Wildlife Refuge Supporter

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 21 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Learn about the threats of wild animals in the Amazon
  • Learn about the beauty of wild animals in the Amazon
  • Come and participate in the protection of animals in the Amazon

Highlights

  • Learn about the threats of wild animals in the Amazon
  • Learn about the beauty of wild animals in the Amazon
  • Come and participate in the protection of animals in the Amazon
  • Come and participate in the rehabilitation of animals in the Amazon
  • Come and live a unique adventure in the heart of the Ecuadorian tropical forest


  • Especially good for

    Age 21+
    Singles
    Couples
    50+

    About the program

    Imagine the Amazon rainforest where wild animals, victims of illegal trafficking and deforestation, find refuge, care and a second chance.

    Why is your program important?
    In Puerto Misahualli, at the gateway to the Amazon in Ecuador, wildlife trafficking is increasing, threatening many species. This situation is partly due to the difficult social context: several of the poorest communities exploit the attraction of exotic wild animals ...

    About the program

    Why is your program important?
    In Puerto Misahualli, at the gateway to the Amazon in Ecuador, wildlife trafficking is increasing, threatening many species. This situation is partly due to the difficult social context: several of the poorest communities exploit the attraction of exotic wild animals to generate tourism and income. Unfortunately, these animals are often kept in deplorable conditions, underfed and mistreated. Most of these animals require specialized care and are taken to suitable facilities. Currently, there are only two wildlife hospitals in Ecuador, one in Quito and the other in Guayaquil, located more than 4 hours by car from Puerto Misahualli. 
    In the Amazon, where trafficking is most intense, our refuge was created to compensate for this lack of facilities

    Our project in the Amazon: The KURI PACHAMAMA refuge :
    In November 2023, we inaugurated our wildlife refuge, approved by the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Environment. This refuge cares for animals that are victims of illegal trafficking and deforestation, and works to rehabilitate them in nature reserves adapted to their specific needs. 

    Our complementary actions:
    We conduct awareness campaigns on economic alternatives to gold mining and animal trafficking. We are also involved in education and environmental preservation in schools and local communities.

    What is your program exactly about?
    Our program consists of helping us with the daily tasks of caring for the animals in the shelter.

    What is your role ?
    - Participate in the operation of the shelter: feeding, caring for (light), washing the animals' cages 
    - Participate in the preparation, collection of food for the animals 
    - Participate in building habitats for the animals 
    - Participate in improving the animal straps 
    - Participate in the rehabilitation process 
    - Be trained on: the characteristics and needs of each animal
    we expect respect, commitment, interest, positivity, kindness from volunteers. 
    You can expect the same from us, teamwork in a good atmosphere. We are a young team, we are passionate about our activity.

    *How can you contribute?* 
    Your contribution to pay for your volunteering helps us pay the veterinarian's salaries ($800/month), food ($450 per month) 

    *Why is your support important?* 
    We are not a zoo, and the entrance to visitors is not open, because the animals must have as little contact with humans as possible to be rehabilitated. This limits the resources to pay our veterinarian... Your support allows us to gain autonomy in our long-term initiatives.

    Surroundings and the locations where the volunteers will be working and living at :
    To come to the shelter and the reception house of the foundation, there are different ways, there is a part of tarred road of 2.4km and a part of stone/sand road of 2.4km, for a total of 4.8km: 
    - On foot: it will take you 1h15mn 
    - By taxi: it will take you 11mn, you will pay $4, we advise you to group together to take the taxi and thus reduce the costs 

    You will work in a shelter which is 3 minutes walk from the reception house. The shelter is in the forest, isolated.
    The shelter is 36 m2 the total surface used for the animals is 2 hectares there is a 35x35m ring where there is currently a tapir + 2 other small 10x10m rings where the agoutis are Two ponds of 50 m x 12m welcome a small caiman and several turtles A workshop to raise the crickets that the monkeys eat.

    You will live in the 200m2 host house in the middle of the forest with a shared bedroom, two large terraces, one downstairs and one upstairs, a large shared kitchen, luxury dry toilets, two showers including a hot one. The house is comfortable with wifi, electricity, and water


    Typical day

    You will work with: - Victoria Viteri Cuenca, veterinary employee, is responsible for the care of the animals in the shelter. She supervises their feeding and ensures their habitat and general well-being. - Renata Rodriguez, employee and manager of the shelter, is responsible for managing the ...

    Typical day

    You will work with: - Victoria Viteri Cuenca, veterinary employee, is responsible for the care of the animals in the shelter. She supervises their feeding and ensures their habitat and general well-being. - Renata Rodriguez, employee and manager of the shelter, is responsible for managing the documents for the entry, exit and rehabilitation of the animals. She also ensures the link with all our partners and the formalization of our protected area.

    Typical day description
    Monday to Friday: 5H per day 
    Or Wednesday to Sunday: 5H per day 
    Animals need to eat on Saturday and Sunday too! 

