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Last replied
3 Apr 2025
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Description
***** Only accepting volunteers for a minimum commitment of 2 months -*******
Our Wildlife Sanctuary’s mission is to provide a permanent, spacious sanctuary and ongoing care for wildlife that, due to psychological or physical injury, it is not possible to release back into the wild.
Physical injury to Costa Rica’s wildlife is most often caused by human encroachment. Deforestation, development and fragmentation of their natural habitat has led to frequent electrocutions on power lines, dog attacks and injury or death due to fast moving motor vehicle.
The Wildlife Sanctuary looks for volunteers with a real passion for our project and the work we do, who not only want to help with the daily sanctuary chores but are also motivated to support our mission to prevent the devastating and often fatal wildlife electrocutions on power lines happening daily across Costa Rica. We are looking for a minimum stay of 2 months.
IMPORTANT: Volunteers have no interaction with the animals in our care. Our sanctuary still focuses on animal care and volunteers provide important parts of this care such as food preparation and habitat cleaning, but if you are looking to handle wildlife, this is not the project for you!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Travellers can learn about the impacts the rapid development for tourist in the area is having on local wildlife and how they can help.
Help
Our Wildlife Sanctuary looks for volunteers with a real passion for our project and the work we do, who not only want to help with the daily sanctuary chores but are also motivated to support our mission to prevent the devastating and often fatal wildlife electrocutions on power lines happening daily across Costa Rica. We are looking for a minimum stay of 2 months.
Volunteer responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Creating and implementing enrichment ideas
- Food preparation
- Cleaning habitats
- Putting out fresh leaves
- Scrubbing soiled blankets
- Laundry
- Preparing sleeping areas
- Keeping the sanctuary grounds clean and presentable, including all facilities
- Keeping all work spaces clean
One of the most important tasks for volunteers is researching and implementing enrichment projects. These can be related to the animals’ food: finding stimulating ways to feed the animals to recreate challenges they might face in the wild. The enrichment projects can also be related to entertainment; reconfiguring habitats and building toys or objects for the animals to play with, interact with or climb over. All volunteers must have approval from management ahead of building and implementing enrichment projects.
On a normal volunteer schedule each volunteer has 2 full days off. The working days are 6:30am – 6pm, however we try to stagger volunteer shifts so no one is working the whole day. Our shifts are 6:30 to 3:30 and 9am to 6 pm. Normal lunch breaks are 1.5 hours long.
We are looking for mature, flexible, open-minded, hardworking volunteers. Preferably 21+ and independent.
We need caring individuals that are fine with tedious, dirty work. Working with vulnerable and young animals can be hard; mentally and physically. Volunteers need to be eager to work, self-motivated, respectful and most of all: flexible. Volunteers will be working both in team-setting as well as independently. Volunteers will get hot, wet, dirty & tired, but in the end the results of your work will be your reward!
Costa Rica has a very hot & humid climate which doesn’t make work easier. There are many insects here, but there is no malaria.
Some level of Spanish is appreciated, but not required. Fluent English is mandatory.
All volunteers need to have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination and international health insurance.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Accommodation
Volunteers who wish to live on-site can stay at the volunteer casita for a monthly contribution.
Our accommodation includes the main casita building with 2 volunteer bedrooms (2 beds each), 2 bathrooms, full kitchen with fridge/freezer & oven, washer/dryer and a communal living area. There is a tent that houses an extra 2 volunteers that has shelving, electricity, 2 single beds and private bathroom. Volunteers staying in the casita must be open to sharing a room with another volunteer of the same sex.
We provide rice and beans for lunch and dinner for our volunteers living on-site. If you want anything else to eat, you are more than welcome to purchase your additional groceries and cook your own meals.
There is WIFI available at the casita, however it can be unreliable at times.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Feedback (6)
Both of them went above and beyond, especially by using their knowledge during their volunteer time. Kelvin… read more
We highly recommend Jensen for any project, you won't be disappointed!
The location in the jungle is amazing. I loved the different sounds of the jungle, but also liked that you can use one of the bikes any time to go to the… read more
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
Both of them went above and beyond, especially by using their knowledge during their volunteer time. Kelvin… read more
We highly recommend Jensen for any project, you won't be disappointed!
The location in the jungle is amazing. I loved the different sounds of the jungle, but also liked that you can use one of the bikes any time to go to the… read more
There's so much to do and learn, you won't get bored!
Be ready to get dirty, sweaty and tired, but everyone working together towards one common goal is so rewarding.
Vicki is the most amazing and passionate woman I've ever met; you won't regret working with her.
The work was great! Prepare food for all animals, give milk to the… read more
