Conservation Volunteers

Conservation volunteers with the Andean Bear Project are vital to our work in researching the bears. As a conservation volunteer, you will help us to collect radio telemetry data about the bears' location. This data will be analysed to help understand more about the space the bears need so that we can produce a management plan to help reduce conflict between bears and local landowners and farmers.

The data collection work involves the conservation volunteers walking along set routes in the mountains and cloud forest, stopping at designated listening stations to listen with an antenna for radio signals from Andean bears that we have fitted with radio collars. Volunteers are also involved in collecting hair samples for genetic analysis, maintaing paths and perhaps even helping to capture a bear.

Conservation volunteers stay in the "bear house", a shared house in the beautiful region of Ecuador where we work. Volunteer accommodation is basic but comfortable with fantastic views of the mountain scenery. There are usually hummingbirds outside the window and you can probably see about 20 species of birds just from the kitchen doorstep. Volunteers may help in our organic vegetable plot.

Volunteers with an interest in wildlife conservation will find volunteering on the project a rewarding experience and it is not necessary to be a biologist or ecologist to apply. Some volunteers looking for a career in conservation biology or wanting to work as a wildlife technician have used their volunteer placement with us to gain field experience and some universities will count it as a biology internship.

Prospective volunteers must be at least 19 years of age, in good health and fit enough to be able to walk at altitude in the Andes Mountains. No experience is necessary and you do not need to speak Spanish to participate as a conservation volunteer.

Questions about volunteering might be answered in the Volunteering FAQs and you can look through photographs from previous volunteers for more inspiration.

Conservation volunteer opportunities will not now be available before 2012 - availability and start dates will be published on the Volunteer Opportunities page. As an alternative, we suggest you check other volunteer opportunities in Ecuador. Also, you may be interested in volunteer opportunities in the Galapagos Islands with Galapagos Organic Rescue.

Andean Bear Conservation Project: Conservation Volunteers
Opportunities for volunteers to help with environmental and wildlife conservation in the field in Ecuador

Travel Insurance for Conservation Volunteers

Conservation volunteers learning radio telemetry techniques

Wildlife conservation volunteers walking in Ecuador.

Conservation biology: measuring the paw of an Andean bear

Conservation volunteers carrying parts of a cage trap.

Environmental conservation volunteer in Ecuador

Wildlife volunteers with an unconscious bear who has been tranquilized to be fitted with a collar.