Animal Rescue Program welcomes volunteers to come and be the caretakers of beautiful native animals who have been victims of animal trafficking or mistreatment. Volunteers will be responsible for helping to foster their transition back to the wildlife while living in two beautiful regions of Ecuador- the Amazon Rainforest and the Andes. info@lead-adventures.com Office Phone: + (593-2) 250-1332 Fax: + (593-2) 250-1332 (ext. 104) Mobile: + (593-9) 249-1575 Skype: lead.adventures Mariscal Foch E8-42 Planta Alta y Av 6 de Diciembre Quito Ecuador
Trip Highlights Observing and interacting with native Ecuadorian animals Learning about the animals, their habitats, and daily needs Improve animals rehabilitation Preparing and feeding the animals on site Free weekends ( after Saturday afternoon for Amazonian center) for independent exploration and activities Project Overview The Amazon and Andes Animal Rescue Centers (Private Reserve) are a non-profit organizations founded by an animal caring families who constantly strives for the protection of wildlife and the prevention of the illegal trafficking of Ecuadorian flora and fauna. The centers perform the function of rescuing animals that are found in appalling conditions, badly treated by their owners, without adequate food or water, living in inhumane conditions. When animals are brought to the centers, our work begins providing them enclosures similar to their natural environment, with enrichment tools to enable them to harness their natural behaviors and to live in conditions as close as possible to those in the wild. However, it is impossible to totally imitate the true wilderness of the rainforest or andes region, so the centers objectives are to create an intermediary home before releasing the animals back into their natural environment. For volunteers this is a unique opportunity to work with and help a large number of wild animals while living in a spectacularly beautiful area in the Amazon rainforest and Andes of Ecuador. The volunteers are responsible for the daily caretaking of the animals that are at the center. This involves activities such as feeding the animals, cleaning the enclosures, maintaining the centers and more!
The Amazon Rescue Center: The center was founded in 2006 and is a family-run center with experienced and knowledgeable staff in the areas of veterinary, biology, and agriculture. The center receives animals from the Ecuadorian Environmental Ministry. The animals the Ministry receives have been confiscated from illegal trafficking, or donated from their owners who had kept them as pets. These animals are firstly evaluated by our dedicated and experienced staff to see if they can ever be released back into the wild, but if not, they are given the best conditions to live in, as similar to their natural habitat as possible. The centre hosts solely Amazonian wildlife, having a variety of animals including eight species of primates, two species of cats, three species of rodents and a diversity of birds and reptiles and other small mammals. It also has 4 hectares of secondary rainforest (behind the lagoon), where some wild species of monkeys, mammals and birds naturally live. This area is a protected release and research area. The foundation also has another reserve area with 40 hectares of primary forest on the way to Tena, which is currently only a research area. However, in the future we are hoping to use it as a release site for the animals that are able to be rehabilitated and released. Andes Animal Rescue center: Over 900 animals have lived at the center since its founding in January, 2005. Most animals are brought to the center after they are found being traded illegally, and most have been released back into the jungle. Several dozen species live in in the center at any given time. Permanent residents include 2 lions, 3 Galapagos tortoises, a variety of monkeys, lory parrots, and several sloths. The mission of the rescue center is not only to rehabilitate and release the animals, but also to educate people about the importance of conservation and not having wild animals as pets. Schools will often attend the center and receive presentations about the importance of saving endangered species. WHAT IS INCLUDED: Dormitory style accommodation at the Andean Center Cabin style accommodation within the Amazonian Center Meals at the center as outlined below A detailed orientation from Lead Adventures in Quito Airport pickup and drop off upon arrival and departure 24 hour Emergency telephone number Full support prior to departure from your personal travel advisor Detailed information pack prior to departure WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED All international flights Return transportation from the project to Quito Return taxi from Quito s Bus Terminal to hostel in Quito (when returning to Quito from the project) Any extra activities and excursions DESTINATION INFORMATION
