Amazon Animal Rescue

  • animal rescue volunteers in the Ecuadorian Amazon region
  • Volunteering at Paseo de los Monos in Ecuador
  • Many different types of monkeys are rescued at Paseo de los Monos in Ecuador
  • Animal rescue center for monkeys and other rainforest animals in Ecuador

An animal rescue center in the Amazon rainforest

This is a privately funded wildlife rescue center founded in 2007 by a Swiss-Ecuadorian couple. It is open to the public and schools groups for tours, proving education about these species and their fate as illegal pets or trafficked animals, but their main goal is the protection of animal life in the Amazon through rescue and rehabilitation.

The rescue center is located 15 minutes from the town of Puyo, and is located in native forest. The animals are not kept in cages but in big parks where they live in their natural habitat. The goal is to rescue and rehabilitate the wild animals that have been victims of illegal traffic and most of them are orphans. Most of the animals are monkeys, coaties, turtles, birds, wild pigs and rodents and ocelots. There is also a vivarium destined for rescuing reptiles and to educate the community about their importance to the environment.

Ecuador has been blessed with jungles, mangroves and forests, with an immense diversity of exotic animals. Many of these animals face the danger of being hunted and kept in captivity as pets, are sold for economic gain, or are at risk of losing their habitat due to deforestation. Paseo de los Monos is dedicated to offering rescued animals a new home where they can live in an environment close to their natural habitat, and rehabilitating them into the wild when possible.

"My two weeks here were the highlight of my time in Ecuador. I fell in love with the animals and was so distressed to hear some of the stories but so heartened at the same time to be abel to contribute something to their recovery and release."

Range of tasks:

The main tasks of volunteers are:

  • Assist with animal feeding and care, cleaning cages
  • Park maintenance and making new paths
  • Construction of enclosures and creation of play structures for the animals
  • Assist with tours for school students and other visitors to the park
  • Planting trees and reforestation
  • Making an inventory of species and biodiversity in the center
Time commitment:
 Minimum two weeks.
spanish level:

Beginner. English, Spanish, French and basic German are spoken by the owner and several of the other coordinators.
Work schedule:
 8 am-12pm and 2pm-5pm. Volunteers get one day off per week.
Accommodation:
 Volunteers stay in a shared cabin on site. Prices depend on duration of stay. Contact us for more information.
Skills required:
 Enthusiasm, creativity, artistic skills, cooperation, interest for wildlife, commitment, and ability to follow instructions. Professionals in the fields of veterinary sciences, biology, zoology or other related areas can assist the sanctuary’s coordinator with animal care and the more technical functions.
Accepted donations:
 Contact us to find out what the needs are at this time.
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READ REVIEWS OF THIS PROJECT

"My experiences in Ecuador far exceeded my expectations! I wish I could have stayed to volunteer for longer. The volunteer coordinaters were awesome. Keep up the good work Yanapuma!"

The advantages of arranging everything throuh Yanapuma are:

1. You can be assured the the project is reliable and well run
2. We will provide you with a full orientation in Quito
3. Yanapuma will have set the volunteer program up specifically for you
4. We will accompany you there to get you settled in
5. There will be no nasty surprises when you get there
6. Yanapuma will offer ongoing volunteer support throughout
7. Your volunteering will be in aid of a worthwhile cause
8. You will be contributing to our ongoing sustainable development work