Volunteer in Wildlife Conservation ( Coopesilencio R.L.)

  Costa Rica

• Central Pacific Coast: 
Puntarenas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: Coopesilencie R.L., an organization that has taken on the responsibility of protecting Costa Rica's fauna, is located on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Volunteers assist in protecting the fauna diversity in the region by giving shelter and medical attention to confiscated, donated, or injured fauna. The volunteers will also build a wildlife clinic, rehabilitate and reintroduce the animals into the wild, develop and execute environmental education programs to both locals and foreigners, and partake in research programs related to animal health care and husbandry.

A volunteer typically starts work at 6:15 in the morning everyday. Duties include helping to maintain, develop, and improve the Wildlife Conservation Center, cleaning cages, preparing diets, feeding animals, conducting tours through the rehabilitation center, maintaining and cleaning of the areas of the animal shelter, and monitoring animals health and diet and other maintenance work. At times, volunteers may assist in developing and improving the the cooperative's Eco-Tourism program: gardening, raking, cleaning of the trails, maintaining the water ducts of the community, making wood signs for the nature trails, and helping with other special community projects.

Volunteers at the project stay with local families. Lodging, typical food, and laundry service are provided by the host families.

Cost in US$: 1 week 1,395 USD

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: United Planet requests five things of you: Flexibility, Courage, Open-mindedness, Tolerance and Compassion. Volunteer and educational travel around the world is often filled with unpredictable surprises, such as transportation delays, local holidays, etc. Cultures vary greatly. Some things may appear shocking and you might feel outside of your comfort zone in some situations. You might also experience disturbing poverty or suffering in certain areas. People, including the local population and fellow Quest participants, might have vastly different religious, ideological, racial, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds. In short, you will be challenged and stimulated in ways that you may not be able to currently imagine. If you remember the UP code and maintain flexibility, courage, open-mindedness, tolerance, and compassion, you will build greater bonds with the people around you, attain a rich cultural understanding, and truly experience the ultimate educational adventure of a United Planet Quest, while having lots of fun along the way.

Age Range: All Ages

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

United Planet's Mission Statement: As an international non-profit organization, United Planet (UP) strives to create a world in which all people understand, respect, and support one another. United Planet's global network of leaders and volunteers fosters cross-cultural understanding and addresses shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders. In 2008, United Planet was one of only ten organizations selected by CNN to be part of its "Be the Change" initiative.

Year Founded: 2001