Animal Rehabilitation Work in Costa Rica

  Costa Rica

• North Western Region: 
Guanacaste

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: multiple

Description: Have you got a soft spot for animals?

If caring for an array of cute little animals doesn't relax you then Costa Rica's "poco a poco" (little by little) pace of life certainly will. Set amidst the stunning scenery of the Guanacaste region, which stretches down to the Pacific in the west and up into the volcanic ranges in the east, this tropical dry forest is a rescue facility that cares for numerous species of indigenous wildlife. Your efforts will help to safeguard the existence of Costa Rica's diverse wildlife and promote the area as an ecologically-aware tourist destination. The project allows you ample opportunity to explore the wider environment through conservation work in the area as well as superb surfing beaches and world class hiking.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights: What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?

"Interacting with the local people was amazing and helped me learn Spanish. The animals we worked with were great and interesting. Most of all the people I met through this experience were amazing." (Nicole Townsend)

The Monkey Park project protects 23 hectares of dry forest and in the rescue center there are animals such as monkeys, deer, coyotes, raccoons, toucans, macaws and other types of tropical birds. There is a butterfly farm where you can get involved in collecting the cocoons, and monitoring the different species.

There is also a recently opened aquarium which has lion fish, a nurse shark, and sea horses, and a number of different rays where volunteers can be of assistance. The project has two staff who run the project, a part time veterinarian who is in charge of the animals' health and a biologist who is the administrator. The volunteers will help both professionals in their projects and tasks and also in the tourist activities that help to run the project.

Qualifications: Clearly a big love of animals is essential for this project, as is patience and the readiness to get dirty! The project requests that anyone signing up to do this project be sensitive and really enjoy working with animals.

At Monkey Park you may also be building and repairing walkways around the forest, collecting dry leaves around the building, and assisting with the general maintenance tasks as well as helping in the butterfly farm.

Cost in US$: US$ 1795.00 for 4 weeks, US$ 310.00 for every week thereafter

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 years old and up

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994