Costa Rica is a well-known destination for sustainable and nature tourism. Yet, its diverse wildlife is still under many threats. These include habitat loss because of development, electrocutions, dog and cat attacks, and illegal pet trading.
The Alajuela Rescue Center is home to various species of birds, monkeys, macaws, parrots, opossums, porcupines, and many sloths. Animal enclosures include an aviary, sloth gardens and monkey cages that are surrounded by nature to provide the animals a stimulating habitat for rehabilitation and well being.
As a volunteer, you can help the local staff treat sick, injured and orphaned animals. Their primary goal is to release animals back to the wild when possible.
Your tasks may include:
- Preparing food for over 100+ animals
- Feeding the animals
- Washing the animals’ eating and drinking areas
- Washing utensils & cleaning the kitchen where food is prepared
- Separating ripe and green fruit and storing in proper areas
- Distributing food on the trails and around the rescue center
- Placing fresh water in the bird cages
- Providing a caring environment for the animals and checking for injuries
- Monitoring activities: weekly walks on trails to monitor wild animals and supply fresh fruit; look out for any new wild animals on the premises and report sightings; visit the observation area to check the animals and monitor their behavior.
- Facility maintenance chores: repairing, cleaning, planting, installing, building, painting, reforesting, etc. Assisting the on-site vet when possible.
- Foraging for leaves & branches
- Gardening
- Building and implementing new animal playthings made of wood, tree branches, or trunks (animal enrichment).
- Taking part in educational community projects.
Daily schedule:
07:30 – breakfast
08:45 – Morning meeting and allocation of volunteer task groups.
12:00 – Lunch and free time
13:30 – Afternoon meeting and continuation of volunteer tasks
18:00 – Dinner, free-time and occasional fun night activities.
Note: schedule and tasks may vary depending on the amount of volunteers and tasks required.
Internship option: For an additional fee, qualified volunteers can join this program as an intern. To ensure a valuable experience, interns must join this internship for a minimum of four weeks volunteer work plus 1 week of the Culture/Immersion week and it requires an intermediate level of Spanish proficiency. Please contact us to discuss this option.
