Help to Save Animals in the Amazon Rainforest

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Puyo

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Arrival in Quito every Sunday and Program starts every Monday

Description: The Amazon Animal Rescue Center is a non-profit organization founded by an animal-loving family in June 2006. The Center constantly works for the protection of wildlife and the prevention of illegal trafficking of Amazonian wildlife in Ecuador. Volunteers are urgently required to help with this rewarding project which is available through our website.

The Animal Rescue Center performs the function of rescuing animals that are found in appalling conditions, badly treated by their owners, without adequate food or water or living in squalid conditions. When animals are brought to the center, our work begins by providing them with safe enclosures as close as possible to their natural environment. We provide enrichment tools to enable them to utilize their natural skills and live in conditions as close as possible to those they would experience in the wild. The main objective of the Animal Rescue Center is to provide an intermediary home for rehabilitation before releasing the animals back into their natural environment.

This is a unique opportunity for volunteers in Ecuador to work with and help a large number of wild animals while living in a spectacularly beautiful area in the Amazon rainforest. Volunteers are responsible for the daily care of the animals that are at the Animal Rescue Center. This involves activities such as feeding the animals, cleaning the enclosures, maintaining the Animal Rescue Center and more!

Highlights: Volunteers in Ecuador can enjoy some amazing adventures and activities in their spare time including:
- Visiting the incredible Manto de la Virgin waterfall
- Riding a horse in the hills around the town
- Walking, hiking or climbing the surrounding trails and the nearby volcano
- Mountain biking along the breathtaking scenic road to Puyo
- Rafting in one of the nearby rivers.
- Taking a jungle tour in the Amazon rainforest. There are many tour operators in Banos and Puyo than can help you organize this fantastic trip.
- Visiting the National Park Yasuni. The park is primarily a rainforest covering approximately 9,820 square kilometers. It lies between the Napo and Curaray rivers in the Napo and the Pastaza provinces in Amazonian Ecuador. It is about 250 km from Quito. The park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1989.

Accommodation and Meals: The accommodation for volunteers is very comfortable with electricity (110V), gas for the oven and hot showers, regular toilets, dormitory-style rooms with 4-5 beds, a spacious separate kitchen with filtered water and hammock areas outside to relax in after a hard days work! Volunteers take turns to buy food at the local market and prepare meals in a pleasant, comfortable environment.

Location: Banos is located on the northern foothills of the Tungurahua volcano. It is named after the hydrothermal springs of mineral water located around the city.

Qualifications: Please visit our website using the link at the top/bottom of the page for more details.

Cost in US$: From 425/week and up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: The Amazon Rescue Center welcomes volunteers to help with the centers day to day tasks. They should be willing to work on existing projects; help to build, improve and maintain enclosures; assist with botanical studies in the rainforest and assist with new projects. Developing new environmental awareness programs in the local schools and building new islands as fenceless sanctuaries for the animals are just a few of the projects which volunteers in Ecuador can make happen. Volunteers require no previous experience with animals, although it is a perfect place for budding zoologists, animal carers and vets to learn and gain experience. Volunteers need to love the natural world, have the motivation to help and to learn and the desire to make a difference in a volunteer project. A easy-going, friendly personality is also a must. Regular duties include the daily cleaning of all the enclosures and exterior areas where the animals live and the preparation/distribution of food to all the different species of animals sheltered at the Animal Rescue Center. In certain seasons, volunteers regularly go on walks to collect wild fruits and leaves for the animals, to enhance their diets. Activities vary from week to week depending upon the needs of the animals and the Animal Rescue Center at the time. All volunteers need to participate in the wide variety of projects planned for the center, from building bigger and better enclosures for the animals (a continuous all year round task) to improving access paths to the enclosures. Continuous animal observation is also part of their care.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

LEAD Adventures Ecuador's Mission Statement: Since its creation in 2004 LEAD Adventures has been extremely successful launching programs in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands and establishing mutually beneficial partnerships abroad. Up to date we have efficiently managed over 2,000 inbound participants individually and in-group programs. Our programs are targeted to young minded people from all over the world that want to experience the great destinations Ecuador and South America have to offer. Our programs are targeted to young minded people from all over the world that want to experience the great destinations Ecuador and South America have to offer. Why choose our programs? In country support: As a South American based company we have the local contacts and resources to offer superb and efficient services to our participants. Our bilingual, experienced, and young minded in country staff are here to help you get the most of your time here. Security and Experience: We have the local knowledge and contacts to offer the safest and fastest security and emergency procedures. Additionally we are in close contact with the local Foreign Commonwealth Office UK , US Embassies and the like. Several US, European, and other companies choose us a destination management company for their programs. Value: Our administrative costs are much lower than agencies in Europe or US for example. So we can offer low and more reasonable prices for our programs compared to some agencies abroad. Additionally we are the operators of these programs so we can guarantee cost efficiency. True local Impact: As a South American (Ecuadorian based) company we have the local knowledge and capacity to choose the best managed projects and ensure a degree of sustainability to them. We support them and provide valuable resources that help continue their work.

Year Founded: 2004