Volunteer work
Volunteer work in the Amazon of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia
There are many organisations that sell short term volunteer work in the Amazon Rainforest. Unfortunately many of those programs are unprofessional, expensive or both. Their volunteer programs are mainly designed to earn money and please the volunteer.
If you really want to do volunteer work to make a difference, we recommend that you dedicate at least a month or longer to work as a volunteer, learn new skills, make new friends and exchange experiences. Look for a project that appeals to you find out what they stand for, what their goals are, hwo they want to reach those and how you can help.
The volunteer projects mentioned below are managed by trustful and dedicated people with years of experience.
Merazonia Animal refuge in Ecuador
The volunteer work at Merazonia is all about rescue, rehabilitation and monitoring wildlife from the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Merazonia is a dynamic wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre located on 250 acres of Amazon rainforest, near Mera, Ecuador, South America.
We combine passion for nature with a professional approach on animal care and release, along with rainforest conservation and wildlife monitoring.
Volunteers help us in the day to day care of the wildlife.
Esperanza Verde animal refuge in Peru
Esperanza Verde is a conservation project in the Amazon basin of Peru, consisting of both wildlife rescue and rainforest protection.
In Pucallpa many wildlife species find their way into the local markets to be sold either for food or as pets. Because this is illegal, many animals are regularly confiscated. These animals need a home for the rest of their lives and, if possible, need rehabilitation and reintroduction into the wild.
Our aim is to work closely together with the local community, offering alternative sources of income, so that the forest and its inhabitants can be managed in a sustainable way.
The projects now owns 180 hectares of rainforest, named ‘Selva Dormida’. With the help of the people of Bello Horizonte, the neighboring village, we hope to be able to protect a bigger area in the future.
Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi
In 1996 the volunteers of CIWY became pioneers by establishing the first animal refuge for wildlife in Bolivia and actively promoting conservation.
For over 20 years now CIWY has dedicated its efforts towards battling wildlife trafficking, conservation, as well as rescuing animals which have been victims of mistreatment and illegal trading. Most of those animals find a new and peaceful home at CIWY while some might still be able to rehabilitate and send back into nature.
But we don’t only look after the animals, we also try to give disadvantaged Bolivian youth a sense of purpose through involvement with wildlife care, and we try to educate the Bolivian public to respect wildlife and nature.
As Bolivia’s leading organization in wildlife rights and care, we hope to make drastic changes in our country’s view of wild animals and make strides in ending a cruel trade that removes them from their natural homes.
