Costa Rica Sloth Rescue and Conservation

  Costa Rica

• Eastern Lowlands: 
Limon

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Dates: First Monday of each month (aim to arrive the Sunday before)

Description: Over the years, the centre has rescued many sloths and other wildlife that have had bad experiences with the human world. In 1997 the Sloth Sanctuary was recognised by the Costa Rican government as a refuge for the rescue and rehabilitation of sloths.

A dedicated staff of 14 full-time employees care for the animals. Volunteers are needed to help provide the sloths with the loving care they require in order to survive. Dozens of adult sloths that have been cared for at the center have been rehabilitated and returned to the forest canopy. However, many sloths at the centre are there for life, because they were to badly injured to be returned to the wild or they were orphaned too early in life to know how to survive on their own.
Volunteer Role

Volunteers will have the opportunity to undertake a number of tasks that will help care for the sloths. In some cases this can include helping to rehabilitate them son that they can return to the wild in their natural habitat.

Orientation

On Monday you will have a comprehensive orientation meeting. This will cover all essential topics such as banks and money, transport, places to see, safety precautions and work ethics. In this first meeting, you will also have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you wish. In the afternoon there will be time for a salsa class and a chance to use the facilities at the project office.

Please note that smoking is strictly prohibited on the programme and no chemicals (perfumes, sun cream etc) should be used while on the project as this harms the sloths.
Project Support

Throughout your stay you will have the support and guidance of a volunteer work coordinator and their team. They will be able to help you with any questions or advice you may need during your time on the project.

In addition, you are able to contact our UK staff 24 hours a day should you need to, via our emergency contact number.
Accommodation and Meals

Volunteers will be staying in shared rooms where there are single beds and bunk beds. There is a bathroom and a shower for the volunteers to share. The accommodation has electricity and drinking water.

The programme includes three daily meals that will be provided by the staff from the rescue centre. The meals are based on a Costa Rican diet, which means the food is fairly basic. Most meals will include rice, beans, corn, meat, pasta, vegetables and seasonal fruits.
Free Time

You will have one day off per week, which can be negotiated with the centre's administration. It is possible to use the telephone with a telephone card and to use the Internet during your day off, or you can go to Cañas to use the facilities there.

The nearby communities of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo have all the services and comforts that you could wish for during your day off. Cahuita is a typical Caribbean style village, well known for the beaches suitable for surfing, snorkelling and swimming. Its National Park boasts beautiful beaches, a coral reef, and a coastal rainforest where many kinds of birds and other animals can be spotted. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a town in southeastern Costa Rica, popular among tourists for surfing, snorkelling, reggae and calypso music.

Highlights: Volunteer activities can include:

    * Caring for the sloths and other animals (feeding, exercising, monitoring/observing animals, recording observations)
    * Cleaning out cages
    * Conducting tours of the sanctuary for visitors
    * Assisting in the gift shop and greeting visitors (especially on cruise ship days)
    * Assisting with trail building/maintenance
    * Raking and sweeping of all public areas and clearing away fallen leaves (this is done on a daily basis)
    * Assisting the on-site vet (weighing, monitoring and caring for the animals)
    * Administrative assistance may also be needed

Cost in US$: from 969

Experience Required: no

Age Range: Minimum age 18, maximum decided on potential participants health

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

Real Gap Experience's Mission Statement: We are ambitious for our company, our partners and the communities in which we work. We take our responsibilities seriously - understanding that the development of our business impacts directly on our partners, the communities that we visit and work with and that ultimately, our success is their success too.