After settling in, prepare to dive into a hands-on, week-long adventure at the heart of Guatemala’s leading wildlife rescue center. Over the next eight days, you’ll work closely with a qualified wildlife veterinarian and an award-winning biologist, gaining unparalleled insight into the daily realities of frontline conservation.

Daily Activities:

• Begin each day with animal husbandry tasks in specialized enclosures, caring for a variety of exotic species including parrots, primates, and reptiles.

• Take part in the design and implementation of environmental enrichment, helping stimulate natural behaviors and improve animal welfare.

• Develop and carry out a short behavioral study focused on psittacines (parrots) and primates, enhancing your ethological observation and research skills.

• Gain practical experience in wildlife handling and restraint, under expert supervision, with a strong focus on animal safety and stress minimization.

Fieldwork Adventures:

• Venture out for nocturnal crocodile spotting, tracking these elusive reptiles in their natural habitat.

• Learn to use telemetry equipment in real-world wildlife monitoring, contributing to ongoing conservation efforts.

Educational Sessions:
Throughout the week, you’ll attend expert-led lectures covering key conservation topics, such as:

• Wildlife Conservation in a Rescue Center

• Animal Behaviour (Ethology)

• Environmental Enrichment

• Animal Husbandry & Baby Animal Care

• Animal Management & Handling

• One Health & Wildlife Conservation Medicine

These sessions are designed to give you a broad and practical understanding of wildlife biology, particularly within the context of a tropical rainforest rescue center.

Research Contribution:

You’ll actively assist with the center’s long-term biodiversity monitoring projects, contributing to real scientific data collection while learning the essentials of field-based conservation research.

Days Off Excursion
Enjoy a well-deserved break with a guided day trip to the breathtaking Mayan ruins of Tikal—a UNESCO World Heritage site. The excursion includes transportation, a professional guided tour, and lunch, followed by time to relax and explore the colorful island town of Flores on Lake Petén Itzá.

As your conservation journey in Guatemala comes to a close, take time to reflect on the skills you've gained, the animals you've helped, and the connections you've made. After a final breakfast and goodbyes with your team and mentors, you’ll transfer back to Flores for your departure.

Though your time at the centre may be ending, the impact you’ve made—and the knowledge you take with you—will last a lifetime.