The Amazon center is situated three kilometres from the town of Puyo, just off the road that leads to Tena. Puyo is the capital of the province of Pastaza and has an altitude of approximately 900m. The Puyo River is a tributary of the Pastaza River, which eventually leads into the Amazon River. It is relatively easy to find the center. It takes between four and a half to five hours to travel from Quito to Puyo and the fare is $5.50 There are other Amazonian and Andean cities not too far away that have much to offer. Baños is 1 hour away on bus, Tena is 2 hours, and Macas is 3 hours away. Along with Puyo, these towns offer much in the way of tourism and adventure sports. The city of Ibarra, where the Andes center is located, is the capital of the province of Imbabura. A colonial town with cobbled streets, located 115 Km north from Quito, at 2210 m. Many tourists prefer this city for its pleasant weather and peaceful environment. The city has two plazas very well preserved: Parque Pedro Moncayo and the Parque Victor Manuel Peñaherrera (Flores and Olmedo), better known as Parque de la Merced. This clean, freshly painted colonial city is also known as the white city. Eat the delicious paila ice creams (whipped natural fruit) while walking around this city. ITINERARY Volunteers will be working at the centers helping with a variety of tasks. The most important part of the day is taking care of the animals, preparing their food, feeding them, and cleaning their cages. Projects are varied but they usually involve lots of physical work and can include maintenance and building of new habitats. Andes Animal rescue center: Once you land in Quito, you will be met at the airport by our driver of one of our transfers company, and taken to your hostel in Quito. On Monday morning a member of the Lead Adventures staff will meet you at your hostel and accompany you to our office where you will receive a comprehensive orientation about Ecuador and the program itself. We will arrange for a taxi transfer to bring you to the bus terminal. At the bus station in Quito our transfer company will also assist you with the purchase of the bus ticket and will make sure you get on the correct bus which will take you to Ibarra (2.5 hour bus trip). The Project Coordinator will meet volunteers in the Ibarra bus station and take them to the center to meet the staff and enjoy lunch. After lunch volunteers get to know the facilities and get an introduction about their volunteer work at the project. The Rescue Center is located 15 minutes away from the owner s residence. Every morning the volunteers living at the residence will be driven by the owner to the center, and in the afternoons when the day is over, go back from the center to return to the residence. Cotopaxi Volcano One Day Tour: Once you finish the program in the Andes center, you will have to come back to Quito, and be ready for our tour in one of the tallest active volcano around the world, the Cotopaxi. Cotopaxi National Park tour is an exiting day that begins with spectacular views of the Andean landscape in the Volcanoes Avenue. Once inside the National Park you
will visit Mariscal Sucre Museum, next stop will be the parking lot (4600 m /150952 ft.) where you will start hiking up to the refuge that is located at 4800m / 15748 ft, time to rest will be good to refill your energy. Once done with the first part of the hiking you will continue a little more till you reach for the glaciers, a total altitude of 5000m / 16404 ft. On your way back you are going to stop again at the refuge to have a deserved lunch. One the way back you will stop at Limpiopungo lagoon to see landscape and take some pictures. The Amazon Rescue Center: After the tour in Cotopaxi, you will come back to Quito, where you spend the night in our hostel. The next day, you will have the same services as the Andes center one, and will be traveling to the rainforest for the Amazon center. The Amazon center welcomes volunteers to help with the center s day to day activities, work on existing projects of enclosure enrichment, botanical studies in our forest, or building new islands as fenceless sanctuaries for the animals, just to name a few. Volunteers work in teams. Volunteers require no previous experience with animals, though it is a perfect place to practice and learn for budding zoologists, vets and animal career oriented people. Also, there may be the option for them to work with the on-site veterinarian. Volunteers need to love the natural world, have the motivation to help and to learn, a willingness to be placed in projects, and a friendly personality. Regular duties include daily cleaning of all the enclosures and exterior areas where the animals live, and the preparation and distribution of the food to all of the animals sheltered at the center. In particular seasons, volunteers regularly go on walks to collect wild fruits and leaves to include in the animals diets. Activities vary each week depending on the needs of the animals and the center at that time. All volunteers have to participate in the wide variety of projects planned for the center ranging from building bigger and better enclosures for the animals (a continuous all year round task), improving access paths to enclosures, and continuous animal observation. When your time at the center is complete, you can catch a bus or taxi into town. At the bus station, you will buy your return ticket (about $5). From the bus station in Quito, you will take a taxi back to your hostel (about $10). We will provide you with the address and hostel name in Quito, which you can give to the taxi driver. You will have one night in the hostel in Quito and the following day we will arrange for a transfer to pick you up from your hostel and bring you to the airport.
