Wildlife Rescue Volunteer Project, Costa Rica

This Wildlife Rescue centre rescues injured and abandoned animals with the aim of returning them to the wild as soon as they are fit and able. For those who can no longer fend for themselves in the wild, we make them as comfortable as possible and hope that their presence will help to educate others of the dangers these precious animals face and what we can do to live more harmoniously with them in nature.

Volunteers are welcome all year round to help at the centre with the animals and also in the community. We also welcome long term Conservation and Wildlife Biology interns for 12 week durations.

Volunteers can join for 2 weeks up to 12 weeks in duration. Volunteers work up to 8 hours each day 6 days a week, allowing time off for Spanish lessons, Yoga or Surfing or just relaxing.

Duties for 2 week volunteers may include but are not limited to:

• Animal diet preparation
• Feeding pre-release animals
• Enclosure cleaning and maintenance
• Making enrichment for animals
• Grounds maintenance and gardening
• Foraging for leaves and branches
• Sign painting
• Photography (under the reserve’s T&Cs)

If you volunteer for 3-11 weeks, your duties will include those listed for 2 week volunteers as well as the following:

• Nursery animal handling
• Syringe and bottle feeding
• ICU record keeping
• Wound care
• Administering medicine
• Capuchin monkey in Costa Rica

And we also offer Long Term Volunteer positions for 12 weeks which are greatly discounted in cost. You must be over 18 years to apply. Duties are all of the above in addition to:

• Force feeding*
• Tube feeding*
• Animal restraint*
• Other duties, as needs dictate

*As long as the volunteer is willing to be trained and shows competence

Volunteers will also be assigned to tasks according to their own specialised skills when possible. Volunteering also comes with waterfall hikes, tidal pools, and beach outings around the Nicoya Peninsula.

Location

Volunteers can spend time at the beautiful Montezuma Waterfalls (right), or visiting tidal pools or beaches throughout the Nicoya Province. A lot of people come to this part of Costa Rica for surfing and for its beauty and also to visit the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is the pioneer of wildlife and environmental conservation in Costa Rica, which became the first protected area in Costa Rica in 1963. Situated on the extreme southern tip of the Nicoya peninsula it protects 1788 hectares of ocean and 1270 hectares of tropical forest, 15% of which is primary forest where rare tree, bird and other endangered animal species can find refuge.

Up until now, 150 species of trees and around 240 species of birds have been recorded in Cabo Blanco, making it an important wildlife sanctuary. Among Cabo Blanco’s endangered animals are the Jaguar, Puma, Ocelot, Jaguarundi, Margay cat, Spotted Owl, Caracara, and Giant Egret.

Accommodation

You will be based in the volunteer accommodation within the grounds of the Wildlife Rescue centre surrounded by tropical gardens. You will have a choice between staying in the simple or deluxe rooms.

Project Dates

You can join the Wildlife Rescue Volunteer and Internship Programme for 2 up to 12 weeks throughout the year.