LOCATION : YANA COCHA ANIMAL RESCUE CENTER
Yana Cocha Rescue Center is a non-profit organization that strives for the protection of wildlife and prevention of illegal trafficking of Amazonian flora and fauna. The center performs the function of rescuing animals that are found in appalling conditions. Due to the constant influx of animals, there is a constant need for care, feeding, enclosure construction and maintenance.
ACTIVITIES
- Feed Animals - The main job of volunteers is to make sure that all of the animals at Yana Cocha are fed. Animals such as spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, parrots, kinkajous (honey bears), and many more live at the center. Volunteers prepare food in the morning and then in the afternoon for the nocturnal animals.
- Center Maintenance - Help is always needed improving Yana Cocha in many different ways such as maintaining the paths, fixing enclosures and building larger enclosures.
- Habitat enrichment - The habitats where the animals are living should be changed with frequency. Volunteers build new structures and arrange branches in order to provide the best environments for the animals.
- Forestry - Yana Cocha is constantly trying to plant more trees. 30 years ago it was a sugar cane field, and now it is a beautiful center filled with trees and many types of native plants.
- Botanical Gardens - Yana Cocha has a small botanical garden that needs work to be done with identification, expansion and maintenance.
WHY IT MATTERS
Yana Cocha is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the animals that come to the center. We are a new center, only 4 years old. This means that volunteers have a chance to shape the future of yana cocha and to really contribute to a center. Yana Cocha is improving every single day, and hopefully will never stop improving. Volunteers get to work directly with animals and promote their well being.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
People who have a love for animals are invited to come volunteer at Yana Cocha. Hard work, and an interest in learning are also expected. We also invite people who would prefer to focus their energy more in flora of Yana Cocha.
WORK SCHEDULE
Volunteers will work from monday till friday and weekends off. Working hours are 8 hours a day. Saturdays volunteers work until the morning feeding is done. They are then free to travel to the hot springs in Baños, go rafting in Tena or relax at the center for the rest of the weekend. The minimum stay at this reserve is 2 weeks.
ACCOMMODATION
Volunteers live in shared cabins that have electricity. Mattresses, sheets, pillows and blankets are all provided. There are bathrooms and showers with hot water. Volunteers cook together in a communal kitchen. There is a place to hand wash clothing, though most choose to pay a small fee to have it done in town.
GETTING THERE
Yana Cocha is located three kilometers from the town of Puyo, just off the road that leads to Tena. It is relatively easy to find us. A bus from Quito takes 5 hours and costs $5. We will come meet you at the bus stop in Puyo, or you can take a taxi which should cost $2.50 and are easy to find at the bus stop.
FIXED COSTS
Volunteer South America support and logistics fee - US$236.50
Program cost for 2 weeks - US$300
Program cost for 4 weeks - US$600
Program cost for 6 weeks - US$900
Program cost for 8 weeks - US$1200
OPTIONAL COSTS (in Quito)
Discount Hotel Accommodation - US$25-40 a night (60% discount)
Spanish Classes - From US$220 per week (4 hours a day)
Home stay with a local family - US$155. Includes accommodation, 3 meals a day and laundry.
TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE
All volunteers are required to purchase travel and medical insurance for the duration of their volunteer position. We strongly recommend that minimum coverage includes the following:
- Medical expenses - US$10 million
- Personal liability - US$2 million
- Personal accident - US$40,000
- Personal property - US$3,000
- Loss of Passport etc - US$1,000
- Legal expenses etc - US$40,000
- Cancellation etc - US$6,000
