Volunteer to care for rescued wildlife at the Peru Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary

Volunteer at an ethical rescue & release Sanctuary to help us care for rescued wildlife from the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest.

1 to 12 weeks from £612 / US$735

This rescue, rehabilitation and release centre promotes and protects the welfare of rainforest animals and the conservation of their habitat. There you will work with sloths, monkeys and birds.

Project Overview

Volunteer with Wildlife in Peru for an unforgettable adventure! Experience life in the amazing Peruvian Amazon Rainforest while helping care for wonderful rescued animals.

Animals rescued by the sanctuary include sloths, howler monkeys, birds and more. Volunteers stay at the animal sanctuary for a life changing experience!

The Peru Wildlife Sanctuary provides an unforgettable amazon jungle experience for those wanting to help rescued wildlife. Help care for, rehabilitate and hopefully release these wonderful animals back to the wild when possible.

If you are looking to volunteer with monkeys or volunteer with sloths and a range of birds and other mammals; this project is for you! Volunteers assist with animal rehabilitation and care at this unique project in Peru's amazon rainforest!

Venture to the Amazon Jungle and join us at this adventurous & important wildlife sanctuary!

Summary

The Project: This one-of-a-kind project is a lifeline for abused and endangered animals in the Southern Peruvian Amazon rainforest. Many of the animals at the centre are rescued from the illegal trafficking and pet trade or abusive homes; the animals often arrive injured or stressed. Animals are also brought in sick or dying by local people because of hunting accidents.

Project Location: The Peru Wildlife Sanctuary is in the southern Peruvian Amazon near the city of Puerto Maldonado; less than 1 hour by plane or 10 hours by bus from Cusco.

Main Volunteer Activities: Caring for rescued animals, preparing their food and feeding the animals. Maintaining the upkeep of the sanctuary; including repairing enclosures, cutting leaves & trees and improving enclosure enrichment for the animals.

Hours: Volunteers work for 6 to 7 hours per day, 6 days per week.

Duration: Volunteer placements are year-round and for 1 to 12 weeks.

Accommodation: Shared rooms in simple rustic accommdoation blocks in a clearing in the jungle.

Volunteer Requirements: The minimum age for this project is 18 unless accompanied by an adult & a passion for animal welfare.

Volunteer Placement Fee: From UK£435 / US$565

Project History
The project was set up to combat the effects of the illegal and uncontrolled extraction of animals from the Amazon. Animal trafficking is deeply affecting the biodiversity of the rainforest to the point that some species are now endangered. Buying and selling endangered and protected wildlife is the third biggest illegal trade in the world after arms and drugs; moving over US$20 million worth of wild species per year.
Wildlife at the centre are generally rescued from the illegal trafficking and pet trade or abusive homes, and often arrive injured or stressed. Animals are also brought in sick or dying by local people because of hunting accidents.
The project has a range of animals including howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys and various other rainforest monkeys. The sanctuary also cares for several types of birds and other mammals; as well as sloths from time to time.
Volunteer at the Peru Wildlife Sanctuary and contribute to important wildlife rehabilitation and care!
The project location

The sanctuary is on 10 hectares of land, approximately 11 kilometres outside of the city of Puerto Maldonado. The sanctuary is surrounded by nature; but also still close enough to the city where you can find internet cafes, restaurants and other stores. If you need to go into town for any reason a taxi ride is roughly 35 Soles (about US$10.50 or £8.25) each way.

Why the project need volunteers

The Amazon rainforest, which is the biggest and most diverse rainforest in the world, covers more than half of Peru. It is home to thousands of unique and endangered animals, plants and ecosystems; some of which are only found locally.

Without a sustainable rescue centre, there would be nowhere in the area for rescued animals to be taken for rehabilitation; and where feasible, release back into the wild. Volunteers play a vital role in helping the day to day running of the sanctuary. As well as supporting the physical and psychological wellbeing of the animals being rehabilitated at the shelter.

Volunteers assist local qualified staff with the care of the animals and maintenance of the wildlife rescue centre. Volunteers contribute to the protection of endangered animals and preserving the unique biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest.

Typical Volunteer Duties
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Volunteers at the project work approximately 6-8 hours a day, 6 days a week. Volunteers assist project staff with a wide variety of duties including food preparation and feeding the rescued wildlife. Additionally volunteers help to exercise the animals and with construction, repair and cleaning of animal enclosures.

The different tasks at the project are regularly rotated. Volunteers therefore get to help out with a broad range of tasks. The work can be hard in the tropical climate, but is also very rewarding. Daily activities include:
 
• Assisting with the preparation of food for the rescued animals
• Assisting in feeding rounds in the mornings and evenings
• Working on the construction and repair of animal enclosures
• Assisting with the cleaning and furnishing of animal enclosures
• Helping to exercise the animals.
Typical Volunteer Day

An example of a typical working day is:

  • 7:30 – Breakfast. After breakfast, wash and prepare breakfast for animals and deliver dishes to enclosures. Rinse water dishes in the enclosure and fill with fresh water. Collect the food dishes and wash them at the washing station next to the house. Collect leaves for the monkeys and food for other animals.
  • 12 – Lunch. After lunch, wash and prepare last meal for the animals and deliver it. Do special projects, such as building enclosures.
  • 6:30 – Dinner.

