About the program
We are always looking for motivated volunteers who would love to help the animals at the center. It would be a pleasure to welcome you. The project is located in Puyo, in 2 hectares of primary forest and we welcome injured and orphaned animals, mostly monkeys. We have about 150 animals with seven species of monkeys, costis or cuchuchos, parrots, turtles, wild rodents and pigs and the first serpentarium in the province for the rescue of snakes.
The "El Paseo de los Monos" shelter functions as an adoption center: orphans are placed in family groups according to species. The objective is to transfer the monkey troops to a virgin forest land near Sangay National Park with the corresponding research and previous studies carried out by scientists.
We have a great dream, to acquire an extension of territory, free of hunters, deforestation, invasion and urban growth. The chronogram is as follows:
- By the land we have already visited.
- Build infrastructure for the animals and the people responsible for monitoring the project.
- Mobilization of the animals.
- Follow-up and monitoring of the troops by scientists.
This center will be designed to receive all types of animals living in zoos and dispersed centers or other wildlife centers.
FIRST DAYS
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed, shown to your room, and introduced to your fellow residents. One of our long-time volunteers will give you a tour of the center and its facilities. We will introduce you to the animals and the enclosures (most animals live in large, semi-open areas of native forest, while others roam freely) and explain how the center operates. We will provide you with all the necessary tools for the various tasks, and you will have the opportunity to practice with the staff. We will also explain our rules and regulations regarding interaction with the animals. The safety of the volunteers, staff, and animals is paramount to us, as we work with wild animals. No volunteer may enter an enclosure with a group of animals alone and, if necessary, will always be accompanied by one of the caretakers.
Regular days
Once you arrive and are settled in, we'll let you know that you'll be helping five days a week, from 8:10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. You'll have one day off to explore the Amazon. On Sundays, all volunteers will only help until 11:00 a.m., so you'll have the rest of the day to explore Puyo during its market day, visit the traditional indigenous and artisan market, stroll along the boardwalk, and have lunch with your new friends in town. We don't cook in the town center on Sundays, as it's the day we receive the most visitors.
Please note that all volunteers must arrive on time, as the animals are waiting for their food. Each volunteer has one day off per week, which is scheduled at the beginning of the week to ensure there are enough volunteers working each day. Since we want all volunteers to participate in all project tasks, you'll rotate between cooking, washing dishes, and cleaning the facilities, for everyone's convenience.
Working with the animals
The day begins at 8:00 a.m. with the distribution of tasks. The team organizes groups responsible for setting up the facilities, while another group prepares and disinfects the food, feeds the animals, provides any necessary treatment (with experienced personnel), observes the animals, and checks that the enclosures are properly closed and inspected for repairs. It is important that the animals are fed and have fresh water before 9:00 a.m.
For the animals' well-being, any unusual behavior must be observed and reported to the caretakers. Therefore, one of the most important tasks is to closely observe each animal within the shelter.
The food storage area, feeders, cages, and also the volunteers' living quarters (kitchen, bathroom, etc.) must always be disinfected and clean for the safety of the people working on the program and the animals. The Ministry of Environment, Health, or Tourism may conduct inspections at any time.
The animals' second feeding, which we call their snack, is a treat of fresh bananas, boiled eggs, or meat distributed to our little ones. This activity begins at 2:30 PM.
The day ends when all the animals have been fed and cared for, and their enclosures are free of food scraps.
All the volunteers help transport and organize the vegetables in the food storage area. Fresh fruits and vegetables arrive from the main market on Wednesdays, bananas arrive on Fridays, and you can enjoy them too.
Working with tourists
Visitors arrive daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Volunteers learn how to greet visitors and provide instructions in the center's reception area. They can also help supervise and ensure that visitors do not touch or feed the animals during the tour. Bringing food, medicine, valuables, or dangerous items into the animal area is prohibited, as the animals might steal them, which would be harmful to them.
Our volunteers are also a great help in our new artisanal souvenir shop, where we offer beautiful items whose sales provide us with additional income for our mission.
It is important to keep the park trails clean, as some tourists may have inadvertently left trash behind, which could endanger the animals and the rainforest.
