Portugal – Wolf Conservation and Lisbon Experience – Images

Portugal is a stunning country in southwestern Europe bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and Spain to the north and east. Its rocky history with dictatorship left it one of the poorest countries in Europe pre-1974 when democracy was then introduced and gave rise to the inspiring current-day prosperity found in the region. The county’s rich culture, picturesque countryside, and lively cities make Portugal both a fantastic tourist destination and unique home to its roughly 10 million warm and hospitable locals.

The capital city of Lisbon is a popular tourist destination, and is most well-known for its bright yellow trains. The reserve is located in the district of Lisbon, on the west coast of Portugal, and is just a tad more than half an hour’s drive from Lisbon.

Join a non-governmental, non-profit association dedicated to conserving the wolf and its ecosystem in Portugal. This program seeks to guarantee the survival of the wolf in Portugal through applied research, practical conservation efforts and educating the community about environmental issues.

The wolf reserve sits on an impressive 18 hectares (44 acres), allowing the wolves to roam in a proper habitat. The reserve is a haven for wolves that can no longer live in the wild. The wolves at this center were either born in captivity or illegally removed from the wild and raised in illegal captive conditions. The wolves contribute to increasing public awareness for the conservation of the species.

Volunteer tasks may vary, depending on the current needs of the project.

Some of your tasks may include:

• Preparing food – Please note: food preparation involves handling and cutting raw meat.;
• Feeding the wolves;
• Checking the wolves’ water supply (during summer at least three times per day)
• Monitoring and observing the wolves;
• Forest maintenance (70% of the time): tree felling and pruning; removal of branches and other materials and subsequent burning; vegetation clearing using agricultural tools like hoes and scythes; and so on. During the summer (May to October) volunteers participate in fire watch, which can include night rounds;
• Infrastructure maintenance: checking enclosure’s walls and fences, painting; pathways improvement.

Internet: WiFi is available at the hostel and is available in the office room of the accommodations area at the volunteer program.

Laundry: A washing machine is available for use at the volunteer program

Accommodations: During the first two nights in Lisbon, volunteers will stay in shared, mixed-gender dorm rooms in a hostel with up to six people per room. Private room upgrades are available at an additional fee. During the volunteer program, volunteers will stay in wooden volunteer houses. The program price includes a 4 bed mixed gender dorm room. Private room upgrades on the program site are temporarily unavailable in the 2023 season.

Food: While in Lisbon, volunteers are responsible for their own meals. During the volunteer program, the local team takes volunteers to a nearby supermarket for groceries. Volunteers must pay for and prepare their own meals.

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

• Minimum age of 18
• Fluent level of English or Portuguese
• Good level of physical fitness
• Able to work as part of a team
• Able to complete tasks independently

Volunteers have two days off per week, but extra days are possible if requested.
Here are some travel suggestions for your free days:

– Science and Natural History Museum
– Botanic Garden
– Lisbon Story Centre
– Fado Museum
– Dolphin watching in Lisbon or Setúbal
– Sintra – a lot of palaces to visit, very nice village and very good cakes at “Piriquita”
– Óbidos – a beautiful village surrounded by a castle- Mafra Palace
– Ericeira – a typical village close to the beach. You can go to the beach or take surf/paddle board lessons!