Programs Abroad

ECUADOR - Animal welfare and Eco-Tourism

	Project: Wildlife and Nature Booking Nº: EC113 Country: Ecuador + Location: Amazon Region, Area of Tena Minimum Stay: 2 months Start dates: All year round Price: 2 months, from 350 USD
More Photos...

Task

Taking care of animals
Feeding animals
Cleaning animals' cages / enclosures
Guiding visitors through the center (in Spanish)

One important part of the volunteer's work is to guide visitors through the center which is financed by entrance fees and donations. Therefore, motivated people who like to guide visitors and tell enthusiastically and interestingly about the center and its animals are required. Of course you will get first a basic course where you will learn everything about the center and the animals. You should however have the talent to handle tourists from all over the world and be patient to answer whatever question they might have about the facilities and animals.

Another main task considers the feeding and taking care of the animals. Not all the animals live freely and can find food by themselves. Some of the animals have to stay in enclosures. They have to be fed and someone has to take care that their enclosures are kept clean and nice. New arriving animals have to be examined and observed very well.

Apart from the main work with the animals, tasks like fixing trails, cutting down branches for enrichment in the enclosures, harvesting bananas etc. have to be fulfilled as well. Volunteers give a hand where they are most needed, and when possible, work in the area they are most interested in. As a volunteer, you work for five days a week, from 7 am until approx. 6 pm. The days off (every volunteer gets two a week) are arranged at the beginning of the week to ensure that enough volunteers are working every day. In the morning volunteers begin the day preparing the food and feeding of the animals. Visitors usually arrive between 9.30 am and 5 pm to participate at the guided tours through the center's area. In the afternoon, the second feeding starts at 1 pm.

Accommodation

Accommodation in volunteer house
Up to 14 volunteers in two different houses
2-bed bedrooms
3 meals per day

The volunteers live together in two different volunteer houses that are connected by a little bridge. There is enough space for up to 14 volunteers who usually visit the center from all over the world. Bedrooms are equipped with 2 beds, so you might share the room with another volunteer. It is really important that you are willing to share the to dos (e.g. cooking, cleaning etc.) in the volunteers' house in order to avoid disagreements with other volunteers. Living together is on the one hand a challenge but on the other hand a great and unforgettable experience. You will get in touch with people from all over the world, other cultures and point of views, what will make your stay to a cultural enrichment and unique experience.

Please note that there is no electricity or telephone and light is given by candles. If you want to call someone by phone, you have to walk to the nearest town, or you need a mobile phone prepared to be used in/bought in Ecuador.

Running water, a shower and a toilet are provided in each house. Clothes have to be washed by hand and detergent is provided.

During the week days two local women prepare lunch for all volunteers. The weekend, volunteers prepare their own lunch. Volunteers are also in charge of preparing their own breakfast and dinner every day, which is always a group effort.

Meals are cocked in each volunteers' house whereas lunch will be enjoyed all together. Food is provided by a truck that comes once a week and brings food that has been ordered the week before. If needed, you may buy drinks (Cola, Beer) from the bar. The water is drinkable, and there are always lemons or other fruits if you want to make juice.

Requirements

Language:
Advanced Spanish skills required. Additionally: English, French or German

Skills:
Preferred: people with education in animal care, natural sciences, veterinarians; motivated people without one of these skills are welcome to join as well.

Age:
18+

Vaccination:
Tetanus, Yellow Fever, Polio. Additionally, please ask for medical advice in your home country.

Insurance:
Full travel & medical insurance for Ecuador.

Visa:
Tourist visa (90 days, not extendable); for longer stays volunteer visa (valid for 6 months).

Details

In 1993, the project has been founded by a Swiss couple that is still running the rehabilitation center. Since October 2008, four people are additionally working at the center as daily managers. The center runs different kinds of projects, one being a lodge to receive eco-tourist, another being the animal rehabilitation center, the biological reserve to protect and conserve local rain forest and last but not least a small hotel in the middle of the local Quichua community.

The animal rehabilitation center is located in the protected rain forest and shelters a number of different animals, some in danger of extinction. Most of these poor animals arrive in bad condition: malnourished, wounded due to being tied up and very often full of parasites. Approximately one fourth of the animals die either on their way to the rescue center or in the first days of living here. Another fourth can successfully be set free. The remaining half must remain at the center either living free in the area, or in enclosures to protect them from other animals and humans. In an ideal world, every animal that arrives at the rehabilitation center would be returned to the wild at some point. Although releasing animals appeals to the human ideals of freedom and wilderness, it may sometimes be harmful for the individual animal, the species, or even the ecosystem as a whole.

There are a number of reasons why returning an animal to its natural habitat is a difficult decision. When releasing an animal, it obviously has to be released to somewhere. The change from captivity to the wild is stressful and disorientating; this leaves animals especially vulnerable to hunting if they are released in an unprotected area. It is pointless spending a lot of effort preparing an animal for release only for it to be recaptured immediately. The rehabilitation center lies at the edge of 7 miles of protected primary rainforest in which hunting is prohibited. This is the area used for releasing animals that are ready for reintroduction. Unfortunately this center is effectively an island surrounded by unprotected areas which leads to problems.

Prices

Duration	in USD
2 months	350.-
Additional week	50.-

One time registration fee 75 USD.

What’s included:

Accommodation
3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Orientation kit
Local support
24h-Emergency Number

What’s not included:

Flight
Airport Pick-up
Medical Insurance
Visa (if necesary)
Personal expenses

Country

Country Information Ecuador

Ecuador, appropriately named after the equator, holds a massive imaginary line running directly through its middle. Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in South America with an area of only 100,000 square miles. Ecuador borders with Peru in the southeast, Colombia in the northeast and the Pacific Ocean splashing along the entire west side. The population of Ecuador is 14 million with the capital city of Quito holding 2 million residents.

Though Ecuador lacks bragging rights in their size, the country surely stands proud with their breathtaking landscapes, lush vegetation zones and varieties of climate. The climate, mainly determined by altitude, with tropical sun to heavy rain an average day in the Pacific coastal area, to temperate dry climate regions in the Andean highlands. Further, the Amazon basin on the eastern side of the mountains shares the climate of other rain forest zones.

Ecuador is one of eighteen mega diverse countries in the world with thousands of different animal and bird species. The famous Galapagos Island, a very special spot on earth, located about 620 miles away from the mainland and home to unique flora and fauna such as the giant tortoises. The islands are also historic for being the birthplace of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.

When exploring even deeper the 100,000 square mile piece of land, you will find diverse attractions for tourists and volunteers alike. Some highly recommended areas of exploration are the Amazon jungles, the Amazon basin, Andean Mountains, Volcanoes (active and dormant), tropical forests and variety of beautiful beaches. The Pacific coast is a perfect place for ocean diving, relaxing on the beach and enjoying hours in the sun. For those backcountry lovers and nature fans, rest assured the terrain of Ecuador offer much in both silence and adrenaline driven activities.

Due to Ecuador’s geographical diversity of ocean, mountains and island chains, any time you choose to travel rest assured one section of country will be in peak season. June through September are typically the dry months. The general high peak season of festivals, fiestas and crowds lie between mid-December through January and then again from June through August.

When traveling to Ecuador you will be absolutely amazed by the unique and natural beauty of this country. Keeping in mind that this country is one of poorest regions in South America, you will be surprised by their friendliness, efforts to help you and elements of preserved culture. UNESCO declared Quito, the capital city, a World Heritage Site in the 1970’s for having the best preserved and least altered historic center in Latin America!

No doubt, you will feel comfortable and ease while enjoying this open-minded and hospitable society.