TYPICAL DAY IN THE CENTERS Amazon HOURS ACTIVITIES 7:30-8:00 Breakfast 8:00-12:00 Work 12:00-14:30 Break (13:00 Lunch) 14:30-17:00 Work 17:00- Free time Andes HOURS ACTIVITIES 8:00AM-8:30AM 8:20AM-8:30AM 8:30AM-12:00PM 12:00PM-2:00PM 2:00PM-6:00PM 7:30-8:30PM Breakfast with volunteers Morning meeting Morning work Lunch, time to rest and relax Afternoon work Dinner 8:30PM- on Free time to enjoy the surroundings *This is just an exemplary daily itinerary. All activities scheduled above are subject to change. ACCOMODATIONS Andes Animal rescue center: There are two accommodation possibilities and you will be placed in one of the two depending on availability. The first is staying at the home of the rescue center's owners in town. The residence has a volunteer room that sleeps three people. The home has hot water and a washing machine that you may use. The home is about 15 minutes away from the rescue center but since you would be living with the owners, you will go to and from the center with them. The care and cleaning of the bedroom is the volunteer's responsibility. The other option is to stay at the center. There is one bedroom that sleeps two comfortably and a private bathroom for the two volunteers to share. There is a TV at the center that can be shared with another family who also lives at the center.
Amazon Center: Volunteers stay in cabañas for 4 people. The cabañas are in the heart of the center enabling you to watch the animals from hammocks on the deck, and in the mornings wake up to the beautiful sound of macaws, parrots, monkeys and other animals of the center. The bathrooms are located outside of the cabañas with cool running water and the cabañas are basic but have necessities such as electricity. There is a communal kitchen and dining area for the use of volunteers and staff. The kitchen area is large and is well equipped with all necessary appliances and utensils. In the dining area, volunteers and staff eat together during breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is also an area where meetings are held, presentations are given, games are played, social events take place, and just a good place to hang out and share experiences and traveling tales with fellow volunteers. MEALS Andes Animal rescue center: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included throughout the duration of your volunteer experience. Amazon Centre: With the exception of dinner on Wednesday, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included Monday through Friday. Breakfast on Saturday morning is included as well. On Wednesday evenings, the group goes to Puyo for dinner and goes out afterwards to enjoy Puyo s nightlife. This is an optional activity where you pay for your own dinner but if you elect not to go out for dinner, you have access to the kitchen to prepare your own dinner Wednesday night. Additionally, you may purchase personal food items and store them in the center s kitchen. As part of the revolving tasks during the week, volunteers take turns to help cook meals, wash up, clean, etc. Breakfast: Monday- Saturday Lunch: Monday- Friday Dinner: Monday- Friday (except for Wednesday) FAQs 1. How many volunteers can the project employ monthly? We prefer to manage smaller groups, maximum of 14 volunteers in the Amazon, and 5 volunteers in the Andes, at a time. 2. Has the organization received volunteers in the past? Yes, the centers have received volunteers since opening in 2006. 4. Are there any requirements to attend this program?
Volunteers are required to have a basic level of fitness, as most of the work consists of carrying heavy loads (even during distribution of food and water for the animals), using tools like shovels and machetes and walking up and down the jungle surroundings. The minimum age requirement is 18 years of age, unless accompanied by a parent or a tutor. 5. Does the project receive volunteers all year round? Yes. The project does not close for holidays. 6. Is there a minimum and a maximum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project? Two week minimum. Additional Optional Activities At an additional cost and in your free time explore the various activities that the Amazon has to offer: Just an hour bus ride away, Baños is located on the northern foothills of the Tungurahua volcano. It is named after the hydrothermal springs of mineral water located around the city. Baños is full of thrilling outdoor activities. Don t miss the chance to go canyoning, zip lining, paragliding, ride a horse in the hills around the town, trek the surrounding trails and the volcano, see the Manto de la Virgen waterfall, mountain bike the breathtaking scenic road to Puyo, or raft on one of the nearby rivers. Take a jungle tour to the deeper areas of the Amazon rainforest. There are many tour operators in Baños and some in Puyo than can help you with this. Visit the National Park Yasuni. The park is primarily a rainforest that lies on 9,820 square kilometres between the Napo and Curaray rivers in Napo and Pastaza provinces in Amazonian Ecuador, around 250 km from Quito. The park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1989.
