We
will gladly take any of your preferences concerning work areas into consideration
while coordinating and planning your project. However, it is possible that
duties will be changed upon arrival depending on season and the center’s
current demand and needs. Work areas include:
Animal Refugee Center
In
this area, a maximum of two volunteers can make direct contact with the animals
in the refuge station. You will be responsible to take care of
tapirs, peccaries and exotic birds like toucans, macaws, nandus, and parrots.
Work in the Quarantine Area
3 to 4
volunteers are usually assigned to work in the quarantine area where they help
nurture sick animals back to health. This area focuses especially on small
animals that arrive to the center and need extra care and attention from the
volunteers. Naturally, the species in this area of the center change constantly,
as animals who have regained their health are released back into the wild. Most
of the animals in this area include monkeys of different species, exotic birds,
tortoises, and coatis.
Construction
Maintenance
on the park grounds is also a very important task that volunteers can assist
with at the wildlife center. This helps to ensure an optimal
infrastructure for both the animals and staff/volunteers. Duties concerning construction work can
include the restoration and expansion of cages, or the general maintenance of
the centers facilities and pathways. There is always a lot of work to be done on
the 800 hectares of grounds that are part of the center, and you will either be
divided up into small work groups or asked to work on your own. Whether or not
you work alone or with a group depends on the workload of the other areas of
the wildlife center.
Caring for Howler Monkeys
Amongst
other varieties of exotic animals, numerous howler monkeys live at the wildlife
center. This monkey species can only be found in Central and South America, and
their screams wake up the whole camp every morning. :-)
Up
to 4 volunteers can care for the monkeys at the same time. The duties include
feeding and playing with them. There are no boundaries for your creativity, and
new ideas for toys are always welcome. In this area, volunteers have even been
spotted climbing the trees with the monkeys!
Working with Wild Felines
If
you’ve always wanted to play with a wild feline, this is your chance of making your
wish come true! The wildlife center is home to wild cougars, jaguars,
Geoffrey’s cats, and ocelots. As a volunteer, you will be assigned to take care
of these wonderful animals. Depending on the season, you may be responsible for
up to three felines yourself (low season) or share your duty with other
volunteers (peak season, 1-3 volunteers per feline). Note: You need to stay minimum 30 days in the project to be able
to work with the felines!
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.
