social media content too.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
from
07:30
- 17:00
Servicios incluidos
Merazonia does not receive any government funding. For the wellbeing of the animals we do not receive tourists in the centre either. Therefore, we depend on volunteer fees to cover the basic costs of running the centre. Fees cover lodging and food. It also includes a contribution to medical supplies and animal food. For those staying longer, fees gradually go down.
The longer people stay, the smoother the centre runs. That is why our fees are lower when more time is spent at the centre. Occasionally, we have openings for long-term volunteers to help us with training new volunteers and the day to day running of the park. People who we have worked with before, or have been here for a while, take priority.
Most volunteers stay in our 6-sided jungle abode, which consists of a large dorm-style room, housing up to 11 volunteers. When staying longer they often move to a cabin that generally houses long term volunteers once a spot opens up. There is also a large deck area where we usually eat our meals, relax in hammocks, or strike up a game of cards. Our bathroom facilities are next to the volunteer house, and consist of composting toilets and our famously hot showers.
Our fees include food and accommodation. Volunteers will have to buy luxury products (such as sodas, alcohol, chocolate, etc.) by themselves.
People make their own breakfast and lunch, but take turns in preparing the communal dinner and/or help cleaning up.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.
The nearest airport is Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ecuador.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ecuador provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Ecuador you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ecuador.
Fechas y Costos
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Arrival on Monday or Thursday afternoons.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
3 - 50 weeks
Program fees
3 weeks
(min. stay)
$525
4 weeks
$690
5 weeks
$840
9 weeks
$1.365
50 weeks
(max. stay)
$6.490
Average fees
$152
/week
Tenga en cuenta que los honorarios arriba indicados son estimados.
Merazonia
le hará saber el precio final durante el proceso de solicitud.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Merazonia during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Por qué reservar con Volunteer World
Volunteer World es la principal plataforma de comparación de oportunidades de voluntariado internacional. Te guiamos a través de un
proceso de solicitud
- incluyendo todos los pagos necesarios. La planificación de tu próximo viaje significativo con Volunteer World te da acceso gratuito a nuestra:
Garantía de calidad
Altos estándares éticos & impacto social transparente
Opción Flex
Cambie tu reservación sin costos adicionales
Garantía de reembolso
Reembolsamos tus honorarios si Merazonia cancela tu viaje
Ayudar & Mediación
Cubrimos tu espalda sin importar lo que pase
Nuestros servicios son gratuitos!
Todas las tarifas del programa se cobran directamente por Merazonia.
What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Animal Rehabilitation & Rainforest Conservation
Merazonia combines passion for nature with a professional approach on animal care and release, along with rainforest conservation.
$152/week
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