Location: Peten, Guatemala
Duration: Minimum 1 week
Start Dates: Project is on-going, and you can join at any time, depending upon availability. Placements start each Monday
Cost:
450 GBP for the 1st week
Includes: All food, accommodation, airport pickup, orientation 24/7 support and all project related activities
Does not Include: flights, travel insurance, visas and vaccinations
Fee Includes: all food, accommodation, pre-departure + in-country support, orientation and all project related activities
Does not Include: flights, travel insurance, personal spending, visas and vaccinations
Benefits
- Work alongside scientists and biologists treating and rehabilitating many different species
- Flexible placement, tailored according to your interests and abilities
- Opportunity to assist in ongoing research if available
- Keywords: wildlife rehabilitation, biology, zoology, dissertation research, internships
Please note: This opportunity is designed to give you the contacts and experience to help further your career. You are not replacing any member of staff, but helping alongside them, whilst learning new skills.
Simply click the APPLY Button to submit your application, and ask as many questions as you need.
Introduction
Animal lovers, conservationists and scientific researchers alike are invited to this special sanctuary in the remote northern region of Guatemala. The centre is situated on 45 hectares of forested land in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve, and is home to a number of species including Parrots, Macaws, Spider and Howler monkeys, Margays, Ocelots, Coatimundis, Taras and Kinkajous.
Nearly all of these animals have been seized from smugglers and are very young, needing constant care and attention. As you help these animals rehabilitate back into the wild you will get very close to some of the most unique species on the planet. In addition to feeding and caring for the animals there are opportunities for research at the centre, ensuring that your time at the Centre is tailored to your personal and career goals
Daily Life
A typical day on the project involves the following activities;
6:30 Animal Husbandry and Care
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-11:00 Chores around the Center
11:00 Animal Husbandry
12:00 Finish up Choresv
1:00 Lunch
2:00 Animal Husbandry
3:00 Individual projects, Relaxing, Trips to Flores, Swimming, Hiking.
6:00 Dinner +amp; socializing
Much of the work that takes place at the Rescue Centre is in the maintenance and pre-rehabilitation areas; although in special cases they will help in the quarantine, clinic and rehabilitation cages. For long term volunteers or with advanced knowledge in animal care, there may be opportunities to feed baby birds like Parrots, woodpeckers, toucans and many other species.
When an animal requires it and the staff indicates it, some species like baby howler monkeys, baby anteaters and baby carnivores may need more attention, closer care and even hand feeding. This is where some long term volunteers can be taken in consideration for this responsibility. The rescue center is equipped with a fully functional veterinary clinic where recently received animals receive immediate attention, special diets and treatments.
In Addition To The Regular Daily Feeding And Care Of The Animals, We Usually Have Special On-going Activities In Which Youcan Participate. These Activities Include
- Construction of cages or extra buildings.
- Gathering of wild foods for the animals.
- Giving tours and creating educational exhibits at Kinkajou Kingdom.
- Participating in additional environmental education activities and community projects
- Enrichment of cages and enclosures by adding toys, perches and other stimuli that help the animal in their rehabilitation process.
Depending on your experience and skills, you may also be asked to help in veterinary medical treatment and surgeries as well as in the periodic blood and feces samples we must take to monitor the health of the animals.
Perhaps the most satisfying work at the centre are the animal releases which we carry out 2-6 times per year. Volunteers may assist in these releases depending on time and space availability if the release is off site. All volunteers are able to participate in onsite releases.
The number of animals at the centre varies depending on the time of year (breeding/trafficking season is April-July) however there is constant work all year round for volunteers working in the enclosures with the animals. The amount of work varies depending on how many volunteers are at the centre, however when we have more volunteers we take advantage of any down times we have to do maintenance, or small project work to improve the centre.
In addition, volunteers are encouraged to develop their own individual projects. If you see potential for such a special project, let us know and we will work with you to translate that idea into practice. In the past, volunteers have taken on projects such as developing interpretive exhibits and trails, studying the behaviours of animals in the centre and conducting educational activities in neighbouring schools. Its great to have ideas, but sometimes the difficult part is translating those ideas into practice.
Please note: all information above is subject to change. Please check the most up to date information on the Global Nomadic website when applying. Simply follow the link on the Apply Button above.
