Assistant in a Giant Tortoise Breeding Center

location
2 - 12 weken  ·  Leeftijd 18 - 50+

rating  Briljant 4.7  · 
  Geverifieerd door Volunteer World
  Zeer hoog Responsgraad

Highlights

  • Work eye-to-eye with endangered Galapagos Tortoises by becoming a member of the research and zookeeping staff.
  • During nesting season, control of nesting areas and transfer of eggs to articial incubators.
  • Work directly with the public to educate tourists about giant tortoises.

Highlights

  • Work eye-to-eye with endangered Galapagos Tortoises by becoming a member of the research and zookeeping staff.
  • During nesting season, control of nesting areas and transfer of eggs to articial incubators.
  • Work directly with the public to educate tourists about giant tortoises.
  • Assist in necessary corrective and preventative maintenance to the facilities of the Breeding Center and surrounding areas.
  • Spend 2-12 weeks living and volunteering in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador.


  • Vooral geschikt voor

    Leeftijd 18+
    Alleenstaanden
    Koppels
    Groepen
    50+

    Over het programma

    Work with national park staff in tortoise care, from new babies to adults. Work with public education of visitors to the Breeding Center.

    Role Overview

    Since the discovery of the Galapagos Islands, giant tortoises have been exploited by almost every group of people who have visited (whalers, pirates, and scientists), as well as the people who live there.  Between 100,000 to 200,000 giant tortoises were removed and killed in two ...

    Over het programma

    Role Overview

    Since the discovery of the Galapagos Islands, giant tortoises have been exploited by almost every group of people who have visited (whalers, pirates, and scientists), as well as the people who live there.  Between 100,000 to 200,000 giant tortoises were removed and killed in two centuries.  From hunting, to habitat alteration, to the current biggest threat - the introduction of animals now acting as predators and competitors, the giant tortoise population was almost wiped out on Isabela Island.  The Giant Tortoise Breeding Center was started in 1990 in attempts to recuperate the giant tortoise population through its program of breeding, care, and reintroduction to the wild, as well as through education programs for tourists and local people.  These reptiles, emblematic of the Galapagos, are imperative to the unique Galapagos ecosystem.  The Breeding Center depends on volunteers to work with caretakers, experts, and educators to repopulate this species.

    As the Galapagos Tortoise Center conservation volunteer, you will work with staff the Galapagos National Park at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center on Isabela Island. You will work primarily outdoors in the shaded tortoise enclosures.  This will include:

    • Feeding and caring for the tortoises, as well as maintaining their enclosure.
    • Assisting the zoo keepers.
    • Working directly with the public to educate tourists about giant tortoises and to also inform them of the rules and regulations designed to keep the tortoises safe and the habitats intact. 
    • Building New, and Improving Existing, Infrastructure: renovating a classroom for program use, maintaining, and painting the center.

    • Providing Education: local schools participate in field trips to the center, instilling stewardship for the environment in the nearly 600 K-12 children who attend school on the island; creating a junior park ranger program that promotes scientific learning while promoting a sense of ecological agency and care among young people.

    Requirements:

    • Basic to intermediate level of Spanish.
    • A genuine passion for animal conservation.
    • An ability to openly communicate rules and regulations to tourists as well as follow instructions. 
    • Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
    • Flexible schedule that accounts for the day to day needs of working with a local institution.
    • Physical ability to work outdoors with potentially high sun, element, and temperature exposure.
    • All equipment is provided, but make sure to bring closed-toed shoes and clothes you can get dirty
    **Wasps are attracted to the plants that you will prep and feed to the giant tortoises. Those with a severe wasp allergy should reconsider this project.

    Accommodation 

    Accommodation is provided by one of our carefully selected host families or in our volunteer housing. In both types of housing, volunteers have their own room, a fan, bed, desk, dresser, and bathroom, as well as warm water and drinking water.  In our volunteer housing, breakfast is not included, but you have access to our fully equipped kitchen facilities to cover your needs. Lunch and dinner is provided at your choice of various restaurants in town, which are usually open-air seating with local cuisine. You simply sign for your meal and we’ll pick up the bill at the end of the month. 

