• Life On Land

Wildlife Rehabilitation - a Jungle Adventure

location
4 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Gain firsthand knowledge about animal rehabilitation and environmental education.
  • Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Amazon while learning from experienced professionals.
  • Indulge in the joy of working with animals and making a positive impact.
  • Support our mission of rehabilitating and releasing wild animals affected by illegal trafficking.
  • Explore the breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups

About the program

Interested in animals and nature conservation? This is your place. Come help us save the rainforest and its amazing creatures.

Help, Learn, Enjoy!

About the Project

We rehabilitate wild animals who were victims of illegal trafficking and release them back into the Amazon. We provide a safe home for those who can't be released, and create awareness about the perils of wildlife trafficking within our community and around the ...

About the program

Help, Learn, Enjoy!

About the Project

We rehabilitate wild animals who were victims of illegal trafficking and release them back into the Amazon. We provide a safe home for those who can't be released, and create awareness about the perils of wildlife trafficking within our community and around the world.

Our mission is to conserve Amazon wildlife, support indigenous communities, and make a real contribution to a healthier planet for all. As an amaZOOnico volunteer you will be directly involved in our work, helping and learning while going on a unique meaningful journey of your own.  
Experience the Amazon and help us to protect the forest and its animals. Help us with the daily work of caring for the animals - feeding, cleaning, enrichments, and environmental education. Work at Amazoonico is hard but very rewarding!

Who can join us?
If you are passionate about animals and nature conservation, we are your place! 
Join us in the Ecuadorian rainforest and help us to protect the forest and its animals. Take advantage of a unique opportunity to participate in our project.
*We follow strict biosafety rules in regards to COVID-19

Typical day

Work is very hard but also extremely rewarding.

Volunteers help 5 days a week, and have two days off. As we work 7 days a week your days off will not necessarily be at the weekends. The main work is caring for the animals. We have resident and temporary animals. All must be fed two times daily and ...

Typical day

Work is very hard but also extremely rewarding.

Volunteers help 5 days a week, and have two days off. As we work 7 days a week your days off will not necessarily be at the weekends. The main work is caring for the animals. We have resident and temporary animals. All must be fed two times daily and their enclosures cleaned. The work can be physically tough, for example we carry whole banana trunks and other fruit which we buy for the animals from local people three times a week. You will be expected to guide tourists around, giving information about our projects and animals. In addition, volunteers perform other duties like building enrichments, collecting fresh leaves for the animals, helping with the new construction projects and helping maintain the center in general. We also encourage our volunteers to let us know if they have skills and ideas to support us further.

A typical day:

7 am
  • Clean the cages and feed the animals. This is usually done alongside at least one other volunteer and the cages you look after will vary so you get to do them all across the week. Twice a week at this time you will help carry the heavy fruits from the river up to the centre.
9 – 9:30 am
  • Breakfast + clean the utensils that you used for cleaning the cages after breakfast.
9:30 am – 1 pm
  • Clean the bodega + perform additional tasks. Tasks include things such as preparing enrichment foods for the animals, cleaning the volunteer house, collecting leaves for the animals, fixing cages etc
  • Lead guided educational visits around the centre as required
1 – 2 pm
  • Lunch
2 pm – approximately 4pm
  • Prepare food for the animals afternoon feeding and feed the animals 
  • Clean the bodega
  • Perform the individual end of day task, such as additional cleaning or feeding
4pm onwards
  • Free time to enjoy the river, relax in a hammock or take a walk
7-8pm - on rotation typically 1 x per week
  • Prepare dinner for the volunteers

Free-time activities

Free time is precious time 

🧘🏊🚶🛌🚣🧗🤸📚

At amaZOOnico, we expect volunteers to work hard, but we also expect them to take time to slow-down and enjoy the experience to the fullest. 

You are free to rest or explore around after work. 

