Merazonia is a dynamic rescue and rehabilitation centre for trafficked and abused Amazonian animals, located on 250 acres of rainforest, in Mera, Ecuador, South America.
Merazonia is a dynamic wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre located on 250 acres of Amazon rainforest, near Mera, Ecuador, South America. We combine passion for nature with a professional approach on animal care and release, along with rainforest conservation and research. Volunteers help us in the day to day care of the wildlife.
We are caring for monkeys, kinkajous, cats, other mammals and parrots. Our volunteers help us care for the animals, as well as continue to construct enclosures and trails to improve the centre. We work on both rehabilitating and providing release programs for the animals. If animals are too injured or imprinted for this, we will give them a chance to live as naturally and comfortably as possible.
We also place importance on outreach, education, and research, and plan on implementing local educational programs as well as welcoming international students and researchers.
A typical day starts with feeding the animals and cleaning their cages at 7.30 a.m. After breakfast we work on maintaining and keeping the park clean, or building new trails and enclosures. The animals get fed again at 3 p.m.
Volunteers stay in our 6-sided jungle abode, which consists of a large dorm-style room, housing up to 8 volunteers. There is also a large deck area where we usually eat our meals, relax in hammocks, or strike up a game of cards. Our bathroom facilities are next to the volunteer house, and consist of composting toilets and our famously hot showers.
There are no fees other than the accommodation fees:
The volunteer fee is $140 per week for the first two weeks, which covers lodging and food, which we shop for and prepare communally. It also includes a contribution to medical supplies, animal food, and building materials for the continued development of the reserve. For those staying longer, weeks 2-6 are $120 per week and all weeks after that are charged at $90 per week.
In the Amazon, the weather runs from brilliantly sunny to downright wet (it is the rainforest), so we recommend raingear and layering work clothes (and liquorice or chocolate if you really want to get in good with the managers). While we provide linen and blankets, if you are prone to chilliness, we recommend bringing a sleeping bag for extra comfort. We also provide candles, but a flashlight is always handy for the dark jungle nights.
We regularly look for one or two long-term volunteers to help us with the coordination and day-to-day work of the refuge. We are unable to make this a paid position, but offer lovely accommodations in the jungle, and the chance to make a difference in an up-and-coming refuge. We like to think of it as an amazing learning experience (it has been for us!) and an impressive resume builder
En cuestiones organizativas, Frank y Louisa manejan el trabajo en Merazonia de una manera increíble, tanto ellos como el resto de los encargados y voluntarios trabajan en completa armonia y con normas muy estipuladas para poder mantener el orden y la convivencia. Si bien no hay luz electrica, eso no afecta a la calidad de vida en el día a día, hay agua potable, la comida nunca escasea y siempre es de buena calidad, y los ingeniosos sanitarios y duchas hacen que la vida diaria sea completamente llevadera.
La desconexión obligada al no tener luz ni internet, provoca que te conectes con vos mismo y con las personas y los animales a tu alrededor. Las personas que he conocido en Merazonia van a quedar por siempre guardados en mi corazón, junto con el verde, el olor a lluvia y a la mirada de los monos.
Gracias por permitirme ser parte de esto, por llevarme a conocer mis limites, por el amor hacia cada cosa que viva y respire. Ansío el momento de volver a Merazonia.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Living in Merazonia is not easy, is not like going to a zoo or camping. It´s living in community with nature, being part with your body and soul of the world that surrounds you. It's discover that wild side that we all have inside and many of us lost it by living in big cities.
In organizational matters, Frank and Louisa manage Merazonia incredibly fine. With the rest of the managers and volunteers, they all work in complete harmony and with very stipulated rules in order to keep the "family life". Even when there is no electricity, that doesn´t affect the quality of life: there is drinking water, food is never scarce and is always of good quality (I miss the fruit so much!!), and the ingenious toilets and showers make daily life completely bearable.
The forced disconnection (without light or internet), force you to connect with yourself and the people and animals around you. The people that I´ve met in Merazonia will be forever in my heart, along with the green landscape, the smell of rain and the deep look of the monkeys.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of this, for pushing me to my own limits and for the love towards everything that lives and breathes. I look forward to returning to Merazonia.
Marilina ”