    Our host families have experience with outside culture and international living and provide an amazing immersion experience. All host family houses are nearby the IOI offices and the local schools in the beach town of Puerto Villamil. Homes are fairly simple, clean, and welcoming. You will have breakfast and dinner with your family. Lunch is at the above mentioned restaurants.  

    We at IOI pair you with your host family, and we are available at any time to help if any issues arrive with  the restaurants, your host family, the volunteer site, if you get sick and need to visit the doctor, etc.

    Participation Fee

    The program fee is necessary to cover your cost of living and logistics. Our overhead is covered by other means so 100% of any funds that exceed your direct cost will go towards the project you participated in.

    To book you need to pay a Reservation Deposit.
    That deposit WILL BE DEDUCTED from your program fee.

    What’s Included          

    Cost includes food, full room and board, permits, Transient visa, local coordination and training at respective facility, local transport, full access to our facilities, etc.—everything minus personal expenses, travel insurance, and your airfare to Galápagos.



    Dagelijkse activiteiten

    Schedule

    Schedules are based on a 25 hr/week commitment, and can voluntarily be extended to a regular 40hr/work week. Typically Monday-Friday 7:30AM-12:30PM.  May be subject to change depending on the tasks at hand.

    After breakfast with your homestay family or in our volunteer housing, you will start ...

    Dagelijkse activiteiten

    Schedule

    Schedules are based on a 25 hr/week commitment, and can voluntarily be extended to a regular 40hr/work week. Typically Monday-Friday 7:30AM-12:30PM.  May be subject to change depending on the tasks at hand.

    After breakfast with your homestay family or in our volunteer housing, you will start the morning at 7:30, cleaning the tortoise enclosures and feeding the many tortoises at the center.  Work directly with park staff to learn about tortoise care, help in the incubation and hatching center, and interface with visitors to the center.  

    You will finish work around 12:30 and may have lunch in one of the restaurants we partner with - you choose where you want to go, sign in, and at the end of the month, we pick up the tab.  Enjoy local cuisine and spend the afternoon exploring, adventuring or relaxing on the beach. There are always things to do in the afternoon and evening, from playing volleyball or soccer, to learning to cook local recipes with your host family (if you choose to stay with one), to watching the sunset from the beach.  



    Vrijetijdsactiviteiten

    In Galapagos you can live a Pacific Island life. This means you can choose between a lot of free time activities including surfing, soccer, beach volley, etc.

    Vrijetijdsactiviteiten

    In Galapagos you can live a Pacific Island life. This means you can choose between a lot of free time activities including surfing, soccer, beach volley, etc.


    Voorwaarden

    Voorwaarden

    Minimum leeftijd: 18 jaar

    Om deel te nemen aan het programma dien je tenminste 18 jaar oud te zijn op de startdatum van het programma. Er kunnen uitzonderingen gemaakt worden indien je een bewijs van toestemming kan aantonen van uw wettelijke voogd(en) of samen met je ouders deelneemt.

    Taalkennis

    Je dient over volgende taalkennis te beschikken Engels (gemiddeld niveau) ou Spaans (basis niveau)

    Nationaliteitsbeperkingen

    Geen beperkingen. Helpende handen van over de hele wereld zijn welkom.

    Andere vaardigheden

    Requirements: - Basic to intermediate level of Spanish. - A genuine passion for animal conservation. - An ability to openly communicate rules and regulations to tourists as well as follow instructions. - Ability to work independently as well as in a team. - Flexible schedule that accounts for the day to day needs of working with a local institution. Physical ability to work outdoors with potentially high sun, element, and temperature exposure.