The favorite after-work activities are: 

  • walkin

Free-time activities

Free time is precious time 

🧘🏊🚶🛌🚣🧗🤸📚

At amaZOOnico, we expect volunteers to work hard, but we also expect them to take time to slow-down and enjoy the experience to the fullest. 

You are free to rest or explore around after work. 

The favorite after-work activities are: 

  • walking around the jungle
  • swimming in the river
  • resting in the hammocks and listening to music. 

We are sure you will find more than one way to make the most out of your amazing amaZOOnico adventure.

Every week you are assigned two days off, when you can join our forest rangers in their patrols around Selva Viva, our protected area where wildlife thrives, or stay cozy, rest and enjoy. You can also visit Tena the local city to relax or enjoy some food and drinks.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

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

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

-Passion for wildlife conservation -Ability to perform strenuous activities in hot humid rainforest conditions -Comfort residing in a remote tropical location, with limited communication -Comfort working and communicating in a multicultural context -Positive can-do attitude -Fluent English or Spanish. French or German also useful but not required.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:00 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Amazoonico

The volunteer fee is used for:
  • Food  
  • Room 
  • Maintenance of the volunteers house
  • Cleaning supplies

Accommodation

🏡We have single, double and triple rooms. The rooms are assigned based on the number of volunteers and could be we need you to share a room. We provide sheets, a pillow and a thin blanket

👨‍🍳A gas stove is available at the volunteer house

🚿There are 4 showers and 4 toilets. Cold showers are a perfect match for long days working, and sweating, in the hot rainforest. 

🔌We have electricity at amaZOOnico, so we recommend you to bring adapters that fit the type of connection that exists in Ecuador

📡In our animal rescue center there is no WIF at the volunteer house. However, volunteers can access at amaZOOnico's research center and little gift shop. Additionally, around much of the center you can find 3G cellular phone signal with the phone company Claro. A local Ecuador SIM is required.

Food & Beverages

Food is included in the volunteer monthly fee. 
The food includes such items as pasta, rice, eggs, flour, powdered milk, legumes and fresh vegetables (depending on what is available). Coffee, tea, cocoa, milk and water are available as well.

Beer, sodas, and chocolates are to be found, however you must pay for these items.

From Monday to Friday, there is a local cook who prepares breakfast and lunch (you can choose a meat or vegetarian option). During the weekends, we take turns to prepare breakfast and lunch for everyone. The volunteers are in charge of cooking dinners every night in a rotating plan. All the dinners during the week and breakfasts and lunches on the weekend are vegetarian.

Internet Access

Limited 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.

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

 **ARRIVALS ARE ON SUNDAYS 11:30AM ONLY**

Departure from Quito

“FastTravel”, is a company of shared taxis. They take you from wherever you are in Quito to Tena or Puerto Barrantilla. The rates are as follows:

  • Quito - Tena (shared taxi): 20 USD

  • Quito - Tena (private taxi): 80 USD

  • Quito - Puerto Barrantilla (private taxi): 100USD

  • Tena - Puerto Barrantilla (private taxi): 25USD

You can contact them via WhatsApp (preferably in Spanish) to the following number:  +593 98 344 2850. The departure times for the shared taxi service  are: 5am, 12m, and 5pm. It takes about 4 hours to get to Tena. If you hire the private taxi service, then they can pick you up at any time you wish.

The road is mostly in excellent condition and the landscape is gorgeous! Spanning from high paramo to dense cloudforest with stunning waterfalls to tropical rainforest.

In Tena

In Tena, go to the Terminal Centinela del Tena to get the bus to PUERTO BARANTILLA.  Buy a ticket for the stop "Puerto Barantilla"($2.40).  Ask the driver to let you know when arriving at Puerto Barantilla. 

Departure time from Tena to Puerto Barrantilla 

  • 10:00am (This is the only bus time that allows you to arrive in amaZOOnico at 11:30am)

**Send us a message on whatsapp +593 99 414 3395 to confirm your departure time from Tena so we can arrange the canoe to pick you up**. 