Please be aware that this is a dynamic project and this is just an example of a typical day. Volunteer duties may change during your placement.

The work can be hard in the tropical climate, but the project staff are warm, welcoming and enthusiastic and will make sure you feel part of the team. They are sensitive to the capabilities of each volunteer. Of course the more you put in, the more you will get out of this unique and rewarding experience.

No matter what you are capable of you can be sure that you will have made a contribution to protecting and conserving the animals of the Amazon rainforest.

Volunteer Accommodation
The sanctuary is located in the Amazon rainforest; the volunteer accommodation is therefore in keeping with this unique environment. The accommodation is simple, but comfortable with shared rooms for 2-3 people each and shared bathrooms on site. Despite being close to the town of Puerto Maldonado, the project is in a very rural area. The accommodation is comfortable, clean and well ventilated with screens and mosquito nets.
Volunteers share comfortable rooms at the project which sleep 2-3 people each. Although there is no hot water, there are cold showers; which can be very refreshing as the temperature in Puerto Maldonado is approximately 30 degrees Celsius for most of the year.

All our volunteers receive three nutritious meals per day - breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meals are prepared and served by local staff in the lovely airy communal area. Please inform us if you have any allergies or food restrictions.

Depending on availability at the Wildlife Sanctuary Project, you may also stay at a nearby guest house.

There is no internet at the project but there is a mobile signal which will allow you to go online should you need to. There are plenty of internet cafes in nearby Puerto Maldonado if you go into town. Electricity is available at the project.

Free Time

Whether you plan your entire trip in advance or decide to wait until you get to Peru our well-travelled team can offer advice and help in planning the perfect itinerary; for your weekends or for travel before or after your placement. Staff at the project can give you lots of tips for where to visit locally. Here are just a few of the rest of Peru’s treasures to whet your appetite.

Cusco

Cusco is a beautiful city that has something to offer everyone! From Inca ruins and splendid Spanish colonial architecture to elegant squares and outstanding mountain scenery. The historic city centre is a lively hub of cafes, restaurants and bars; with dozens of boutiques, markets and shops offering an astonishing range of unique locally made goods. There are museums, galleries, churches and monasteries to visit. Every Sunday sees a magnificent civil parade in the City’s stunning main square, the Plaza de Armas.

Cusco’s Indian and Catholic traditions are frequently celebrated with street parades, live music and food stalls; springing up across the city at any excuse. There are also some wonderful walks and hikes in and around the city centre. You can stroll amongst whitewashed houses and along the cobbled lanes in the Bohemian quarter of San Blas. Climb high above the city to the Inca fortress at Sacsayhuaman and take in the unrivalled views of the city and the surrounding Andes.

The Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a must-see on anyone’s Peru itinerary. Barely half an hour’s drive from Cusco, where you will find a magical, steep-sided valley. Fresh mountain rivers and streams tumble between ancient mountains and majestic glaciers.

The Sacred Valley’s centuries-old towns and villages are home to remarkably reserved Inca forts and citadels; markets with traditional textiles and souvenirs draw visitors to lovely towns like Pisac, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo. The amazing salt terraces and pre-Inca agricultural terraces at Maras are also an easy day trip from Cusco.  

Machu Picchu

Surely the number one reason that many visitors come to Peru is to visit the wonder of Machu Picchu. Whatever you read and no matter how many photos you have seen, nothing can quite prepare you for the first time you see the Inca citadel rising high above a bend in the river.

Machu Picchu is easily accessible from Cusco. You can go there by luxury train, trek the amazing Inca Trail high in the Andes or other alternative treks; all ending with lost city itself. Built, but never completed by the Incas around 1450 the Inca capital was only re-discovered in 1911. The breath-taking lost city of the Incas is now discovered by hundreds of charmed visitors daily.

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, is around 6-8 hours from Cusco. Perfect for long weekends or those travelling before or after their volunteer placement. Here you can take a cruise on the lake or visit the famous floating Uros Islands. Do a spot of star gazing in one of the least light-polluted skies on the planet.

Lima

You are almost certain to travel through Lima on your way to Puerto Maldonado. Peru’s capital is worth a stop before or after your volunteer placement. There is excellent shopping in the ocean-side district of Miraflores. Wonderful galleries and museums in trendy Barranco. Some truly impressive Spanish colonial buildings in the historic centre and amazing restaurants throughout the city.

