Experience Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Up Close in Costa Rica

Step into the heart of real-life conservation at Costa Rica’s leading wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre with this Wilde Tracks Collaboration Mission. Shadow expert veterinarians as they care for injured, orphaned, and confiscated wildlife — from tiny reptiles and colourful tropical birds to curious mammals — and be part of their journey back to the wild.

The centre sees over 3,000 animals per year, ranging from jaguars and sloths to birds and monkeys. It is a specialised rehabilitation centre for primates, birds, and mammals, and one of only a few registered and officially recognised rescue centres in the entire country. The centre is also partnered with its own release site, where animals are closely monitored once returned to the wild — a process you could play a crucial part in during your mission.

See what it is like to join this conservation mission! --> VIDEO

What You’ll Experience

• 🩺 Shadow wildlife veterinarians caring for injured, orphaned, and confiscated animals — from reptiles and tropical birds to playful mammals.

• 🐾 Participate in every stage of rehabilitation, from emergency response and medical treatment to long-term recovery and daily care.

• 🔬 Assist with diagnostics and treatments, including blood sampling, wound care, and physical therapy.

• 🍃 Support feeding, enrichment, and habitat maintenance for a range of species in specialised facilities for reptiles, birds, and mammals.

• 💡 Observe surgical procedures and veterinary rounds, gaining real-world insight into wildlife medicine and animal welfare.

• ⚙️ Use diagnostic veterinary technology such as digital radiography, in-house blood analysis, and laser therapy.

• 🌎 Learn about conservation ethics and biodiversity, and understand the veterinarian’s role in protecting wildlife in one of the world’s most ecologically rich countries.

• ❤️ Build practical skills and confidence to prepare for a future career in veterinary medicine, wildlife care, or conservation.

🐾 Open To

• Anyone studying or qualified in the veterinary industry - including pre vet, nurse/tech and vet students of any year level

🔍 Available Trips

• Available year round with a 2 week minimum

• Begins Sunday, ends Saturday

  • Click Book Now and input your preferred dates into Join Waitlist. A Wilde Tracks Team Member will be in contact!

  • Email info@wildetracks.com with any questions.

🔥 Real experiences. Real travellers. Read their reviews here!
https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g186338-d32706729-Reviews-Wilde_Tracks-London_England.html

Arrive in San José, Costa Rica, and transfer to the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre — your home for the journey ahead. Settle into comfortable accommodation right beside the clinic, where the sounds of nature surround you. As evening falls, take a gentle walk around the centre to meet some of its permanent residents and hear the calls of the animals you’ve come to help. Your conservation adventure begins here.

Over these days, you will be fully involved in the centre’s day-to-day operations, helping with any incoming cases and being ready for emergencies and medical intakes. You will assist with ongoing patients, supporting their care and monitoring progress as they recover.

As animals advance in their rehabilitation, you will help prepare them for release, including upgrading them to new enclosures and fitting tags or identification rings. You will also gain hands-on experience in diagnostics, such as radiology, blood analysis, and other medical procedures.

In addition, you could participate in advanced rehabilitation techniques, including laser therapy and enrichment programs, learning how veterinarians and caretakers work together to give wildlife the best chance of returning to the wild.

Each day offers a unique experience — no two days are the same — and a mix of practical work, problem-solving, and direct contribution to conservation in action.

This is your chance to ask questions, observe procedures up close, and receive a wealth of knowledge in wildlife medicine and conservation. There is a 2-week minimum, but we highly recommend staying longer — the more days you spend at the centre, the more experience you could gain and the wider variety of species you could encounter.

As your unforgettable Costa Rican adventure comes to an end, it’s time to say goodbye. After a final farewell with your team, you’ll transfer back to San Jose Airport for your departure. Safe travels, and carry the memories of this incredible journey with you!