In Puerto Barantilla

You should arrive at Puerto Barantilla after 1.5 hours on the bus. A small path leads to the river. Wait there for the canoe to get you. Most likely, the name of the canoe is “Niño Jordan” and often the driver is Guido or his son, Romeo.

You have to pay for the canoe, the total is 6USD for the whole canoe. If you are arriving with other volunteers you can divide this amount among all of you. Please bring change as the canoe driver won’t have any. 

Message us on whatsapp +593 99414 3395  if you have any problem or delay in your journey.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 497€
5 weeks 546€
6 weeks 655€
7 weeks 763€
11 weeks 1,200€
19 weeks 2,073€
50 weeks (max. stay) 6,213€
Average fees 124€/week

Program fees

124€ per week 4 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

4 - 50 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 Amazoonico during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

Amazoonico

Brilliant 4.7 rating (26 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 1993

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Sandra

Spoken languages: English, Spanish

About the project

We rehabilitate and reintroduce wild animals, who were victims of illegal trafficking, back into their natural habitats, and take care of those who can't be reintroduced

Meet your organization

In 1993, Angelika Raimann and Remigio Canelos, a Swiss-Quichua couple, with their friend Christine von Steiger, wanted to protect the fauna of the Amazon, so they created amaZOOnico, a center that would receive, rehabilitate, and reintroduce wild animals that had been confiscated from illegal trade.

Today, amaZOOnico has become one of the best animal rescue centers in Ecuador. One of amaZOOnico's strengths is that our team is made of a mix of the traditional knowledge and wisdom of local people and a vast array of perspectives and experiences brought by people coming from all around the world.

Within 5 hectares, we rehabilitate animals in order to reintroduce them in their natural habitats, we care for more than 400 animals that can't be released back into the wild and we carry out environmental activities with visitors. Those who can be released to their natural habitats, are rehabilitated and them released back into the Amazon.

26 reviews · rating4.7

I cant recommend this experience enough. It is a unique and amazing mix of hard work, building relationships with beautiful but damaged animals and meeting great new people and spending free time together. You should treat it like a job because your fellow volunteers and the animals are depending on ...
Rodrigue DE ALMEIDA rating5

2023 at Wildlife Rehabilitation - a Jungle Adventure

My time in AmaZOOnico was a beautiful experience. The place is beautiful and the people is amazing ! Taking care of the animals and giving educational tours for tourists was a meaningful ...
As a 66 year old young voluntair I can let you know that my two months stay in Amazoonico in the rainforest was a powerful mix with young volonteers from all over the world . We as Europeans can still learn a lot from the way of life and philosophy of Amazoonico and the Kichwa people who lives ...
A very unique experience living in the Amazon for 1 month. The accommodation is basic, but after not very long you realise you don’t miss much from the modern world, all you need is good company and you can survive anywhere. I had the best time being with the animals everyday and met awesome ...
Maya Andrea Lægreid rating4.8

2023 at Wildlife Rehabilitation - a Jungle Adventure

I had an amazing time at Amazoonico. You get to work very closely and learn a lot about the native animals of the Amazonian rainforest. I myself got the incredible experience of helping to take care of an orphaned spider monkey. I also made great friends and we made experiences for life together. ..
Chiara Hoffmann rating4.8

2023 at Wildlife Rehabilitation - a Jungle Adventure

I was there with my best friend for 4 weeks. Truly it was one of the most memorable times in my life. Yes you have to work hard, wake up early, the food could be better, you carry heavy stuff and have to act responsibly at all times, but that is life. And it pays off! You learn a lot about yourself ...

Location

Americas > South America > Ecuador > Napo

You might also be interested in

Volunteer Abroad  >  Animals  >  Wildlife Conservation in Ecuador
Contact Sandra
  Very high response rate
English, Spanish

Most volunteers ask about

Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Sandra
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