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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!

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.

Duration

2 weeks minimum 12 weeks maximum

Start Dates

All Mondays of every month

Requirements

There are no formal requirements, but we strongly recommend that you have some basic Spanish skills. It is necessary to have a basic level of fitness, as most of the work consists of carrying heavy loads (even during distribution of food and water for the animals), using tools and walking up and down the center.