Join expert wildlife veterinarians at one of the country’s leading wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres, where you’ll gain an immersive insight into the care, treatment and conservation of Guatemala’s incredible native wildlife.

Throughout your mission, you’ll explore the biology, behaviour and veterinary care of neotropical primates, parrots, reptiles and carnivores, combining theoretical learning with practical experience. You’ll develop your understanding of wildlife medicine, One Health and conservation, while gaining exposure to everything from animal handling, safe capture and sample collection to physical examinations, diagnostics, husbandry, anaesthesia, enrichment and treatment support.

You’ll also have the opportunity to assist with wildlife rescue and intake procedures, gaining a first-hand look at how new cases are assessed and managed. Every day brings something different, with the possibility of supporting treatments, therapy planning, behavioural observations and necropsies as required.

And when you’re ready to step beyond the clinic, the experience continues with a two-day excursion to Tikal National Park, where ancient Mayan ruins rise from the jungle alongside an extraordinary diversity of wildlife.

You’ll be staying on-site at the rehabilitation centre, surrounded by jungle and with wildlife right on your doorstep. With cold showers, tropical heat and the sounds of the jungle all around you, this is a true back-to-nature experience that perfectly complements the hands-on conservation work you’ll be involved in each day.

This is more than a veterinary placement-it’s a full-immersion journey into wildlife medicine, rehabilitation and conservation, combining meaningful hands-on experience with the adventure of exploring Guatemala’s incredible natural world.

Wildlife Veterinary Experience

Step behind the scenes of wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and veterinary medicine over twelve immersive days at one of Guatemala’s leading wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres. Working alongside experienced wildlife veterinarians and conservation professionals, you’ll gain practical insight into the care of some of Guatemala’s most fascinating species, including neotropical primates, parrots, reptiles and carnivores.

No two days are the same. Depending on the cases and activities taking place during your stay, you may be involved in:

• Wildlife rescue and intake – assist with the assessment and intake of newly rescued animals arriving at the centre.

• Clinical veterinary care – participate in physical examinations, annual health checks and veterinary treatments under professional supervision.

• Diagnostics and sample collection – develop practical skills in sample collection and diagnostic assessment.

• Animal handling and capture – learn safe and appropriate techniques for working with different wildlife species.

• Surgical and medical exposure – where appropriate, assist with procedures and surgeries and observe the management of clinical cases.

• Husbandry and enrichment – join the care team during feeding, enrichment and behavioural observation.

• Rehabilitation – discover how veterinary medicine, nutrition, behaviour and husbandry work together to support successful rehabilitation.

Alongside the practical experience, focused sessions will explore Wildlife Medicine, One Health and Conservation, covering topics such as natural history, anatomy and physiology, husbandry, anaesthesia, zoonoses, animal welfare and species-specific care.

Your experience goes beyond the clinic, giving you a broader understanding of the conservation challenges facing Guatemala’s wildlife and the work required to protect and rehabilitate native species.

Through practical workshops and real-world case discussions, you’ll explore:

• Safe wildlife handling and capture techniques

• Injection sites and dose calculations

• Physical examinations and differential diagnostics

• Sample collection and diagnostic techniques

• Therapy planning and treatment support

• Environmental enrichment and behavioural observation

• Wildlife rehabilitation and conservation case studies

You’ll also have the opportunity to see conservation in action through the centre’s daily rescue and rehabilitation work, gaining insight into the journey animals take from rescue and veterinary assessment through to long-term care and, where possible, return to the wild.

To complete the adventure, head into the Guatemalan jungle on a two-day expedition to Tikal National Park. Explore spectacular ancient Mayan ruins surrounded by tropical rainforest and incredible biodiversity, bringing together wildlife, conservation, history and culture in one unforgettable experience.

This is more than a veterinary placement—it’s an opportunity to experience conservation medicine from the inside while discovering the wildlife, landscapes and culture that make Guatemala so extraordinary.

Your accommodation is part of the experience. Stay on-site at the rehabilitation centre, surrounded by lush tropical nature and immersed in the sights and sounds of Guatemala’s jungle. Comfortable shared rooms provide a welcoming place to relax and recharge after days spent working alongside wildlife, with modern Western-style bathrooms for convenience.

All meals are included throughout your stay, featuring fresh, satisfying dishes and delicious local Guatemalan flavours. Enjoy a taste of the country’s vibrant culinary culture while having your meals taken care of throughout your adventure.

It’s simple, comfortable and wonderfully connected to nature - your base for an unforgettable wildlife conservation adventure.

If “Book Now” is available:

• Click the Book Now button to secure your place on the mission. Select the departure date and the applicable package.

• A deposit is required to confirm your spot - spaces are limited and cannot be held without payment

• The remaining balance is split into three instalments, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure

• If booking within 90 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking

• Once your deposit (or full payment) is received, you’ll be sent a detailed information pack covering everything you need to know - including program details, travel guidance, what to expect, and a packing list

If “Book Now” is not available:

• This mission may have specific requirements, offers multiple departure dates, or has alternative mission lengths available

• Click Ask A Question and complete your details to register your interest

• A Wilde Tracks team member will contact you via email

• If you don’t hear from us within 3 business days, please email info@wildetracks.com

• No payment is required to register your interest

• Our team will help guide you through the best options available for you

Some of our trips require a minimum number of participants to run. In the unlikely event the minimum isn’t met, we’ll let you know no later than 60 days before departure. If you haven’t heard from us by then, your trip is good to go. To keep things flexible, we recommend booking your flight after this point or choosing a flexible ticket.

Don’t just take our word for it - hear directly from the travellers who have joined Wilde Tracks missions around the world.

From hands-on conservation work and unforgettable wildlife encounters to meaningful connections with local communities, our guests share what it’s really like to travel with purpose.

⭐ 5.0/5 on Tripadvisor
⭐ 34 five-star reviews
⭐ Travellers’ Choice recognised

Read their stories, see what they experienced and discover why so many of our guests are already planning their next Wilde Tracks adventure.

Read our Tripadvisor reviews → HERE