KEY ACTIVITIES

The work on this project will vary between clinical assessments of animals in a "hands off" manner and "hands on" support and treatment. On site we have enclosures for endangered white bellied spider monkeys, Saki monkeys, woolly monkeys and 5 adult manatees living freely in a large lake in the rainforest. There is always a changing mix of species in the nursery and veterinary clinic which can include ant eaters, ocelots, otters, primates, sloths and tapir. Where possible we do all routine checks without handling animals because it increases stress. When required we can restrain or anaesthetise wildlife for more thorough examinations and procedures. 

Each morning starts with the care of injured and rescued orphans, like silky anteaters, sloths, manatee claves and birds. Feeding the manatee calves requires time and pateince and even sometimes getting into the nursary pool with them, a highlight for most of our volunteers. You will help with both scheduled procedures like blood sampling, wound care and immobilisations for health checks, or unexpected emergency treatments when animals are presented injured or sick. When young orphans are at the sanctuary you will carry out care and enrichment in the quarantine and nursery area with the lead of the on-site vet. Work includes cleaning, feeding, observations and treatment if it is necessary.

Alongside medical work you will develop important husbandry skills, helping with the management of adult animals in an ethical hands off manner, doing cleaning, feeding, observations and enclosure maintinance. Learn to carry out species specific enrichment to maintain a happy population of animals. Work will include making food puzzles, adding structures, scents and toys to enclosures.

During a normal fortnight you will have a number of lectures on wildlife management, behaviour, and medicine. You will also participate in training that does not directly involve live animals, but is very valuable in veteriary care, including how to use a blow pipe to dart animals, making blood smears, camera traps and how to give injections. We will often do a monthly visit to other facilities to carry out medical checkup of animals. Some months we will be called to many rescues, although their timing is sporadic and not guaranteed. When on call outs, you may see animals held in suboptinal conditions and with many welfare issues. Sadly this is the reality of both legal and illegal captive animal ownership in South America. We will attend and help any animal, even if the owner or facility is of a poor standard, because this improves welfare and helps educate people. We ask volunteers to be understanding of this, not pass judgement and instead help us work towards a better life for the animals in Peru. 

Some days the vet team are rushed off their feet with sick and injured animals, other days the focus is on assessing new residents, and others aimed at ongoing work such as reviewing protocols, data input, and cleaning and reorganising the facilities. Whether you are rushing around the clinic, or researching cases, you will be learning the whole time. Volunteers are encouraged to remember that no 2 days are the same in wildlife work, and this is especially true in developing countries where plans can change with very little warning and activities may run late, be rescheduled or even cancelled. We do always give you one day off a week to rest and relax in the jungle.

Once a week we carry out "community days", helping with medical exams and vaccinations for dogs and cats in the local village, and "teaching days" working at our onsite classroom, assisting with environmental education programs. Education for the community and developing a good relationship with them is an important part of the work, slowly improving cultural understandings of conservation and welfare, environmental preservation and combating the illegal wildlife trade.