Volunteer at a Refuge for Birds and Other Animals
This project is located in Quillacollo, a place 45 minutes away from Cochabamba. Several bird species and also other animals live here, such as parrots, owls, eagles, flamingos, toucans, monkeys, reptiles, ocelotes, foxes and turtles. The animals have been (illegally) traded or kept as pets. The animals come from different backgrounds, but they have one thing in common: they have lost their freedom because of humans. The animal recognizes the human as guardian and feeder, and loses its ability to recognize its enemies and select its food in a natural environment. This makes reintegration into their natural environment impossible.
This shelter gives the animals a second chance. Many of them can no longer be released into the wild and have become dependent on humans. It is possible for some animals to live in semi-freedom, but unfortunately this is not the case for all. As a result, extra hands are always needed from volunteers to take care of these animals. As a volunteer you help with cleaning the enclosures and paths in the park, preparing the food, or devising activities to keep the animals mentally occupied. Sometimes repairs are also necessary. Depending on your level of Spanish and experience, you may assist the veterinarian or guide groups in the park. Exactly what your day looks like depends on where the help is most needed at that moment. Your tasks and activities are therefore completely adapted to the needs of the animals.
It is hard work and you often make long days here, but the days give a lot of satisfaction. In this sustainable project you can really make a difference for the animals, because everything is done and organized by the shelter itself. They find financial self-reliance important and are therefore dependent on volunteers in many aspects. Your help thus ensures that this project can continue to exist!
Due to new rules and regulations made by the project owner, the volunteer must buy his/her own project t-shirt and should bring (or buy) good working shoes and gloves.
