Rainforest Conservation in Peru for Teenagers

Ever dreamed of going on a real jungle adventure? Seeing spider monkeys swinging free in their own patch of paradise? Waking up amid towering trees and the sound of creatures greeting the day? Have all of these wishes and more come true when you sign up to volunteer in the Amazon Rainforest.

You will live and work in the heart of the Amazon. How many people do you know who can say they did that? Every day will bring new outdoor adventures. You will see animals, birds, insects, and plants you’ve only read about in magazines or seen on TV before.

If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in conservation, you couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to get some practical experience! The skills you gain as a volunteer on this project will be a great addition to your university application or CV. It’s also a great experience to mention in interviews.

During your time at the Taricaya Ecological Reserve, you will:

• Conduct wildlife surveys to help us keep track of animals in the area
• Feed and care for animals at the rescue and rehabilitation centre
• Help preserve and protect freshwater turtles
• Expand your horizons with a jungle adventure

Wildlife surveys

You will help us keep a record of the various bird and animal species roaming around the reserve by doing surveys. Sometimes you will observe wildlife from viewing decks and walkways high up in the forest canopy. Other times, you will collect data from camera traps or scour the river banks for turtle nests.

We have identified almost 500 different species of bird alone in the reserve. You will also get to see incredible wildlife, such as various species of monkey, big cats, giant anteaters, and tapirs!

Thanks to our extensive research in the area, Taricaya Ecological Reserve is now known globally as a biodiversity hotspot. It has played host to international courses and famous film companies, from National Geographic to the BBC.

Care for animals at the rescue centre

The rescue and release programme at Taricaya has been running for 16 years. It was the very first of its kind in Peru. It is now recognised as one of the top rescue and rehab centres in Peru. All the animals in the centre require a lot of attention daily. You play a vital role in taking care of them. This includes feeding the animals, cleaning enclosures, draining and refilling pools, and assisting on-site vets when necessary.

We’ve had many successes over the years, such as releasing more than 5 groups of spider monkeys back into the wild. We have also rescued a number of spectacled bears from circuses and did the first ever relocation of a jaguar in Peru.

Preserve and protect freshwater turtles

Freshwater side-necked turtles are endemic to lakes and rivers throughout the Amazon. However, poachers steal their eggs and this has had a devastating effect on the population. To help, we run a relocation programme for turtle nests. We have built artificial beaches at Taricaya where they can hatch safely.

As a volunteer on a High School Special, you will arrive between June and August. This is the perfect time to help with the cleaning and preparation of artificial beaches. You will also get to spend some time searching for nests to transfer them to the artificial beaches for their incubation period.

The jungle adventure of a lifetime

This project offers you the unique opportunity to live in and explore a part of the Amazon jungle that few other people have had the privilege of seeing. What’s more, you’ll do this with others teenagers from all over the world and make new friends as you go along.

You will get to experience a bit more of the surrounding area during a weekend trip. This will typically entail a camping trip down river or a visit to Puerto Maldonado.