Step into the Wild & Discover Your Future in Conservation
Join a qualified wildlife veterinarian and an award-winning biologist at Guatemala’s premier wildlife rescue center—located deep in the heart of the lush tropical rainforest. This Wilde Tracks Collaboration is your chance to work at the frontlines of animal rescue and conservation, developing the skills and experience needed to thrive in wildlife biology, veterinary medicine, and conservation science.
See what it is like to join this conservation mission! --> VIDEO
You’ll be staying on-site at the rehab centre, immersed in the jungle with wildlife at your doorstep. The showers are cold—but after a long day in the jungle heat, that’s exactly what you’ll want. It’s a true back-to-nature experience that complements the wild work you'll be doing every day.
Daily Animal Care
Participate in hands-on animal husbandry across a variety of exotic species, working in specialized enclosures designed for recovery and enrichment.
Behavioral Studies
Develop and conduct a mini-research project on primates and psittacines (parrots), gaining valuable skills in behavioral observation and scientific methodology.
Wildlife Handling & Restraint
Learn essential techniques to safely handle and restrain wild animals under expert supervision.
Environmental Enrichment
Design and implement creative enrichment strategies to enhance animal welfare and natural behaviors.
Nocturnal Crocodile Spotting
Head out into the jungle after dark to observe crocodiles in their natural habitat.
Telemetry Tracking
Use professional tracking equipment to monitor wildlife movement and behavior in the field.
Expand your knowledge with focused talks covering:
Wildlife Conservation in a Rescue Center
Ethology (Animal Behavior)
Animal Husbandry & Baby Animal Care
Environmental Enrichment
Animal Management & Handling
One Health & Wildlife Conservation Medicine
Assist in ongoing long-term biodiversity monitoring projects, supporting critical data collection and research that informs local and global conservation efforts.
Take a break to explore one of the world’s most awe-inspiring archaeological sites. Your program includes a guided day trip to the Mayan ruins of Tikal, complete with transportation, lunch, and free time to relax in the picturesque island town of Flores.
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Anyone studying or qualified in animal care and conservation industries
4 - 17 January 2026
8 - 21 February 2026
5 - 18 April 2026 (waitlist)
31 May - 13 June 2026 (waitlist)
2 - 15 August 2026 (waitlist)
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.
Private group bookings available on request!
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13 nights, 14 days shared rooms
All meals and non alcoholic drinks
Including airport pick-up and drop-off from Flores Airport (FLW)
Dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native wildlife—advancing veterinary care, and training future conservation professionals through sustainable, hands-on practices
Animal care, enrichment, behavior studies, wildlife handling, field tracking, crocodile surveys, conservation lectures, Tikal excursion
Qualified English-speaking field guides
International flight to Flores Airport
Mandatory
If applicable
Touch down in the colorful town of Flores, where cobbled streets, lake views, and lush jungle surroundings mark the start of your wildlife conservation adventure.
From here, you'll transfer to a leading wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center — a sanctuary for some of Guatemala’s most incredible native species, including jaguars, spider monkeys, scarlet macaws, and more.
As you arrive, the sights and sounds of the tropical forest welcome you. This isn’t just a destination — it’s a gateway to something deeper: a hands-on journey into the heart of conservation.
Tonight, you'll meet your fellow participants — a passionate group of professionals and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world. Gather for a welcome dinner where Guatemalan hospitality shines through vibrant, traditional dishes made with local ingredients.
This is more than just your first night — it’s the beginning of a shared mission, where science, care, and conservation come together in the heart of the jungle.
Settle in, connect, and let the adventure begin.
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.
