Wildlife Caretaker in the Amazon

The few weeks I spent at RAREC were truly wonderful. The focus of the program was truly on the well being of the animals and on the educational program, so the volunteering felt meaningful throughout. That being said, the coordinators always made sure that the volunteers were having fun by organizing trips to the lake, fruit tastings, and nights out in Iquitos. The center is extraordinary and beautiful, and if you’re lucky enough to go on a rescue, it’s truly a life-changing experience. I would recommend this without a doubt to anyone interested in a real adventure and who wants to do some genuine good by protecting these wonderful species.

The animals are so cute, simply out of this world.
And the staff are so dedicated you just get motivated to work hard and to help as much as you can.

I've stayed there for just under a month and I would have stayed more if I could.

I absolutely fell in love with the place.

The owners, John, is such a special man. You rarely see people with such commitment to anything, and his commitment is dedicated purely for the safety and preservation of these wild animals.

Definitely an experience I'll remember!

I volunteered at RAREC for a month and it was an incredible experience, I met very good people dedicated to their rescue and conservation work, I learned many things about each rescued species, the feeding of monkeys, ocelot, tapir, manaties and interacting with them.

Living in RAREC was amazing; the good vibe of the staff and being surrounded by nature makes life very calm and pleasant.
As a volunteer, I helped with feeding, cleaning, monitoring animal behavioral and any other support that was necessary. After finishing our duties (4: 30-5pm), we went to the platform to spend time watching movies, playing monopoly / chess, talking or relaxing in the hammocks.

Rarec has good and comfortable facilities, mrs Irasema's cooking is delicious, she also make vegan / vegetarian food. So if you are thinking in volunteer and you love animals, I recommend you RAREC. Kathya and John Jairo are very attentive, they will always want you to feel comfortable, also they have 4 dogs that are very friendly and they will accompany you on your routes.
I really enjoyed volunteering in RAREC, I miss being there with wonderful people and lovely animals. There is always something to do in Rarec and you will learn a lot.

If you’re looking for a place to volunteer with animals this is the perfect place!

Amazing staff and people, wake up every day in this magical place in the forest of Iquitos, taking care of animals, feeding them, and helping them get better before they can go back home to the nature.

Go there for a week, two, even a month. You won’t regret.

You can come alone, with your friends, or even with your family, there are always good people there to welcome you with open hands.

A great experience I wish I could do again.

I would totally recommend a visit to this amazing place! It is a gem in the jungle! They take both short- and long-term volunteers, who are encouraged to fully immerse in the crucial work that is done there.

Illegally hunted animals, those kept as illegal pets, young animals whose parents have been killed, and ill animals are all given the best of care at RAREC. The overall aim is that, once they have regained full health and are fully rehabilitated, they are then released back into their natural habitats. Day visits are possible, whilst those coming as volunteers can spend anything from a day to several months at the centre.

The staff and volunteers that I met during my short visit were truly inspirational. They also made me feel extremely welcome, and enabled me to play an active part in the daily routines. Above all else, the experience of being able to contribute to the care of the animals was a special privilege.

If you love working with animals, then this us the place or you. You get the sense that the first priority of those running it is for the animals.

About an hour south of Iquitos by collectivo (minibus) I would say it is well worth the journey, even if this is the only thing you can do in Iqutios. You learn so much more - about the animals, about the amazon and the culture - than you would on a tour.

Day to day you are expected to prepare meals for the animals, change water, clean eating areas, clean the manatee pool, prepare milk for the babys. The work is tough enough, nothing unbearable, but the heat and the mosquitos mean it's not a project for the faint hearted.

Rooms and showers are basic, no air con but the rooms have a fan. There is a hammock area for down time between animals' meals/other work with a projector if you wanted to watch a film in the evening. The wifi is about as good as it gets for Iquitos (in fact better than hotels in the city). Food is prepared for you three times a day. They can cater for veggie/vegan and I always found it was pretty tasty.

Compared to other centres in the area I have been told about, RAREC is the only one which doesn't tend to open the doors for hoards of tourists to come and pet the animals. This is in order to protect from infection - manatees and baby monkeys are particularly susceptible. I was also told by someone else that it is the only centre in the area which actually works towards release of the animals. They are careful about the diets - ensuring they are all getting the correct nutrients - there is an onsite biologist and they consult with vets, dieticians etc whenever there is a query over an animal. The animals are regularly monitored and, as is the plan upon release of two of the manatees next month they continue to monitor them and also track them to gather information for research.

While I was there there were also some biology students from the university of Iquitos doing a placement, which was great as it also meant you could practice your Spanish while working with them, if that's something you'd like to do.

I can't recommend this place highly enough, if you're willing to sweat through most of the day and forgo a hot shower then it is well worth it. I am so grateful to John and Ingrid for having me there and teaching me so much during my time.

If you love working with animals, then this us the place or you. You get the sense that the first priority of those running it is for the animals.

About an hour south of Iquitos by collectivo (minibus) I would say it is well worth the journey, even if this is the only thing you can do in Iqutios. You learn so much more - about the animals, about the amazon and the culture - than you would on a tour.

Day to day you are expected to prepare meals for the animals, change water, clean eating areas, clean the manatee pool, prepare milk for the babys. The work is tough enough, nothing unbearable, but the heat and the mosquitos mean it's not a project for the faint hearted.

I stayed at RAREC for 2 weeks in the beginning of January and what an amazing way to start the new year. I meet so many cool people and got to work with different animals. If you are looking to volunteer with animals like Woolly Monkeys or Baby manatees and more, also if you're ready to get your hands dirty, this is the perfect program for you. I also recommend taking a day off and exploring to city of Iquitos and surrounding areas. Experience the jungle, the culture, and the food. Be open to new things and you'll have an AMAZING time in RAREC!