    Tijdsinzet

    Uw helpende hand wordt verwacht op maandag, dinsdag, woensdag, donderdag en vrijdag van 07:30 - 12:30

    Diensten ingesloten

    Diensten ingesloten

    Diensten door IOI - Empowering Galapagos

    Cost includes food, full room and board, permits, Transient visa, local coordination and training at respective facility, local transport, full access to our facilities, etc. — everything with the exception of personal expenses, travel insurance, the $20 USD Tourist Transit Card, and your airfare to the Galápagos.

    The program fee is necessary to cover your cost of living and logistics. Our overhead is covered by other means so 100% of any funds that exceed your direct cost will go towards the projects on the ground.

    Accomodatie

    Accommodation is provided by one of our carefully selected host families or in our volunteer housing. All our rooms have a private Bathroom, warm water, a fan, a bed, and a desk/dresser. Many of the host family housing include A/C. 

    Eten & Drank

    In our volunteer housing, breakfast is not included, but you have access to our fully equipped kitchen facilities to cover your needs. Lunch and dinner is provided at your choice of various restaurants in town. You simply sign for your meal and we’ll pick up the bill at the end of the month. 

    Our host families have experience with outside culture and international living and provide an amazing immersion experience. You will have breakfast and dinner with your family. Lunch is at the above mentioned restaurants.

    Internet toegang

    Makkelijke toegang op de project site

    Wat is er NIET inbegrepen?

    Wat is er NIET inbegrepen?

    Afhaal aan de luchthaven op Baltra Airport

    Afhaling van de luchthaven is ook niet inbegrepen in de programmakosten.

    Vlucht tickets

    De dichtste luchthaven is Baltra Airport (GPS) in Galapagos Islands. We assisteren u met het vinden van goedkope vluchten naar Ecuador. VIND GOEDKOPE VLUCHTEN

    Reisverzekering

    Naar het buitenland reizen is een avontuur en het is best om goed voorbereid te zijn. Plots ziek worden of gewond raken, annulaties of diefstal - een reisverzekering voor Ecuador biedt zekerheid en is een meerwaarde. KRIJG EEN OFFERTE

    Vaccinaties

    Als je de intentie hebt om als vrijwilliger aan de slag te gaan in Ecuador dien je eerst medisch advies in te winnen alvorens je eropuit trekt. Kijk de benodigde vaccinaties na voor Ecuador. VACCINATIE CHECKER

    Gegevens over jouw aankomst

    Arrivals are on Mondays and departures are on Saturdays or Sundays. Project staff will pick you up and drop you off on these days. Please ensure this works with your travel plans.

    Beschikbaarheid
    jan. feb. mrt. apr. mei. jun. jul. aug. sep. okt. nov. dec.

    Programmakosten

    2 weken (min. verblijf) 1.796€
    3 weken 2.344€
    4 weken 2.893€
    5 weken 3.441€
    6 weken 3.990€
    7 weken 4.539€
    12 weken (max. verblijf) 7.282€
    Gemiddelde kosten 752€/week

    Programmakosten

    752€ per week 2 - 12 weken Leeftijd 18 - 50+

    Betaalmethodes

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    GEEN CREDITCARDKOSTEN


    Duurtijd

    2 - 12 weken

    Waarborg

    De waarborg dient om je plek als vrijwilliger te verzekeren. Betalingen worden door PayPal behandeld, onze betrouwbare betalingsprovider. Indien je niet over een PayPal account beschikt, kan je ook met een credit kaart betalen.


    Finale betaling

    Uw finale betaling zal worden goedgekeurd door IOI - Empowering Galapagos gedurende de aanmeld procedure. Veel voorkomende oplossingen zijn een banktransfer of contante betaling op de projectsite.


    Ontmoet je organisatie

    IOI - Empowering Galapagos

    Briljant 4.7 rating (37 beoordelingen)

    NGO - opgericht in 2006

    Geverifieerd door Volunteer World

      Zeer hoog Responsgraad

    Gepresenteerd door

    Monique

    Gesproken talen: Engels, Spaans

    Over de organisatie

    We empower isolated communities to grow in a sustainable way. To that end, we run projects in Conservation, Education, and Social Development.

