Join the staff at 'The best Little Zoo in the World' in their work of housing rescued animals and providing wildlife education to the people and especially the students of Belize. Belize Zoo receives visits from over 15 000 school students each year and there is always a need for energetic volunteers to join the work. If you are excited about animals and sharing your passion, or if you have professional skills to share the Belize Zoo needs you!

About the Zoo and the animals

Belize is a beautiful English speaking Caribbean country covered in huge swathes of rainforest. Much of its wildlife is the same as that of the Amazon Rainforest. The Belize Zoo and Tropical Eduction Center (TEC) house over 125 animals in their natural habitat. The zoo keeps only native animals of Belize which were either orphaned, born at the zoo, rehabilitated, or sent to The Belize Zoo as gifts from other zoological institutions. A visit to the zoo is the best way to get an introduction to the animals of Belize, and to understand why it is important to protect the habitats that sustain them. The Belize Zoo and TEC believe that by bringing the people of Belize closer to the animals which are their natural heritage, they will feel proud of these special resources, and want to protect them for future generations.

The zoo is based about 45 minute drive from Belize City in 29 acres of Belizian tropical savannah. The land has been sensitively fenced and maintained to ensure that the animals live in an environment as close as possible to their natural habitat. Gravel paths wind amongst the enclosures giving the feel that you are walking in the wild amongst the wildlife.

You'll get to know jaguars, pumas, ocelots, tapirs, harpie eagles, crocodiles, howler monkeys, gibnuts, scarlet macaws, toucans, king vultures, boa constrictors, coral snakes and many more beautiful and incredible animals of Central America.

Volunteering Opportunities

The Belize Zoo and TEC have a need for volunteers to work in three main areas:

* Education Department Volunteering

* Professional Roles

* Animal Management Department Volunteering

Education Department volunteering

With visits from over 15 000 school students each year The Belize Zoo and TEC are extremely busy providing educational tours and resources. There is a real need for volunteers to help guide and teach the students.

The main roles are:

* to be actively involved in introducing visiting school groups to the Belize Zoo including guiding groups around the Zoo

* to help in delivering and developing fun environmental education and awareness lessons to visiting school groups

* to help in the development of posters, signs and slogans promoting the conservation and protection of endangered fauna

* to participate in the brainstorming of ideas to better educate the local and international community about the importance of the Zoo for the conservation and development of stewardship in the local and international community

* to participate in community outreach programmes in villages and districts around Belize teaching about the importance of wildlife conseration.

What you'll do:

The Education placements are for a minimum of 1 month and can last up to 6 months or longer. You'll start with a week of detailed learning giving you a rare and fascintating insight to the zoo and the natural history of Belize. You'll become familiar with the animals of Belize and will spend time around the zoo, time assisting with school groups and time on private reading. Once you are sufficiently familiar with the information you will start conducting your own school group introductions and tours of the zoo.

This is a placement that is full of fun and gives you the chance to help educate a generation of Belizians about the beauty and importance of their natural heritage. You'll also never view the rainforest and its wildlife the same way again. Its impossible to spend time at the zoo and not fall in love with the animals.

Requirements:

No previous experience is required, just energy and enthusiasm to work with kids and animals. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

Professional Skills volunteering

If you have one of the following professional skills then we'd love to hear from you as the zoo has a real need.

The roles:

* Landscape designer - to work with the zoo's leadership to continue to improve the layout and design of the zoo

* Carpenter / builder - to work on general maintainence as well as developing new enclosures and infrastructure within the zoo

* Plumber / electrician - to work on general maintainence and up-grade the zoo's infrastructure

* Marketing professional - to work with the zoo's leadership to develop the zoo's advertising within Belize and internationally

* Web designer - to help develop and improve the zoo's website

* Artist - to create beautiful artwork for display in the zoo, as well as mural creation around the zoo

* Photographer - to add to and improve the zoo's stock of photos used for advertising and the creation of t-shirts, posters and postcards

* Aquarium Developer - the zoo has a small number of aquariums and would really benefit from an experienced skilled aquarium developer to work on improving this section of the zoo.

