Program Photos
Primate Rescue and Rehabilitation, Belize
Location: Belize: Rural Areas
Term: Throughout the year
Program Duration: 5-8 weeks, 7-12 months (includes high school academic year abroad), 9-12 weeks, over 2 years, 3-6 months (includes high school academic semester abroad)
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Ongoing
Call Us
Phone: UK +44 (0) 207 193 2652 / USA +1 (415) 315 9942
Description
The Central American jewel of Belize is home to three primate species: the mantled howler (Alouatta palliata), black howler (Alouatta pigra), and Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi). Yet all too often these primates are bought and sold as illegal pets, endangering their health and the species' survival in the wild.
This project places you with a Belizean NGO formed in 1990 which run several programmes focused on conservation and sustainable development. Along with the Forest Department of the Government of Belize, this organisation manages the national Primate Rehabilitation Centre, where confiscated or surrendered pet monkeys are transferred for rearing and rehabilitation before eventual release back into the wild.
An initial 8 endangered Yucatan black howler monkeys were transferred to the Centre in December 2010, with another 3 baby howler monkeys and 1 spider monkey being added in the first two months of 2011. Howler monkeys are rehabilitated to approximately 1.5 to 2 years of age, before moving into an extensive pre-release enclosure where they learn to move through the tree canopies and forage for food, before being released into a nearby Fireburn reserve. You will play a critical role in this process, from being foster 'mothers' for the smallest babies, to providing daily care for the groups of older youngsters, and monitoring the monkeys through the pre-release and post-release phases of their rehabilitation.
Highlights
You will get involved in all aspects of monkey care - including food preparation (milk, fruit, leaves), feeding, and clean-up, cage and facility maintenance, making behavioural observations and record keeping. You can even work in the browse garden where monkey food plants are grown.
Daily activities vary depending upon the ages of the monkeys in care at any one time: the youngest babies have a dedicated foster -mum appointed to look after them, whilst older groups typically have their first feed at 6:30am and their last at 4:30pm. During the pre-release phase, your work will also include monitoring of the monkeys' behaviour: structured observation of social interactions within the group, group cohesion and leadership, and their activities through the day.
The post-release monitoring also includes information on the tree and vine species consumed. The release will be the first reintroduction of black howler monkeys into the north east corner of Belize after an absence since the 1940s, so there is limited information on the trees and vines on which they will feed. You will help a small team in the post-release monitoring & tracking, following the released monkeys as they establish their territories in the tropical forests of the Fireburn Reserve.
Additional Reserve maintenance duties, such as trail maintenance, patrols, etc., will also be undertaken as time permits. Up to the release phase of rehabilitation, primate volunteers will be working alongside others who will be working on the Manatee Rehabilitation Programme. Don't miss this chance to help these lovable creatures re-adapt to life in the wild.
Qualifications
* Min age 18 - Max age 80
* Minimum 4 weeks commitment - 25+ hours a week.
* Enthusiasm and interest to work with primates and their rehabilitation
* Basic English skills
* Full travel & medical insurance
* Necessary vaccinations
* Necessary flights & visas
Intern Types
- Animal Sciences
- Zoology & Wildlife Sciences
Languages
- English
Cost in US$:
500 USD Project Fee per month + 249 GBP Placement Fee
Cost Include Description:
500 USD per month. Includes all food, accommodation, 24/7 support, transport to and from the local town and programme activities.
Credit Available
no
Volunteer Types
- Animal Welfare
- Conservation
- Environment
- Grassroots Organization
- Research
- Veterinary
- Volunteering
- Wildlife Surveying
This Program is open to
Worldwide Participant.
Typical Living Arrangements
- Group living
Participants Travel to Belize
Independently or in Groups
Application Process Involves
- Online Application plus Application Assessment
Typically The Application Process Time is
1-3 daysGlobal Nomadic Ltd's Mission Statement
Global Nomadic hosts a variety of projects and internships around the world, specially chosen for their ability to enhance career prospects in unique and diverse areas. We seek to specialise in serious placements, catering for those looking to get a foot in the door to the career they aspire to. We put you directly in touch with the project provider, offering a complete and ethical service.
Year Founded
2009
