Animal welfare and rehabilitation

Located about an hour's drive from the Ecuadorian town of Puyo, the 100-hectare area with enclosures is surrounded by the impressive Amazon rainforest. It is home to several species of monkeys such as Titi or Capuchin, peccaries, kinkajous, Tayras, Margays or Tree-ocelots, turtles, parrots, and macaws.

The project collaborates with the Ecuadorian Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Environment in the fight against illegal animal trade, animal cruelty, and the illegal hunting of wild animals. Animals that are rescued or confiscated are brought to the project where they receive veterinary treatment and conditioning for release into the wild.

Unfortunately, awareness of animal welfare and wildlife is still not widespread in Ecuador. Many animals kept as pets exhibit aggressive and/or depressive behavior due to abuse and neglect by their owners. Consequently, numerous animals are brought to the project in neglected and/or injured conditions, particularly those that have been in captivity for extended periods, often displaying significant behavioral disorders.

The project benefits from biologists from Spain and France who utilize operant conditioning techniques aimed at reintroducing wild animals to their natural environment. As a volunteer or intern, you can gain valuable insight into this fascinating field, which features various approaches depending on the species of animal.

However, release into the wild is not always feasible, as some animals have become too accustomed to captivity and are unable to survive on their own. For such cases, the project provides a new permanent home on its spacious grounds. Enhancing the living environment through design and enrichment is crucial to supporting these animals, and the project's biologists, who are experts in this field, will impart their knowledge to you.

Other learning opportunities include handling clinical cases, newborns, and animal nutrition.

Your field of activity

As a volunteer, you will be involved in animal care, including food preparation and feeding. You will have the opportunity to assist with behavioral observations and rehabilitation activities. Additionally, assistance with facility maintenance is required, which may involve enclosure repairs or new construction projects that you can participate in.

Your program location in the Amazon Rainforest

In addition to Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, Ecuador is among the Amazon countries. Approximately 42 percent of Ecuador's territory is covered by rainforest, which represents only 2 percent of the entire Amazon basin. However, despite Ecuador's relatively small size, its incredible biodiversity includes approximately 20,000 plant species, 1,500 bird species, over 840 amphibians and reptiles, and more than 300 mammal species, making it one of the world's most biodiverse countries.

Unfortunately, Ecuador also ranks among the highest in terms of the destruction of this unique ecosystem. The exploitation of oil reserves and oil production, along with mining, logging, and deforestation for agricultural purposes, have caused significant damage to both the environment and human communities.

Our project site is situated near Arajuno, approximately one hour's drive northeast of the Ecuadorian jungle town of Puyo, surrounded by nothing but the awe-inspiring rainforest.