    7:30am: feed and check the animals' health 
    9:00am: wash, tidy up, store food 
    10:00am: clean the cages 
    11:00am: prepare the meal 
    12:00pm: lunch 
    4:00pm: feed and check the animals' health 
    5:00pm: Tidy up and clean the shelter 
    5:30pm: END OF SHELTER

    you must bring your sleeping bag.
    You MUST respect the hygiene and safety rules written in the kitchen, dry toilets. 
    Hygiene is very important in the house. 
    Smoking is FORBIDDEN in and around the animal shelter It is strictly FORBIDDEN to consume marijuana and any other illicit drugs, it is prohibited in the country

    Free-time activities

    1 p.m. to 4 p.m.:
     reading, rest, exploring the area 


    2 days of rest: 
    kayaking, rafting, 
    Pusuno and Latas waterfalls, 
    Trekking volcanoes, mountains…

    Free-time activities

    1 p.m. to 4 p.m.:
     reading, rest, exploring the area 


    2 days of rest: 
    kayaking, rafting, 
    Pusuno and Latas waterfalls, 
    Trekking volcanoes, mountains…

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 21 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 21 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak Spanish (intermediate level) or English (intermediate level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    - Veterinarian: animal care - Animal handling - Carpenter to make wooden constructions to achieve all sorts of resemblance to animal habitats, or build furniture in our shelter - Construction of animal habitat - Production of animal strapping

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 07:30 - 17:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Trésor De Nature

    your accommodation and your training which is essential to be at the shelter. 

    - Training in handling 
    - training in the operation of the shelter 
    - Training in feeding and caring for animals

    Accommodation

    You are staying in a large house of 200 m2 which has 4 bedrooms (two with two beds including one for a couple and a bedroom with four single beds. 

    There are two terraces, one upstairs and the other on the ground floor 

    There is a large shared kitchen which must be kept clean 

    There are quality dry toilets There are two showers including one with hot water

     There is a "CHOSA" to rest, make fires, music


    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Mariscal Sucre International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Food & Beverages

    Food, snacks or beverages are at extra costs.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ecuador. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ecuador provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Ecuador you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ecuador. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Start Dates :
    You can start whenever you want
    The animal shelter is open every day

     Details on Arrival:
    your arrival can be done in different ways, there is a 2.4km part of tarmac road and a 2.4km part of stone/sand road, for a total of 4.8km: 
    - On foot: it will take you 1h15mn 
    - By taxi: it will take you 11mn, you will pay $4, we advise you to group together to take the taxi and thus reduce the costs 
    - By bike: it will take you 30mn, there are 3 parts with an ascent
    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    4 weeks (min. stay) 700€
    5 weeks 875€
    6 weeks 1,050€
    7 weeks 1,225€
    8 weeks 1,400€
    9 weeks 1,575€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 2,100€
    Average fees 175€/week

    Program fees

    175€ per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 21 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    4 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Trésor De Nature during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Trésor De Nature

    Fantastic 4.5 rating (15 reviews)

    Non-profit

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    caroline

    Spoken languages: French, Spanish, English

    About the project

    Learning from nature in Puerto Misahualli in Ecuador, Trésor de Nature offers you the opportunity to live in the heart of the Amazon forest with the locals. Come join us!

    Meet your organization

    About us:
    Founded in 2001, Trésor de Nature is an association whose objective is to protect and restore biodiversity while raising awareness among local populations about the preservation of their environment. It conducts its activities in France and at the gates of the Ecuadorian Amazon where it works to restore and conserve the forest on a 30-hectare site.

    Our fight:
    The association fights against deforestation and more generally against climate change. Indeed, Ecuador is the most biodiverse country in the world! However, intensive agriculture and the exploitation of minerals such as gold, endanger the habitat of fauna and flora... In order to fight against this trouble, Treasure of Nature buys forest land in order to protect. She created an agroforestry farm in Ecuador to restore and reforest soils damaged by intensive agriculture.

    15 reviews · rating4.5

    Awesome experience with the cocoa farmers team of Tresor de nature in Puerto Misahuali, Ecuador. It is a very deep experience in the amazonian forest, hosted in a cosy and convenient big habitation. It is hard job but oh so motivating ! With a very nice team, lead by Torgal, the cocoa's forest ...
    Olivia Christophe rating5

    2022 at Organic Farming and Tropical Conservation

    Google Translator: Three weeks to participate in the reforestation of the equatorial forest, in Puerto Misahualli, Ecuador: clearing, reforestation, participation in community life. Summary of the mission: https://www.reachout.fr/news/tresor-de-nature-reboiser-la-foret-equatoriale/ Video of the ...
    Google translator: We helped create a cocoa drying center at the Treasure of Nature Foundation in the Amazon, which works to promote biodiversity. The drying center will allow them to market their own environmentally friendly cocoa ...
    Léna GHIRARD rating4.6

    2022 at Organic Farming and Tropical Conservation

    Volunteering in an exceptional setting in the midst of trees and nature Experience supervised by competent persons and eager to transmit their knowledge Their main objective is to protect and restore the Amazon fauna and flora. Many trees and flowers are planted every year in the middle of ...
    Lebran Laurie rating4.6

    2022 at Organic Farming and Tropical Conservation

    I was in charge of the association developement and the economic stabilisation. - Accompany the president of the association in the development of the organization - Realization and follow-up of files of calls for projects of foundations: Yves Rocher, Itancia, Audemars Piguet, Humus, Maisons du ...
    Maintenance of the terrain of the association and tree planting. I helped maintain the plot of land owned by the association. The activities entail: weeding, planting trees, sowing plants, harvesting seeds for further plantation, harvesting fruits from the garden and if needed processing them. The ...

    Location

    Americas > South America > Ecuador > Puerto Misahualli

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    Contact caroline
      Excellent response rate
    French, Spanish, English

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