The Issue
The Amazon Rainforest is commonly known as the lungs of our earth, so it is very alarming, that the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest continues to increase year after year. Wildlife suffers from habitat destruction and illegal animal traps set by poachers. It is frightening to imagine that more than 15.000 unique animal and plant species, including monkeys, reptiles, exotic birds, and wild cats that characterize Ecuador as one of the world’s most biologically diverse countries, could one day just not be there any more! At this wildlife volunteer project in Ecuador, you will be able to help protect and rehabilitate precious Amazonian wildlife.
The Location
This project is located in the Amazon Region, about five hours away from Quito, in the Pastaza province. It provides a unique opportunity to actively work in an animal rehabilitation program with exotic animals. The animal rescue center is located in the middle of the settlement Colonia Bolivar, 35 kilometers outside the city of Puyo.
Puyo is located in the province of Pastaza in the beautiful east of the country. It is a small colonial town with about 30,000 inhabitants. The infrastructure of the city is relatively well developed and it is mainly visited by tourists who want to explore the Amazon region. The nearest village to the rescue station is called El Triunfo and can be reached by bus in about 15 minutes. There are small shops selling the most important things.
The surroundings of the sanctuary offer a breathtaking panorama, indescribably beautiful scenery and picture-perfect waterfalls. Despite the location in the rainforest, the heat is tolerable. The temperatures are pleasant and at night it cools off.
The Placement
The main goal of this volunteer project is to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals that have lived in inappropriate environments (e.g. in small cages in private households, kept as tourist attractions, etc.) or that have fallen victim to animal trafficking or mistreatment. Unfortunately, most animals are in life-threatening and absolutely frightening conditions.
The most commonly trafficked groups of animals are primates, birds, and reptiles. The project works in close collaboration with the Environmental Police (UPMA) and the Ministry of Environment. Having been in operation since 2006, the leaders of the initiative dispose of several hectares of primary Amazon forest, where they built the rescue center. Volunteers only work at the rescue center itself, which is located in a safe area. The station cares lovingly to rehabilitate the animals and to take care of them. Animals are brought to the project site by the Environmental Police or others that are committed to protecting wildlife.
You will work directly with the animals and can experience nature and exotic wildlife up close. With your work, you make a great contribution to the protection and preservation of Ecuadorian wildlife. The project cooperates with native Indian communities of the Amazon rainforest.
As a volunteer in this project, you should be an animal lover and have a strong desire to work with and understand animals. You are responsible for the welfare and daily care of the animals. This does not mean that the animals only need to be fed. It also means cleaning and maintaining the enclosures. The center is always striving to improve the living conditions of the animals and to provide them with a pleasant habitat despite their captivity.