    Ontmoet je organisatie

    Who we are
    IOI is a non-profit organization that designs educational adventures to empower isolated communities to grow in a sustainable way. We strive to help establish ecological sustainability and social stability in our host communities. As such, our mission is to provide international education programs that support the education, conservation, and social development of isolated communities by assisting local institutions in sustainably handling the human-environmental intersection. 


    What we do

    • We develop and implement our outreach projects with local institutions to ensure their sustainable implementation. Our projects address pressing conservation, education, and social development needs. Our partners include the Galapagos National Park, the Biodiversity Protection Agency, the local school system, and the provincial government.
    • We provide volunteer opportunities in conservation, education, and social development, providing our participants with life changing experiences, and our local partners with funding, expertise, and (wo)man power on site.
    • We immersive study abroad programs in which students spend up to 3 months studying the local environment and learn the local culture. All our programs are based on cultural integration and service learning.

    Where we work
    We work in the community of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island in
    the Galapagos, Ecuador. Our 5k beach is right across the street and the Volcano Sierra Negra is basically in our backyard. From Marine to Mountain, snorkeling to camping, nature is at our doorstep!

    Our history
    Since embarking on our journey in 2006, IOI has evolved into a mature and recognized organization with an innovative design of merging educational travel with conservation and community development. We began in Galapagos and, after 10 years of experience, have expanded to Cuba and Costa Rica.

    Vision and Mission
    We Empower Isolated Communities to Grow in a Sustainable Way. It is our Vision to help establish ecological sustainability and social stability in our host communities.  Our mission is to provide international education programs that support the education, conservation, and social development of isolated communities by assisting local institutions in sustainably handling the human-environmental intersection.

    Who are we looking for
    We are looking for adventurous volunteers ready to travel to remote parts of the world to make an impact on conservation and education projects. Our volunteers should be flexible, understanding, and respectful of the local cultural context. Depending on the position, we ask that our volunteers are physically able to work outside, sometimes in extreme weather conditions (think the tropics!) and be able to work on a team and individually.

    Why choose us..

    • It's a unique opportunity to gain insight and firsthand experience in the the world of hands-on conservation and environmental management
    • All of our locations are unique and have exceptional beauty and biodiversity.
    • Our sites are slow lane kinds of places. If you need a break, this is your ideal escape.
    • You will learn Spanish and immerse yourself in the community--you'll finish your time volunteering feeling like a local!

    37 beoordelingen · rating4.7

    I volunteered at the tortoise centre for 3 weeks in August and really enjoyed it. I stayed with a lovely local family who gave me an insight into life on Isabela island. The work at the tortoise centre was interesting but sometimes also exhausting like distributing the food in wheelbarrows or ...
    I'd never recommend IOI to anyone. The host family were wonderful. Unless your in the university of Miami it's quite obvious all IOI only care about taking your money -------------- organization's reply------------------------ Hi Dennis, We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay with ...
    I would recommend this volunteer experience because I found it to be extremely valuable to immerse myself and feel like I'm part of the town . Volunteering at the Center was very rewarding. Love to be able to give ...
    I stayed 3weeks on Isabella volunteering in the tortoise centre. Volunteering and visiting the Galapagos Islands were both on my bucket list so not only a lifetime achievement for me but I'm happy to say I loved every minute of it. Mornings are spent at the tortoise centre - learning and working ...
    Rosetta Justina Nardoianni rating5

    2023 at Assistant in a Giant Tortoise Breeding Center

    Very warm welcome from IOI Volunter. First day, city tour of Isabela Island where I was shown the different restaurants approved with IOI and where I could take my meals with a card with my name and photo. The meals were all delicious. First day of work described by the manager of the Breeding ...
    My 3 weeks of this volunteer project were amazing. All the people are very kind. My family was amazing, they took me as a new familymember and they did great activities with me. Also the other volunteers, the people from IOI and from the breeding centre were very nice. I made a lot of unforgettable ...

    Plaats

    Amerika > Zuid-Amerika > Ecuador > Galapagos

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