Study Veterinary Service in the Amazon Rainforest

My trip to Ecuador with Loop Abroad was an amazing. Waking up in the Amazon and having wild squirrel monkeys follow you on your walk to Amazoonico every morning is something you won't experience anywhere else. We had the opportunity to work on ethograms and implement enrichments for macaws and spider monkeys, observe physical exams on a squirrel monkey and a coati, and evaluate and microchip tortoises for release. We also performed a necropsy on a capuchin monkey and a venemous equis snake. Working with the staff from Amazoonico was a lot of fun, we learned a lot about how veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation works in a foreign country firsthand. We also went into the local town and put on a two day vet clinic for their pets which was a very rewarding experience. And, we had time to do some tourist activities like sight see in historic Quito and go white water rafting!

You will have to trek from the lodging and lecture site at Runa Wasi through the jungle to Amazoonico. It is maybe a 10-15 minute walk but it is totally worth it. Plus splashing through the mud can be pretty fun :) The Amazoonico staff was awesome and I learned so much about rehabilitating and releasing animals. We were even lucky enough to observe a release of many turtles, some of which were endangered. I felt really honored to be apart of their project. On the weekend we spent in Tena, I had the best time white water rafting, caving, and doing unique experiments that only can be done on the equator! We also did a city tour and learned lots of history, visited cool landscapes, and were immersed in Quito culture. This program is definitely for the adventurous!

This program was a great way to learn about the Amazon and the problems it’s facing, the animals are facing, and the people who live off the rainforest. We were able to help the vets at Amazoonico and learn about native animals to the forest. We helped with rounds, learned about native animals, learned spanish, and had a ton of fun. There’s a lot of hiking, so be prepared for that. Also everything gets dirty, so bring clothes that you don’t mind ruining. I loved learning about the culture and you get plenty of it. We went rafting, learned vet skills, tours the city, ate all the food, and danced a ton. We all bonded with each other a lot and I had so much fun meeting everyone from all over the country and world. I loved seeing all the animals and learning how I can help.

This program was a once in a lifetime experience! Not only did we learn a ton about the animals of the rainforest and the conservation work, but also got to participate in the work that the rescue was doing. This isn't the most hands on program due to wanting the animals to not be humanized, but that is the point in order to release the animals. The rescue workers are so nice and willing to help us not only learn but get involved too. Amazoonico does amazing work and getting to participate in the release of the turtles and the necropsies of the monkeys that died unexpectedly was an amazing experience. Getting to stay in the hostel run by the indigenous community was very fun because we were able to learn about another culture and interact with the children and people in order to learn more about their culture.

This was my third trip with Loop Abroad, my first being in 2017. I had a blast, loop abroad is great at making you feel safe if you’re traveling by yourself or a first time traveler. I find the trips both very fun and a great learning experience! Both the program staff and location staff are super friendly! This location is great for people interested in both the conservation side and clinical side of the veterinary field. Loop abroad is a great program for making friends while traveling. I loved the white river rafting, it was so much fun! You also get to vistit a local chocolate plantation that is about a 15minute caneo ride from runa wasi, you get to watch and learn how chocolate is made. The best part is getting to try the freshly made chocolate afterwards!