NATURE CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS

Positions: Conservation Volunteers & Internships
Organization: Macaw Recovery Network

Term: minimum 1 month; max 6 months (see below)
Location: Punta Islita, Costa Rica, Central America
Housing: on-site accom. at no cost (see below)

Macaw populations have declined significantly over the past decades. The main causes are illegal poaching for the pet trade and the loss of mature forest habitat, which they rely on for feeding and nesting. MRN's vision is to see a future with thriving parrot populations in healthy, connected forests, across their former ranges. MRN’s breeding center consists of over 80 rescued non-releasable macaws, that through breeding and release of their offspring, can still contribute to the conservation of their wild relatives.

Purpose:

The applicant will be a caretaker at our Macaw Breeding Center during the non-breeding season. After a training period, the applicant will be given responsibility to care for a group of Macaws. Depending on the successes of the previous breeding season this includes caring for offspring and preparing them for release into the wild.

Volunteer Duties:

• Daily food preparation and feeding of captive breeding birds, pre-release birds and supplementary feeding of the released flock
• Regular site maintenance including aviary cleaning, providing perches and enrichment for captive birds and various other husbandry tasks
• Monitoring the health and behavior of captive birds
• Different general maintenance or development tasks may be assigned depending on our current needs and the skills and abilities of particular volunteers

Background:

No previous experience or academic background in Biology needed. However, applicants with a background in animal care/veterinary or carpentry/construction are preferred.

Hours:

The volunteer is expected to work 5.5 days a week. Monday to Friday from 5.30am until 5pm with a three-hour break and half a day in the weekend.

Duration of Work:

The minimum duration is one month with a maximum of 6 months. General availability is from the beginning of August through the end of December (some flexibility possible).

Desirable personal Qualities:

• Dependable and responsible
• Motivated and positive with a desire to contribute
• Interested in bird and nature conservation
• Flexible, friendly, patient and optimistic
• Sense of humor is helpful

Other Benefits:

• Great experience both in terms of travel and supporting a non-profit
• Increased understanding and appreciation of different values and lifestyles
• Increased skill in creative problem-solving
• Increased skill in team-communication

Anticipated costs:

All international and national travel costs to get to the site are your responsibility. Volunteers buy and prepare all their own food and we recommend you budget for at least $40 per week, or more if you like luxuries. On-site accommodation and utilities are provided at a no cost.

Comprehensive insurance cover for the entire stay is a must, and it should be arranged and paid for by the applicant. If staying for more than 90 days, doing a visa renewal trip is also the applicant's own responsibility. The most cost-effective option is going to Nicaragua via bus for a long weekend.

This program runs annually.

Send your resume at: volunteer@macawrecoverynetwork.org
subject: conservation volunteer

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