Help to save animals in Ecuador's Coastal Animal Rescue Center

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Guayaquil

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: Help stop animal trafficking! Everyday in Ecuador animals fall victim to abuse, illegal trafficking, imprisonment, and death. These animals desperately need your help to take care of them, give them proper food and love. As a volunteer in this rescue center you can be part of the solution and experience the joy that comes from giving back to nature.

The Coast Animal Rescue Center is located inside of a shrimp, tilapia, banana and cocoa production farm that developed 20 years ago with an emphasis in agriculture. The Animal Rescue Center is the first establishment of its kind in Ecuador. In the center approximately 300 wild animals from different species are rehabilitated and receive professional care. In addition, there are three main programs, all involving endangered species: The American crocodile captive breeding program, The Spider Monkey captive breeding program and the Guayaquil Macaw captive breeding program. All of these animals are donated by the public or confiscated by the Environmental Police (UPMA). The center also participates, through its foundation, in conservation campaigns. Recent education efforts include the American Crocodile Conservation Program in Santay Island. The center has been fundamental in the development of regulations for wildlife centers across the country and they have been able to reproduce successfully three of Ecuadors highly endangered species.
The Center focuses on the rehabilitation of a wide variety of wild animals from unhealthy and/or illegal situations, victims of animal trafficking, maltreatment or habitat destruction. For volunteers this is a unique opportunity to work with and help a large number of wild animals while working alongside and learning from the local community. The volunteers are responsible for the daily caretaking of the animals that are at the center. This involves activities such as feeding the animals, cleaning the enclosures, maintaining the center and more!

Highlights: Volunteer Role: (Regular duties are the daily cleaning of all the enclosures and exterior areas where the animals live and the preparation/distribution of the food to all the species of animals sheltered at the center. In particular seasons, volunteers regularly go on walks to collect wild fruits and leaves for the animals to include in their diets. The center has a kitchen specifically for the animals, volunteers work preparing the animals meals based on their diet. Volunteers will also keep track of the animal behavior, will plant fruits for the animals diets and maintain the crops.

Location: (The Coast Center is located at 1 hr 45 minutes from the city of Guayaquil, 5km. from the Balao Chico entrance across from a small village community named La Roldós.) The city of Naranjal is 16 km away with basic local shops for needs as food, restaurants, pharmacies, clothing, etc. It is mainly an agricultural area.

Accommodations and Meals: (Volunteers share bedrooms, 2-3 per room). Bedding is provided and mosquito nets are optional. The accommodation is very comfortable, there is electricity, running water, cooking facilities, refrigerator, showers, regular toilets, floor fan, a spacious separate kitchen with filtered water and hammock areas outside to relax after the hard work! The dormitory style rooms have bunk beds and dressers. Bathrooms and showers are found next to room or within a short walking distance. There is internet available at the center. All three meals are cooked by onsite staff and will consist of typical Ecuadorian food including rice, chicken, beef, fish, plantain, and fresh fruit juice.

In your free time explore the different activities that the area has to offer:

*Guayaquil has the largest and most important port of the Ecuadorian shores; therefore a very busy commercial activity takes place along with national and international banking.

*Several of the best-known beaches of Ecuador lie a few kilometers from Guayaquil: Salinas, Punta Carnero, Playas General Villamil; there are places for relaxing and recreation for national and foreign tourists to enjoy.

*Visit the Malecón 2000. This is newly reconstructed pier, one of the most popular sites of the Guayaquil city in Ecuador and a traditional tourist center. This is one of the most important civic-tourist-commercial sites from South America.

*La Rotonda, Centenario Park, the community project at Las Peñas neighborhood or the Cerro Blanco ecological reserve are some of the main characteristics of Guayaquils identity.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

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