Arequipa

The city of Arequipa is Peru’s second largest city. It is known as the white city due to the colour of the historic buildings constructed using local white stone called sillar. Arequipa is located in the Andes mountains bit at a lower altitude so enjoys almost year-round warm, sunny weather. The city is overlooked by the magnificent dormant volcano El Misti.

Arequipa is also the staging post for trips to the Famous Colca Canyon.

Globalteer has negotiated generous discounts for our volunteers with a well-respected agency in Cusco. They can arrange trips such as Machu Picchu, Amazon tours, Lake Titicaca; as well as many other amazing trips in Peru and South America.

What’s Included:

Included in your volunteering package are all accommodation on site at the sanctuary. All main meals and free airport collection and transfer to the sanctuary are also included.

        √  Free airport pick up from Puerto Maldonado.
        √  Transfer to the project.
        √  Accommodation for the duration of your stay.
        √  Three meals a day at the project.
        √  Peru orientation guide and induction on arrival.
        √  In-country support from local staff.
        √  All necessary project equipment and materials.
        √  All project training by experienced staff.
        √  Project donation.

Peru Wildlife Fees Questions

Families are welcome at this project, accompanied children can attend for one week. The fees are as follows: Accompanied children under 18 years old received a discount of GBP£100 / US$130 off the one week published fee.
Financial Transparency

As a UK registered Charity, Globalteer is required to be financially transparent to our donors. You can therefore see a full breakdown of where your money goes and our independently audited accounts by clicking below:

Where Your Money Goes

To discover why you should consider choosing Globalteer, please visit the following page:

About Globalteer

Why do we charge a fee for volunteering?

Globalteer requests a donation from volunteers to allow us to achieve our charitable objectives and support our partner programmes. In return, Globalteer provides volunteers with an amazing, responsible and ethical volunteer experience. Ensuring that your placement is responsible as well as rewarding, safe and enjoyable takes a good deal of work.

A summary of Globalteer’s total expenditure for the last financial year is shown below:

Donations and Grants 60% – This includes a share of volunteer placement fees, grants we have secured for our projects and donations managed by Globalteer that are made by individuals and groups to our projects and partner projects.

Support Costs 29% – This includes volunteer accommodation, volunteer transport, support staff costs, travel costs and some volunteer meals.

Operational Costs 11% – Costs of running Globalteer.

What’s not included
  • Flights
  • Medical and travel insurance
  • Onward transport at the end of your placement
What do everyday items cost?

The official currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol, and there are approximately 4.20 Soles to the pound and 3.20 Soles to the US dollar. The cost of living in Peru is low compared to most countries in the developed world. The costs of some typical items are:

  • Bus ride up to half an hour - 1 Sol
  • Taxi journey up to 10 minutes - 4 Soles
  • Meal in a market - 4 to 5 Soles
  • Bottle of soft drink - 1.5 Soles
  • Coffee - 3 to 5 Soles
  • Meal in a restaurant - 6 Soles to 40 Soles

Quick Summary of the Peru Wildlife Sanctuary

This one-of-a-kind project is a lifeline for abused and endangered animals in the Southern Peruvian Amazon rainforest.

Many of the animals at the centre are rescued from the illegal trafficking and pet trade or abusive homes; the animals often arrive injured or stressed. Animals are also brought in sick or dying by local people because of hunting accidents.

The Peru Wildlife Sanctuary is in the southern Peruvian Amazon near the city of Puerto Maldonado; less than 1 hour by plane or 10 hours by bus from Cusco.

Caring for rescued animals, preparing their food and feeding the animals. Maintaining the upkeep of the sanctuary; including repairing enclosures, cutting leaves & trees and improving enclosure enrichment for the animals.

Volunteers work for 6 to 7 hours per day, 6 days per week.

Volunteer placements are year-round and for 1 to 12 weeks.

The accommodation is simple, but comfortable with shared rooms for 2-3 people each and shared bathrooms on site.

The accommodation is comfortable, clean and well ventilated with screens and mosquito nets.

The minimum age for this project is 18 unless accompanied by an adult & a passion for animal welfare as well as have fluent English or Spanish.

What’s Included:

√ Free airport pick up from Puerto Maldonado. √ Transfer to the project. √ Accommodation for the duration of your stay. √ Three meals a day at the project. √ Peru orientation guide and induction on arrival. √ In-country support from local staff. √ All necessary project equipment and materials. √ All project training by experienced staff. √ Project donation.

We have a list of answers to questions frequently asked about the project.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can come to the project and help!

To apply click here: Apply now

You can also donate to support Wildlife Projects! Donate Now!

Real Reviews of Globalteer on Volunteer's Social Media
“My favourite thing about volunteering at the Peru Wildfife Sanctuary was EVERYTHING!" Julia, UK

Volunteer rated at
5 out of 5 stars (5 / 5)

Peru Wildlife Sanctuary Photo Gallery

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