Costa Rica Animal Rescue Project

Set between tropical Caribbean and Pacific coasts, Costa Rica is one of the most breathtaking countries in the world. Even though it covers just 0.03% of the world’s landmass, it is home to an incredible 500,000 species including jaguars, spider monkeys and five species of turtle.

Join this incredible project to discover a world of fragile beauty and help safeguard Costa Rica's precious wildlife and unique habitats for future generations. The rescue centres are set up to provide a sanctuary for animals that have little or no hope of ever being returned to their natural forest habitat because of the appalling levels of mistreatment to which they have been exposed by humans. Often the animals have been starved and subjected to high levels of stress – once at the centres they are given superb care and attention in an effort to rebuild their fragile lives.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• Make wonderful memories of a genuinely unique experience
• Explore the critical ecosystems of Costa Rica
• Work directly with a range of endangered species

Location	Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica
Activities	Preparing food & feeding the animals Cleaning & maintaining enclosures Environmental education work
Transport	Airport pick-up upon arrival
Accommodation	Volunteer house / Shared dormitories

 

Before you go	Pre-departure support Travel & medical advice & documentation Equipment advice Discounted medical kit Free Frontier t-shirt
In-country	Accommodation Food Airport pick-up Local orientation and training In-country emergency support 24-hour international HQ backup

What Next? Apply Now!

WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?

Human encroachment and activities, both legal and illegal, have resulted in the steady decline of many of Costa Rica's most defining species. Animals which have been recovered from poachers need to be cared for before being reintroduced to the wild, if they even can be. Volunteering at an animal rescue centre could be your opportunity to contribute to the care and possible rehabilitation of any number of species, while getting up close and personal in the process.

The Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center and Sanctuary is a privately owned wildlife rescue facility focusing on the care, rehabilitation and study of Costa Rican wildlife. We work directly with the government receiving confiscated, sick and injured wild animals. All the animals that come to our rescue center receive all the medical attention and love needed. We are able to release many back into the wild however those who can't, stay in the center. These animals accomplish a mission in life, they help us in our education programmes so that everyone can learn to respect nature. Although we work with the government we do not receive governmental support, we rely on our membership programme, private donations and international volunteers for their contribution to this amazing project. 

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

Working alongside local staff, volunteers help look after the animals and educate visitors. At the centre volunteers may have the opportunity to work hands on with monkeys, sloth, raccoons and other wildlife..

You will be involved in every aspect of the day to day running of the centre, including feeding the animals and preparing the food, cleaning the enclosures, building and repairing the enclosures and feeding platforms. Your experience here will enrich your knowledge and your expertise on wild animal care.

At the rescue center everyone is expected to pull their own weight and work together as a team and take responsibility for the daily duties looking after the animals. The animals do not work on our schedule, rather they follow their own internal clock which insists that they eat early in the day. The time for your rest and relaxation is later in the day when high temperatures usually demand it.

A typical day at the rescue center could consist of the following:

 

7:00 Get up, feed the animals, clean cages 

8:30 Breakfast 

9:30-11:00 Chores around the center 

11:00 Pick up food bowls, clean cages 

12:00-14:30 Lunch & siesta 

15:00-16:00 Feed the animals, clean cages 

16:00-18:00 Individual projects, swimming, hiking, construction... 

18:00-21:00 Dinner & socializing 

21:00 Bedtime

What Next? Apply Now!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?

You will be greeted upon arrival at the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose on the Sunday by a friendly local staff member and taken to the project site. Please be aware that you will be responsible for organising your own transport from the project site back to San Jose airport at the end of your project. This is pretty straightforward and your volunteer coordinator will be more than happy to help you make those arrangements.

WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?

Throughout your stay on the project you will be living in shared dormitory style accommodation at the biological centre, with volunteer common room and communal kitchen. You will be provided with a mosquito net, bed sheets and a laundry service once a week. Although basic, your accommodation will of course be clean and comfortable and you will soon feel at home with your welcoming hosts.

WHAT WILL I BE EATING?

While you are on the project, all meals are included in the programme (breakfast, lunch and dinner).  These will be based upon a typical Costa Rican diet.  Your food will be fairly basic and consist mainly of rice, beans, corn, meat, pasta, vegetables and seasonal fruits, as well as plenty of gallo pinto.

What Next? Apply Now!

Beautiful country!  | 18 May 2013
I had an amazing time on the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Project, I'll always look back on the p...

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A pleasure to stay at the wildlife centre  | 16 May 2012
  This spring 2012 I had the pleasure to stay at the wildlife centre - the most beautifu...

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A good insight  | 11 Feb 2012
Having narrowed down my choice of conservation projects I settled on volunteering at a rescue pro...

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Working with animals  | 28 Nov 2009
Frontier were really great in helping me decide where to go for my trip because I knew I wanted t...

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1 to 4

A howl’ of a time in Costa Rica!  | 5 May 2011
Costa Rica is a country rich in both sights and sounds, with panoramic landscapes and diverse wildlife ranging from nesting marine turtles, puma’s and toucans.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

You will have one day off per week, which can be arranged with the centre's administration. There are many interesting sights and activities in the surrounding area including the Arenal volcano, tropical rainforest canopy tours, horse treks and hot springs!  It is also possible to use the telephone (international phone card) and the internet during your day off, or alternatively go to Arenal to use the facilities there.