This project is not a zoo but a rescue centre for animals of the Amazon in Ecuador, existing since 1993. It is located in the province of Napo, in the community Ahuano at the edge of the forest protected "Selva Viva", Puerto Barantilla, 40 km to the town of Tena. It is a private project, which means that don’t receive any financial support from the Ecuadorian government. The project is dependent on the entree fees and the donations given by the visitors and organisations. With the entree fees is possible cover the costs of the food for the animals and the donations is used for special necessities or improvements for the animals that need that at that time.

This Centre is part of the project to protect the forest, consisting of 1300 hectares of protected rainforest named ‘Selva Viva’. This forest is from a Swiss cooperation and daily managed by Angelika and Remigio. All days rangers are walking through this forest to make sure nobody hunts and/or destroys anything. Also part of this project are two hotels, lodges. One is named Runa Huasi, managed by Quichua families and the other lodge is ‘Liana Lodge’, run by Angelika and Remigio. This hotel is more luxury than Runa Huasi (for example it has hot showers). The hotel helps to have a more stabile financial support for the other projects.

Program Description

The project was started in 1993, and ever since has been receiving wild animals (confiscated by the Ecuadorian government) which were previously being traded illegally on the black market. Though the trafficking of wildlife is prohibited in Ecuador, as is keeping wild animals as pets, people nevertheless buy monkeys, macaws and even ocelots on the black market. After a while the owner discovers that, for example, monkeys defecate everywhere and can not be housebroken. The pet soon loses its novelty and is brought to us. In addition, local hunters may shoot a mother and bring any babies to the centre.
Most of the animals arrive at the project in bad condition: malnourished, wounded due to being tied up and mostly full of parasites. Approximately one fourth of the animals die either on their way to the rescue centre or in the first days of living here. Another fourth can successfully be set free. These are only the adult and healthy animals that are not used to human handling. The remaining half must remain at centre – either living free in the area or in enclosures, thus protecting them from other animals.

Volunteer Activities

1. Animals Feed
2. Cleaning of the cages
3. Administrating special food and medicines
4. Cleaning the paths in the centre
5. Guiding tourists
6. Carrying fruits (bananas, papaya and others)
7. Helping in the administration

Volunteer Profile

- Have love for animals
- Know how to work hard and not to be afraid to get dirty
- Have an intermediate level of Spanish, to be able to guide in Spanish

Services within the Project

House, Shower-toilet, cold water

Services near to the Project

Closest health centre, hospital, internet, telephone is to be found in Tena, one and half hour by bus.

Accommodation and Food

There are 2 houses connected, every room has 1 or 2 beds, no electricity. At night there are candles. There is a shower-toilet in each house. There is a kitchen where the volunteers prepare and have breakfast and dinner together (and in the weekend as well lunch). The volunteers are responsible for the costs of their food, the project does not have the financial satisfaction to cover the costs of food for teh volunteers, for this reason it is asked that the volunteer contributes with 125 USD each month.

What does the Volunteer need to bring?

• Rubber boots
• Slipper or flip-flops
• Towel
• Flashlight
• Batteries/ matches
• Raincoat
• Sleeping bag
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Canteen
• Bathing suit
• Small jackknife
• Ziplock bags
• Labor gloves
• Shampoo, sunblock, first aid kit
• Long sleeve shirts, and t-shirts
• Blouses or shirts
• Trekking shoes
• Cap or hat
• Camera-binoculars
• Glasses
• Small bags
• Books

Duration

The minimum time required to work in this project is two months and there is not a maximum determination.

Free time

In the program, the volunteer are going to have a schedule of different activities and you will work 8 hours or more daily, but on your free days you will have time to relax, to walk through the forest guided or unguided, visit nearby village, visit nearby reforestation project or practice sports. You will have 2 free days during the weekends.

Requirements

You do not need a college education in order to work in the conservation activities. You do need, however, a great interest in the conservation of nature and special love for animals. You must also be conditioned to work hard during your stay in the project.
All the volunteers need to have an intermediate knowledge of the Spanish language before starting their volunteer work. If the volunteer is not at this level, Ecuador Volunteer could help his/her to find the best program to improve their Spanish skills before starting the project.