Greetings Guardians of the Wild,

Would you like to volunteer with wildlife in Colombia?
This is a new initiative to assist a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and sanctuary in Colombia. More than just a volunteer experience, this is an opportunity to receive wildlife-centered training, from developing and creating enrichment activities, to monitoring and caring for Colombia’s native fauna, nurturing and rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, facilitating educational activities for greater impact and anti-wildlife trading effectiveness, and best ecotourism practices. In joining our team at Cabildo Verde, you’ll gain a plethora of new skills while caring for a wide variety of rescued wildlife.

What is Cabildo Verde?

Cabildo Verde is a non-profit organization (NGO) dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitate, and release captive wild animals with the hope of contributing to the health of Colombia’s wild animal populations and ecosystems. We also provide confiscated wild animals —victims of the illegal wildlife trade, who have been exploited in the tourist or entertainment industry, sold as pets or trafficked— a safe home in an environment as close to nature as possible.

In addition to our efforts to conserve and restore ecosystems, we aim to protect wild animals and their habitat from destruction through education. By disseminating information and raising awareness, we strive to educate others on the many facets of animal welfare and ethical tourism in the face of rampant exploitation.

Since 2008, Cabildo Verde has rescued thousands of wild animals including white-faced capuchin monkeys, crab-eating foxes, tayras, ocelots, kinkajous, pumas, eagles, macaws, squirrels, night monkeys, anacondas — you name it; if it’s a resident in northern Colombia, we have most likely seen it. Due to the expanse of the illegal trade, some of the animals which pass through our gates come from much further away.

MAJOR GOALS OF THE ORGANIZATION

• To rescue captive and injured wildlife and rehabilitate them for release back to the wild. If release is not possible, we work to provide for them with the best possible lives in a safe environment, close to nature.

• To campaign against wildlife trafficking, exploitation and abuse in Colombia, work towards ending the illegal wildlife trade and discourage people from keeping all wild animals as pets. Cabildo Verde actively seeks to combat the illegal wildlife trade while rescuing animals from poor conditions and human entertainment exploitation.

• To provide veterinary assistance to any sick or injured animal; wild or domestic.

• To educate and motivate local people (especially children), tourists and the international community to respect and protect wildlife and the environment. One of the most significant aspects of wildlife conservation is education and collaboration with local communities and wider public, who often inadvertently create demand for the exploitation of wildlife. We want people to understand the consequences of their actions and aim to persuade them to change their habits and attitudes towards wildlife as pets (“If the buying stops, the killing will too”). Cultural shifts are a long and arduous process and requires a holistic approach to education. Tours are given regularly to students and tourists at the rescue center with the aim to cultivate empathy and raise awareness for the plight of the illegal wildlife trade.

• To assist in and develop new projects involved in the protection, rehabilitation, enrichment, and welfare of wildlife.

• To restore and conserve natural habitat so that wild populations have somewhere to thrive, safe from deforestation, mining, road building, and other intentional degradation.

Let us know what sort of tasks you most enjoy accomplishing,

as there are so many ways to help wildlife at Cabildo Verde.

ABOUT YOUR STAY

There are two cozy, private bungalows, each sleeps 1-2 people.

These bungalows are located near the ocelot, and puma enclosures, surrounded by tropical forest, where rehabilitated monkeys, parrots, white-lipped peccaries and capybara roam freely.

Bathrooms are shared, a cement kiosk with cold showers (hot water is not needed in this climate) near the bungalows. 

We’re asking for a 1 week minimum, 3 month maximum stay. We will apply discounts for longer stays.

$400 / week (1 person).  

$700 / week (2 people) shared bed (we may be able to accommodate two twin bed, just ask first)

All training + coffee, breakfast, and lunch are included, and will be prepared on the property by a wonderful in-house chef. Food will be local “Santandereno” cuisine (very tasty) dietary accommodations and requests can certainly be made.

FLIGHTS

There are two options: 

Barrancabermeja (EJA), which serves domestic flights within Colombia (connecting flights through Bogota) and is nearest to Sabana de Torres,

Or to Bucaramanga (BGA) which is an international airport, and serves direct flights from Ft Lauderdale, Florida.

We will help arrange transportation from the airport to the reserve, which is just under 6km outside of the small town of Sabana de Torres.

REGISTRATION

If you are interested in this wildlife training experience, please fill out the registration form to let us know.