Wildlife Sanctuary
Would you like to work in a wildlife Sanctuary? And do you have a passion for wild animals and exotic nature?- Age requirement: 18+ years
- Dates: This project runs year around.
- Working Schedule: 5 days a week for 7 hours a day
- Language requirement: You do not have to speak Spanish because the project supervisor, volunteers and other staff members speak and understand English
- Costs: A one week experience starts from $599, for each additional week add on another $299.
- Duration project: Minimum of one week
- Accommodation: Volunteer house next to the wildlife sanctuary
- Food: Three meals a day
- Location: Alajuela, near San Jose (Central Valley)
- 24/7 emergency telephone support
- Optional: A letter of recommendation and certificate at the end of your volunteer time
As a volunteer on any wildlife rescue center you’ll will help with the animal care, feeding, cleaning, rehabilitation, rescue, and release of animals. The mission of the wildlife sanctuaries in Costa Rica is to give the animals time to heal from their injuries and when they are ready, they will be released back into the wild. Some of the animals will be in the sanctuary for their entire life because they would not survive or they are too domestic.
The wildlife sanctuary wants to provide the quality of life to the resident animals. The animals that are generally in sanctuaries in Costa Rica are sloths, raccoons, squirrels, macaws, parrots, anteaters, bird raptors, monkeys, toucans, and many more animals. Usually the wildlife sanctuaries receive their donations partly from the entry fee of visitors.
Wildlife Sanctuary Alajuela: The wildlife sanctuary in Alajuela had been moved from its original location in Limon. They have many different animals and believe firmly in rehabilitation and releasing animals. The sanctuary offers their volunteer housing right on the property – shared mixed dormitory type accommodation. Meals are prepared and cooked for volunteers.
- Preparing specific food mixtures for the animals
- Providing food, water and other nutrients to the animals
- Assist in the general maintenance and cleaning the enclosures, etc.
- Various maintenance work for the facility in general
- Giving tours to the visitors
- Becoming an animal handler
At the Dominical rescue center they pre-purchase the food and volunteers prepare their own meals – there is no chef.
At the Alajuela rescue center meals are prepared for you, 3 times a day, breakfast lunch and dinner.
The costs for this project are:
- First week’s fee: $ 599
- Every Additional Week: $ 299 (It does not matter many weeks you choose, this fee stays the same)
FEES EXPLAINED: Our organizational fee of around $299 is included in the first week’s fee and covers the “behind the scenes costs”, such as transaction bank fees, staff salaries, office space rental, and more. Our weekly fee for additional weeks covers the costs of your host family or project accommodation and food, the local staff on your project, and a donation to help with the daily running costs of the program you will help on.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE: First and last night in San Jose in a hostel, travel to and from the international airport (airport shuttles are around 30$ each way to San Jose – We can set this up for you, just ask us during sign-up), travel to the project site (usually by public buses, which are from around 10-16$ one way), national/ International flights, travel insurance, visa costs, Any additional food or snacks besides the host family meals, extra-curricular activities.
Axel – Wildlife Rescue Center – August 2024
This review is from Axel's parents who helped set up his volunteering for the Wildlife Rescue Center in Alajuela in August 2024.We sent our 18 year old son to the Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue center for a week stay. Once past the little home sickness, he had a blast...
Tessa’s Review – Wildlife Rescue Center – September 2021
Tessa volunteered with us in the Wildlife Rescue Center in September of 2021. She came with her friend, Lara, who’s review is posted separately. This is Tessa’s review. Volunteering at the wildlife sanctuary was truly an educational and amazing experience. The work...
Lara’s Review – Wildlife Rescue Center – September 2021
Lara volunteered with us in the Wildlife Rescue Center in September of 2021. She came with her friend, Tessa, who's review is posted separately. This is Lara's review. My friend and I volunteered at the animal rescue center project coordinated by green life volunteers...