Work with Monkeys in Panama!

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HELLO!

This volunteer opportunity is in Panama at Urraca Private Island (aka Monkey Island) with one of Planet Rehab's partners. Monkey Island is located in Bocas del Toro whicn is on Panama's Caribbean Coast approx. 30 miles south of Costa Rica. If you are interested, in addition to responding to VolunteerMatch, Please send me an email at Garym@planetrehab.org (this will make sure nothing gets stuck in your SPAM folder).

Below is the description of this opportunity. Please email me if you would like to be considered for this position.

MONKEY ISLAND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

The monkeys live with us on a mangrove island, with structures built around and inside a set of mangrove trees, all connected by bridges, on top of the water. So there is no actual land or sand on the island, it’s all build on top of mangroves. Volunteers are required to work 5 days out of the week, and are required to stay on the island during the volunteering program, with the option of taking water taxis to Bocas Town at their own expense during days off work (cost of boat rides not included in the program). Staying anywhere else in the Bocas region would make transportation to and from the island extremely expensive for anyone to afford, so living at Isla Colon is not an option when volunteering with us.

Free accommodation at Urraca Private Island as well as 3 daily meals is included in the program. The volunteering program has a monthly fee of $300 to help us cover costs.

Monkey Island Conservation and Refuge Centre offers a unique volunteer experience where you can get up close and personal with our monkey residents. You work along side professionals like veterinarians, biologists and other experienced workers. Your range of duties will be based on your experience and competence.

Who can volunteer?

Volunteers must be at least 20 years old

• Students studying subjects like primatology, biology, veterinary science, animal behavior, environmental science or any other subjects related to monkeys and wildlife
• Veterinarians, vet nurses, wildlife care takers or others with a keen interest in wild animals and conservation
• Anyone with skills in construction, building structures, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and such
• People with expertise in fund raising, foundations, marketing, promotion, email marketing, and educational programs
• Anyone knowledgeable on anything that could be useful on a remote mangrove island in the Caribbean full of wildlife
• Someone who doesn’t mind working hard and getting their hands dirty

What you will do

• animal husbandry
• food preparation
• grounds/enclosure maintenance
• cleaning
• assist in running tours around the sanctuary
• education talks
• any jobs around the sanctuary

What you can expect

• to meet our monkeys and work with our team
• work on an island in a unique habitat
• learn about monkeys, their needs, their behavior, their habitat, and what we humans can do to help other primates to survive outside our protected island
• become an advocate for monkeys
• free shared accommodation in beautiful little huts - either two single or one double bed in each hut, shared bathroom facilities
• free food and shared cooking facilities
• boat rides to Bocas del Toro once or twice a week (cost involved)
• free use of cayucos (little wooden boats) and snorkeling gear
• we can arrange trips to other islands (cost involved)

What we expect from you

• to be respectful of others, the animals and the environment
• not to use any illicit drugs (we are very strict about this)
• you are allowed to drink alcohol but only in moderation (we do not tolerate drunken behavior on the island)
• you need to have your own medical, health or travel insurance
• two weeks minimum stay with the first week on trial
• 25 to 30 hours of volunteering per week - this may vary depending on the work which needs to be done
• $300 donation to cover expenses and allow us to provide more volunteering opportunities to others

On other things

Although our monkeys are used to people they are still wild animals and therefore caution needs to be taken. Monkeys can bite!

We do not provide any phones, computers or internet. If you wish to purchase internet you need to purchase your own before you arrive on the island - CLARO provider works well.

Activities

• Bocas del Toro offers plenty of entertainment options from restaurants and shops to various water sport activities like scuba diving, deep boarding, surfing, sailing, whale and dolphin watching, as well as other activities (for further details have a look on Tripadvisor)

• there are lots of nature parks to discover like Zapatillas, Bat Cave tours, swimming at beautiful beaches and waterfalls, watching sloths in their natural habitat, etc
• free use of paddle boats and snorkeling gear

Equipment to Bring

• There is not much to bring apart from your personal belongings, long sleeve shirt, sandals, a hat, sun blocker and insect repellent.

Getting to us

Our captain will pick you up from Bocas del Toro or Chiriqui Grande (40 min to Monkey Conservation Centre)

• by bus or car from Panama City to Almirante (10 - 11 h), then by boat to Bocas del Toro (30 min)
• by bus or car to Chiriqui Grande
• by bus or car from Costa Rica to Almirante (via Changuinola)
• by plane from Panama City to Bocas del Toro (45 min)

Medical Considerations

Health insurance

• You must have your own private health and travel insurance. You have to provide us a certificate of proof upon your arrival.

Your health

• Your health is important and therefore you should be aware of any allergies you have and how your body reacts to diseases, wounds, insect bites and medicine. We advise you to bring any medication you may need.
• Good medical care is widely available in Panama City and David - though it’s limited elsewhere.
• Most doctors and hospitals expect cash payment, regardless of whether you have travel health insurance. (Be aware that there is a cash machine at Bocas although does occasionally run out of money)

Vaccinations:

• You do not require any vaccinations for Panama but there are recommendations on the World Health Organisation website. Please inform yourself beforehand (6 - 8 weeks) and speak to your physician
• We do not believe that vaccinations against yellow fever, malaria and typhoid are necessary but please check current recommendations
• You do not need any specific vaccinations for Monkey Conservation Centre.
• You should be up-to-date with your routine vaccinations (including tetanus).

Tuberculosis:

• Our primates are easily susceptible to tuberculosis. We ask for a negative tuberculosis test before you arrive.

Rabies

• Although rabies is not widespread in Panama there is a risk involved when exposed to animals.
• We leave it up to your discretion weather you want to undergo a rabies vaccination before arrival. If yes you do need 3 vaccinations, which will take you about 11/2 - 2 months to have full protection.

Other advise:

• Tap water is not recommended to drink in the Bocas del Toro district.

We have rain water on the island which is fine to drink.