Amazon Animal Care and Rescue - Ecuador

Welcome to Zoorefugio Tarqui, a wildlife rescue center located just outside Puyo, in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and protect wild animals affected by illegal wildlife trafficking, inappropriate captivity and other human-related threats. We care for more than 300 rescued animals and receive over 200 new animals every year, including primates, wild cats, reptiles, birds and many other native Amazonian species.

Life here is active, hands-on and closely connected to nature. Every day is different. Our team works together with animal care, feeding, cleaning enclosures, preparing environmental enrichment, maintaining facilities and supporting rehabilitation and pre-release processes. Depending on your experience and the needs of the center, you may also assist with environmental education, community projects and other conservation activities.

We are located in Tarqui, only about 5 minutes from Puyo, the gateway to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Volunteers stay at the project and share their daily experience with our local team and other volunteers from Ecuador and around the world. Accommodation and meals are provided during the volunteer program.

Our project is more than working with animals. We also believe that conservation begins with people. For this reason, we organize environmental education activities with local schools and Indigenous communities, helping children and families understand the importance of protecting Amazonian wildlife and their natural habitats.

This is an opportunity to experience the Ecuadorian Amazon from a different perspective, learn about wildlife conservation and rehabilitation, contribute to meaningful work, meet people from different cultures and become part of a project dedicated to giving rescued wildlife a second chance.

We are looking for motivated volunteers who would like to support the daily work of our wildlife rescue center in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

A typical day may include preparing food for the animals, cleaning and maintaining enclosures, creating environmental enrichment, observing animal behavior, assisting with general animal care and helping our team keep the facilities safe and organized.

Volunteers may also participate in environmental education activities, community projects, maintenance work and, depending on their experience and the current needs of the center, support rehabilitation and pre-release activities.

Our center receives many different native wildlife species, including primates, wild cats, birds, reptiles and other Amazonian animals. For safety and animal welfare, direct contact with wildlife is always determined by our professional team and depends on the species, the animal’s condition and the volunteer’s experience.

No previous experience is required for general volunteering. We mainly look for responsible, respectful and proactive people who are willing to learn, work as part of a team and are comfortable with physical outdoor activities in a tropical environment.

Skills or studies in veterinary medicine, biology, wildlife management, environmental education, animal care, photography, social media, construction or maintenance are especially welcome.

The work can sometimes be physically demanding and includes cleaning, carrying food and materials, working outdoors and adapting to the changing needs of a wildlife rescue center. Every day can be different, which is part of what makes the experience unique.

A contribution is required to participate in our volunteer program.

The contribution is USD 200 per week for international volunteers and USD 150 per week for Ecuadorian volunteers. It includes accommodation and daily meals during your stay at Zoorefugio Tarqui.

These contributions help us cover the costs of hosting volunteers and directly support the daily operation of our wildlife rescue center, including animal food, veterinary care, enclosure maintenance, environmental enrichment materials, rescue activities and rehabilitation programs.

Zoorefugio Tarqui receives more than 200 animals every year, many of them affected by illegal wildlife trafficking, inappropriate captivity, habitat-related conflicts or other human-related threats. As an independent rescue center, volunteer contributions are an important part of helping us continue this work.

Discounts may be available depending on the length of stay, group size, students, returning volunteers or other special circumstances. We encourage interested volunteers to contact us directly so we can evaluate each situation individually.

Optional private transportation and personal expenses are not included in the weekly contribution.

By joining us, your contribution not only helps cover your stay but also directly supports the rescue, care, rehabilitation and conservation of Amazonian wildlife.

Volunteers are provided with accommodation and daily meals as part of the volunteer program.

Accommodation is located at or close to Zoorefugio Tarqui, allowing volunteers to be immersed in the daily life of the rescue center and the Ecuadorian Amazon. The facilities are simple and comfortable, designed for volunteers who are happy to live in a natural and community-oriented environment.

Meals are provided every day, and volunteers normally share common areas with other national and international participants. Living together is an important part of the experience, so we ask everyone to help keep shared spaces clean, organized and respectful.

Our center is located in Tarqui, approximately 5 minutes from Puyo, making it easy to access the city when volunteers need shops, pharmacies, restaurants or other services.

Zoorefugio Tarqui is located in the Ecuadorian Amazon, surrounded by tropical vegetation, wildlife and the sounds of nature. The climate is warm and humid, with frequent rain throughout the year, so volunteers should be prepared for tropical weather, insects and outdoor living.

Life at the center is relaxed but active. Volunteers live alongside people from different countries and cultures, creating a friendly and international atmosphere.

Because we are a wildlife rescue center, maintaining a calm environment is very important. Smoking is not permitted around the animals, enclosures or animal-care areas, and volunteers must always respect the center's safety and animal-welfare rules.

Personal pets are not permitted at the rescue center because of biosecurity and wildlife welfare considerations.

We recommend bringing comfortable clothes, closed shoes or boots, rain protection, insect repellent, sunscreen and clothing suitable for working outdoors in a tropical environment.

Volunteering at Zoorefugio Tarqui is an opportunity to learn about Amazonian wildlife, conservation and life in the Ecuadorian Amazon while sharing experiences with people from different countries and backgrounds.

Volunteers can gain practical knowledge about wildlife care, animal behavior, environmental enrichment, rehabilitation processes and the challenges involved in rescuing animals affected by illegal wildlife trafficking and inappropriate captivity.

Depending on the activities taking place during their stay, volunteers may also learn about environmental education, community outreach and conservation projects with local schools and Indigenous communities.

Cultural exchange is an important part of the experience. Volunteers live and work alongside our local team and other international participants, allowing them to practice Spanish, discover Ecuadorian customs, learn about Amazonian traditions and better understand the relationship between local communities, wildlife and the rainforest.

We encourage volunteers to share their own culture, knowledge and skills as well. Whether through language, photography, veterinary or biological knowledge, environmental education, creativity or simply everyday conversations, everyone brings something valuable to the team.

Our goal is for volunteers to leave not only with new practical skills, but also with a deeper understanding of wildlife conservation, Amazonian ecosystems and the importance of working together across cultures to protect biodiversity.