Become a volunteer

If you volunteer with Inti Wara Yassi be prepared for some hard but extremely rewarding work.  Your time will be spent predominantly with one animal so that it will become accustomed to you.  This helps to keep them relaxed and happy and give them the best life possible.Work for everyone starts at around 7am and finishes late in the afternoon or sometimes goes on into the evening.

Volunteer Requirements

Basics: You do not need to have previous experience, all you need is a big heart and the will to work hard to save the animals.  However volunteers are required to stay for a minimum of 15 days, this is to protect and assure the animals. Volunteers, who wish to be responsible for a specific animal will need further training and therefore are required to stay for a month (usually more for the cats). Most volunteers stay for longer periods of time and often return to the refuge for a second and third time.  If you really don't have 15 days, then you can still visit Parque Machía as a tourist and be guaranteed the best wildlife photos of your trip.

Which Park?  We need volunteers just as much at either refuge. Your experience is as important as the work you do, you should choose the site you feel you will get the most out of.  In summary, at Parque Ambue Ari the work is more varied, but at Parque Machía the living conditions are better (e.g. electricity, hot showers, etc). Parque Jacj Cuisi is our newest park and facilities are basic, volunteers are needed to help with construction and caring for the two pumas and other animals on the site.

Long term volunteers:  Volunteers who are able to commit for several months are essential to the work we do.  As well as caring for the animals you will help manage the work load among the volunteers and if you like, you will even be assigned a group of volunteers to supervise. One of the main benefits of being a long term volunteer is that you will be able to see the outcome of your work and understand how long term wildlife rehabilitation really works. Little miracles happen every day but a full rehabilitation happens only after months or even years.

Health  All Health issues are down to personal consideration of the risks. We recommend that if you are travelling from the UK you visit Fit For Travel, which is a website run by the NHS giving travel health advice to people from the UK.  If you are not from the UK please check with your own countries recommendations (similar resources can be found for most countries.) We cannot offer advice as we do not have the expertise.

Do I need Spanish?  Basic knowledge of the Spanish language is not necessary, but recommended. All the permanent volunteers are Bolivian and it is enjoyable to be able to speak with them (even though there is always someone to help with the translation).

What to bring?

• Wellies and/or walking boots
• Lots of socks (long socks, to wear with boots)
• Warm clothes and sleeping bag for night time (it can get down to single figures Celsius at night)
• Waterproofs
• Clothes to work in which you are happy throw away at the end (long sleeved tops and trousers – a good option for this is to by things from second hand stores in towns near to the parks, a dollar for a shirt and a dollar for a pair of trousers!)
• Biodegradable soap/shampoo, especially if at Ambue Ari/Jacj Cuisi
• Repellent/sun cream/any cosmetics – nothing with chemicals can we used on your skin when working with the animals, only bring natural repellents (eg. citronella)
• Headtorch – especially in Ambue Ari and Jacj Cuisi
• Food – Machia has plenty of restaurants and food stores nearby. At Ambue and Jacj Cuisi, while you do receive your meals, you may want to bring some choice sauces to add to the food – chilli, ketchup, marmite etc.
• Money – even though there are ATMs in the towns by Machia and Jacj Cuisi, they don’t always work. The nearest cash machine to Ambue Ari is Santa Cruz (6 hours away), bring enough money to last your stay.

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The Animals:   

1.       Big Cats

Working with one of the big cats can require some patience, and in many cases lots of stamina!  It all depends on the individual as the animals in the park differ wildly with their abilities.  Some cats might go for an 8 hour walk 7 days a week, while others will take a slow wander just meters from the cage.   

2.       Monkeys:

If working with the monkeys get ready for some mischief!  If it’s not tied down it will be at the top of a tree before you know it!  In the monkey parks you will be cleaning and feeding as well as spending much of your time breaking up fights and helping the new monkeys make friends.  Be prepared for anything from a monkey down your trousers to another shitting on your head.  There are also opportunities to work in the monkey quarantine zone and with the spider monkeys.

3.       Monkey quarantine:

Here you will spend your day looking after ill monkeys and new arrivals.  This means providing TLC as well as feeding and cleaning.   

4.       Spider Monkeys:

With the spider monkeys it’s all about social interaction and being welcomed into a position within the group.  This is why a longer term commitment is so important.  As with all the monkeys the spiders require constant attention as they spend their days playing in the forest.  Before night falls all the monkeys on leads will be returned to their respective cages.  

5.       Small Mammals and Reptiles:

The most eclectic job in the park you could be looking after everything from bush pigs to kinkajou’s.  Work will include cleaning and feeding as well as walking ferrets and honey bears!

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The gritty truths...

• The work is hard and frustrating (as well as inspiring and rewarding).
• The refuge is a seven day week commitment, the days start at 7:30am and end at around 6pm. You will be responsible for any animal left in your care, and for chores on a rota that everyone must be on.
• It can be wet and muddy and there's no tumble drier.
• Resources are incredibly limited - especially money but also time for organizing and managing - we do our best with what we have but we're very different to funded or more expensive placements. (We believe everyone should have the opportunity, and compassion is the most important thing. If you'd prefer a more organised experience you can volunteer through Quest Overseas.)
• You have to work very independently as the organizers may not be able to give much feedback or spend much time discussing changes you'd like (but there's always someone to answer questions) - it can therefore be emotionally challenging and frustrating, and you have to have an open mind as to how the park operates.
• You will see environmental damage and the results of cruelty - this is after all why we're here!
• We hugely appreciate everyone's efforts but we might not find time to tell you - CIWY exists for you as well as our furry guests!

There is no drinking inside the parks and no drugs of any sort are allowed!  The Bolivian government is very strict about this issue. Any volunteer caught or seen with drugs will be asked to leave the refuge immediately.

• Volunteer Voice – read past volunteers comments
• More information on volunteering at Parque Machia
• More information on volunteering at Parque Ambue Ari
• More information on volunteering at Parque Jacj Cuisi
• Further questions, see the FAQ page.

Further Questions

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@intiwarayassi.org

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