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 £487 / US$585
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 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
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.
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
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
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:
To discover why you should consider choosing Globalteer, please visit the following page:
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.
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.
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 QuestionsYou can come to the project and help!
To apply click here: Apply nowYou can also donate to support Wildlife Projects! Donate Now!
Real Reviews of Globalteer on Volunteer's Social Media
Had a great time and was happy to support such a worthwhile project. Having done lots of research on volunteer projects, I decided... read more that this program was the best for me. Globalteer was different to the other organisations, they are a registered charity so I felt straight away that I had some trust in them. They did not disappoint, I had a great time and was happy to support such a worthwhile project. read less
Diego Alonso11/13/2017The staff working there are dedicated but also good fun. What an amazing experience! We spent a week with this... read more incredible sanctuary in August 2018. The passion for the animals in the care of this rescue sanctuary is genuine and heartfelt. The staff working there dedicated but also good fun. Loved the interactions with the monkeys, deer, and birds and building the monkey house for the howlers, I hope they enjoy it for many years to come. I strongly recommend anyone who is visiting Peru and wants to genuinely help wild animals to be returned back to their natural habitat to spend time here. read less
Hercules Moriarty9/22/2018Anyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend Globalteer!!!! I had the pleasure of volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor... read more House. From the Moment I arrived I was collected by staff and shown around Cusco. I also got to enjoy the weekly quiz nights with staff from globalteer. The staff went out of there way to make me feel welcome. I had an amazing time at picaflor house. The children were beautiful. Anyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend globalteer!!!! read less
Katrina Baxter7/04/2017All the Globalteer staff I have worked with have become friends and I value their support and encouragement. I have volunteered with the Globalteer Cambodia Community Project in... read more 2014 and twice in 2017 and will be returning this year, 2018. It is my home away from home. All the GT staff I've worked with in that time have become friends and I value their support and encouragement. The project itself is amazing and I highly recommend it to anybody who loves kids, is keen to be involved in a sustainable education project and who wants to see and learn about Cambodia village life. The work that Globalteer does will go on to benefit Cambodia and Cambodians for many years to come. read less
Sally Bateman1/17/2018The most eye-opening and inspiring experiences I have had. My time spent volunteering in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with Globalteer... read more was one of the most eye-opening and inspiring experiences I've had. Volunteering in local schools allowed me to see parts of the area that I wouldn't have been able to as a tourist, and coaching sports to the school children offered me a chance to interact with locals and engage in their culture. Communication with Globalteer leading up to and during my trip was easy and constant. All the staff and volunteers I worked with were very friendly and supportive, always eager to help me out with any issues or concerns I had. Free time during the evenings and weekends allowed me to explore and enjoy what Siem Reap has to offer. I would definitely recommend Globalteer to anyone wishing to immerse themselves in a new culture, step out their comfort zone and make a difference to the local area! read less
Colin Elkington1/14/2018I think it speaks volumes for the quality and impact of the experience, that I returned for a second trip! I first volunteered at Picaflor House Children's Community Project in... read more Peru in 2014, as a solo traveller, staying in Cusco for two months. I think it speaks volumes for the quality and impact of the experience, that I returned for a second trip at the end of last year - this time for just two weeks, but with my husband, as part of a wider trip through South America. Two very different visits, but both equally rewarding and life-changing. During my first trip, I met with a wide variety of lovely volunteers from all over the world, some of whom I am still in touch with today. In contrast, on our recent trip, we were the only volunteers. However, this allowed us to sample a broad range of experience at the project, and the opportunity to take more responsibility - we got to run two days worth of Art lessons which was great fun, and a real eye-opener, especially for my husband, who had no previous classroom experience. The volunteering at Picaflor is very flexible - our individual skills were used to their best advantage. I focussed on the English classes, using my language and communication training to the full, and my husband worked in the Nursery class, supporting the children to develop their social and practical skills (and honing his fledgling Spanish). In addition, on my first much longer trip, I was able to take the odd day off, enabling me to take in the local art and culture by visiting places of interest further afield. Picaflor House is a really valuable resource for Oropesa. It provides occupation and fun for the children in the afternoon after their school day finishes, allowing parents to work full days, and provides extra academic support, especially with English - particularly important as it enables the children to get better jobs when they leave school. The children at Picaflor are extremely lively (expect more noise, and less formal seated activity than in your average British school), but on both trips we particularly enjoyed the sporting days (as did the children!) on Fridays when everybody came together to play volleyball, football, and to skip, play on the swings and slide, and to dig in the sandpit - Chris enjoyed a particularly muscle-building day breaking up and raking the sand for the children, and I enjoyed a spot of gardening - as I said the experience was very varied! The regular, permanent staff at Picaflor are particularly supportive. We were prepared well in advance - I particularly needed this reassurance on my first trip alone, and even though on my second trip, I knew where everything was, we were confident that we could still