HELPFUL INFORMATION Currency The currency of Ecuador is the United States dollar, accepted as the national currency of Ecuador in January 2000. The money that is circulated includes notes and coins. Notes are of the denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 while the coins are in denominations of US$1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent. Please note that most shops and restaurants will not accept bills over $20, so it is worth having small currency denominations on you. ATMs are also available in almost all parts of the country. Credit cards, mainly Visa and MasterCard, are also accepted in Ecuador. Additionally, you may use traveler's checks; in Quito there are traveler check exchange bureaus that are easily accessible. Passport and Visa Requirements All tourists need a valid passport and an entry form-tourist card which is provided by your air carrier. This will be available at either the ticket counter when checking in for your flight to Ecuador or once on-board. Citizens of Canada, UK and USA do not need to obtain a visa for stays up to 90 days. If you are of a different nationality, please check with Lead Adventures Staff and your local Ecuadorian Embassy. For stays longer than 90 days, you must obtain a 6-month Tourist visa (12-IX) at your local Ecuadorian Embassy. Lead Adventures will provide you with more information about visas and immigration if needed. Health and Vaccinations
When traveling abroad it is important to seek advice on the potential hazards, understand how best to protect your health, and minimize the risk of harm and disease. Planning ahead and taking preventive measures will reduce the risk of accident and of acquiring disease. We are not qualified to assess individuals health, therefore we highly recommend that you seek the attention of a medical professional regarding specific vaccinations and medications. You can visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ for additional helpful information. Lead Adventure Support Ensuring our volunteer s safety is of the utmost importance. Prior to your departure, our program coordinators will work with you to plan and prepare for your trip with us. Upon your arrival to Quito, you will receive a detailed orientation and last minute questions will be addressed. Additionally, you will be given a 24 hour emergency contact number for our on-call Ecuadorian based coordinators. Weather Ecuador s climate varies with its regions. This area has an altitude of 900 meters above sea level and because of this, the temperature is very comfortable, and not too hot. The temperature generally ranges between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius. The rainiest months of the year are February and March. The rain does not cause too much of a problem, as it is quite warm and is often a welcome respite from the blazing sun. Ecuador and Galapagos Time Zone Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -5 hours Electrical Standards Ecuador's electrical current is 120/60 (volts/hz) Type A and Type B Electrical Outlet (same as North America) Kit List What to pack Please note that this kit list is intended to help you plan what you may need to take with you and therefore you may not need all of the listed items on your travels. In addition, it is worth noting that you can buy lots of the above in Ecuador and at a very cheap price and there will be opportunities for you to shop in local markets and towns. Personal Admin
Passport, insurance certificates and personal documentation Photocopies of all the above to be left at home with your next of kin Spending money Guidebook on country recommended Lonely Planet or Footprints General Camera / Film / Batteries/Battery Charger Sunglasses Pocket-knife (comes in handy for general use) Water bottle Day pack/rucksack for everyday use Personal hygiene items (deodorant, soap, shampoo, toothbrush etc) Spanish dictionary, verb book etc Clothing Long sleeved clothing for cool nights Hat Comfortable walking shoes A pair of thick socks for walking Sandals Waterproof Jacket (Being in the rainforest volunteers should expect it to rain everyday) Long trousers Swimwear -Rubber boots (some spare boots are available at the center though you are not guaranteed a pair) Towel Medical Kit Personal Hygiene Kit (ex. Antihistamines, Anti- diarrhea tablets, headache tablets) Personal Toiletries Sunscreen Mosquito nets (optional) Insect repellent Good flashlight or headlamp (with spare batteries) Contact Details If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us! info@lead-adventures.com Office Phone: + (593-2) 250-1332 Fax: + (593-2) 250-1332 (ext. 104) Mobile: + (593-9) 249-1575 Skype: lead.adventures Mariscal Foch E8-42 Planta Alta y Av 6 de Diciembre Quito, Ecuador
For more information: http://www.lead-adventures.com/ http://www.lead-adventures.com/programs/amazon-animal-welfare-rescue