ECOLOGICAL PROJECT GP-EC3 IN GUATEMALA

This project is a Wild Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in the northern region of Guatemala. The organization is a non-profit Guatemalan NGO formed in 1989 by a group of Guatemalan citizens who became concerned as they saw their precious natural heritage - especially their wildlife - rapidly disappearing before their eyes. It was originally created for a very specific and urgent purpose: to build a rescue center to care for and rehabilitate wild animals that were being confiscated on the black market by the Guatemalan government.
Since its establishment, the Rescue Center has grown into one of the largest and most complex rescue centers in the world, receiving between 300 and 600 animals of more than 40 species per year. The animals in the center include parrots, macaws, spider and howler monkeys, margays, ocelots, coatimundis, taras and kinkajous.

Volunteers will help with the following tasks:

• Help feeding the animals and caring for them.
• Cleaning out cages
• Take part in veterinary medical treatment (no participation guarantee)
• Animal releases (no participation guarantee)
• Wildlife surveys (no participation guarantee)

For volunteers with a higher level of Spanish language ability the Environmental Education Program offers the opportunity to conduct a range of environmental education activities, including reforestations with school children, beach clean-ups, hatchling releases and ecotours of underprivileged children.

The organization also host volunteers who want to conduct internships as part of their university studies. These interns generally commit to a longer period of time and must be able to speak Spanish fairly well. Past interns have taken on specific projects such as the development of ecotourism activities, public relations strategies, inventories of flora and fauna and sea turtle research.

1. Basic level of Spanish
2. Minimum age 18
3. Individual initiative
4. Commitment and dedication to the project
5. Happy to work independently
6. Accustomed to working in at times "rustic" conditions
7. Willingness to also do daily, mundane chores such as cleaning cages and washing dishes

The minimum time for a volunteer at this organization is one week; however, we highly recommend a volunteer period of 4 weeks at least to make the most of your stay.

Spanish language ability is not required, but in general, your ability to speak some Spanish will greatly enhance your effectiveness as well as your satisfaction with the experience of the project. If you don’t already speak and you plan to volunteer for an extended period, we recommend that you spend your first weeks studying in Antigua, a world-renowned Spanish language center and a stunningly beautiful colonial city surrounded by volcanoes. Please ask us for further information and prices.