What you'll do:

These placements are generally for a minimum of 2 weeks and can last up to 3 months or longer. You'll work with the zoo's leadership team to make the most of your skills. Its a beautiful place to work and a rare chance to use your skills in a completely different environment surrounded by some of the most beautiful and exotic animals in the world.

You'll leave the zoo at the end with a new and deeper understanding of the beauty and importance of Central American wildlife and you'll know that you've used your skills to help conserve it.

Requirements:

Professional experience or relevant qualifications are required for these roles. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

Animal Management Department volunteering

The Animal Management Department looks after all the animals in the zoo. Volunteers with previous experience working with animals have the oportunity to assist in caring for the animals.

The roles:

* Assist in the care and maintenance of rare and endangered neo- tropical fauna found in the zoo. You will have responsibilities for understanding the specific needs of the animals within their captive environment

* Assist in wildlife interpretative tasks for zoo visitors and tour groups e.g. handling and exhibiting a Boa Constrictor to visitor while relating its life history, present conservation status and answering questions about the specimen

* Be involved in current wildlife conservation efforts ongoing at the Belize Zoo such as, Jabiru Stork monitoring, problem Jaguar rehabilitation and Harpy Eagle reintroduction programme

* Contribute to exhibit enrichment; this includes the betterment of animal enclosures, enhancement of viewer experiences, enhancement of activities and positive enrichment for the enclosed fauna, improvement of the captive environment for the animals and landscaping of trails, paths and signs within the zoo

* Assist the Zoo vet with surgical procedures or animal inspections

What you'll do:

These placements are for one month to 6 months. As with all animal care roles in a zoo, early starts and long hours are the order of the day. You'll join the busy team of zoo keepers and caretakers looking after the animals in the zoo. Working closely with the zoo keepers you learn an incredible amount from them about the detailed needs of the animals under your care.

Requirements:

Experience working in a zoo or animal centre or relevant qualifications are required for this role along with a good level of fitness. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

Lifestyle

There are generally one to four volunteers working at Belize Zoo and TEC at any one time along with the team of staff numbering over 30. You will live in shared dorms at the TEC with other volunteers. The dorms are divided into single sex twin rooms with a shared living space and a screened veranda. Meals are in a communal dining area at the TEC.

The TEC is about a mile from the zoo and you will be provided with a free bike to travel between the two places.

There are computers available that you can check emails on and there is a pay phone at the TEC. About a 5 minute bike ride up the road is a popular bar and restaurant.

On days off you can catch a bus to Belize City (about 1 hour) and from there you can fly or take a boat out to some beautiful tropical Caribbean islands including San Pedro and Caye Caulker.

What's included

• A comprehensive information booklet
• Travel advice and assistance
• Accommodation (a simple shared room)
• All main meals
• Ongoing support, help and advice from our local team.

What's not included

The following estimates are given as a guide for your budgeting: flights to Belize International Airport (£600-£800), travel insurance, visa (free for stays of less than 30 days, £45 otherwise), transport to the Zoo from the airport (about £40), general living costs (£100 per month).

Benefits

By volunteering at the Belize Zoo and TEC you will make a major contribution to the welfare of animals in Belize. Your time and efforts will help to care for the animals, and the majority of the programme cost will go direct to the Centre providing a critical source of funding for their work.

On a personal level you will have a unique opportunity to work alongside some incredible Central American wildlife and gain the satisfaction of helping to make a difference to the lives of these animals.

Next steps and how to apply

Please contact us if you would like to discuss the placement, or go to the how to apply section where you can apply online or download an application form.

You might also be interested in....

Our other animal placements around the world:

* Bear Sanctuary in Cambodia 

* Elephant Care in Thailand

* Wildlife Rescue in Thailand

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