Wildlife Care & Environmental Education in Ecuador
- Ecuador
About Program
The Great Green Macaw Release Project allows future conservation and field biologists to learn & work closely with the amazing Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus). The subspecies (Ara ambiguus guayaquilensis) is a Critically Endangered bird species with less than thirty individuals in the wild. The species became extinct from the release area, Ayampe, more than fifty years ago.
We aim to establish a wild population in the Ayampe Reserve and its surroundings. We have the amazing support of Loro Parque Foundation and we work together with the Jambeli Rescue Centre, the only Breeding Captivity Centre of Psittacids in Ecuador for conservation purposes.
The volunteer activities will depend on the season and will include:
• Data collection
• Monitoring the released birds with telemetry (VHF and GPS)
• Collecting native fruits and seeds
• Daily food preparation
• Feeding of pre-release birds and supplement food for the release
• Environmental education
Video and Photos
Program Highlights
- Near from wonderfull beaches
- Join with comunities
- Learn about field techniques for research
Program Impact
What can you do during your days off?
There is a variety of options during your days off according to your interests and preferences. The place is located near to peaceful beaches (Los Frailes) and near to party and social beaches (Montañita). You can also visit Machalilla National Park and Isla de la Plata, two protected sites with amazing biodiversity.
If you volunteer in the months of June-September, you are able to watch Humpback Whales in their migration to mate and sprawn in the hot waters of Ecuador, the area of the volunteer program is one of the best spots to this activity!
Optional activities in the reserve
- Monitoring Sea Turtle nests, La Esmeralda beach (if season)
- Monitoring Esmeraldas Woodstar (January-April)
Related Programs
Questions & Answers
Location
Ecuador hugs the equator on the west coast of South America, and holds Amazonian jungle, Andean highlands, and the Galapagos islands off the coast. Needless to say it is one of the most environmentally diverse countries in the world.
