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Save sea turtles in Mexico, help rehabilitate injured animals in Mexico, work at a Panda reserve in China

Sea turtle project

Thousands of sea turtles of various species come ashore each year to nest and lay eggs on the Pacific coast in Mexico. Each turtle will lay several eggs but the chances of each turtle hatchling making it to adult life is slim. The chances have been made even slimmer due to the increase of fishing vessels using illegal nets which can suffocate a turtle if they’re unlucky enough to be caught in it.

Global Volunteer Projects is working with a local NGO in Mexico to help protect these rare turtles. Your job will be to collect the precious eggs from nesting sites, and put them in secure incubators, protecting them from predators, both animal and human! When the eggs are ready for hatching you will take back out to their nests and monitor the hatchlings as they make their journey to the ocean.

China Panda Project

The plight of the Giant Panda has become an internationally recognized symbol of the importance of conservation. The Chinese government has set up a number of research projects, reserves and parks dedicated to preserving the numbers of these very shy creatures. Our Panda projects are based in one such reserve in Sichuan Province.

After a period of basic training in safety and how to care for the animals you will put under the supervision of the head keeper. Your daily responsibilities will include helping to clean out the Panda’s bedding as well as doing general maintenance on the Pandas living area. Perhaps your most important role will be to work with the other keepers to help prepare the Panda’s daily meals. Contrary to popular belief the panda doesn’t just eat Bamboo (although it does eat a lot of it), its diet is supplemented with fruit, vegetable and even specially formulated ‘panda bread’.

From time to time, you may also be required to help the resident scientists collect data on behavioural patterns as well as assist the reserve’s vet provide any veterinary care that the Pandas might need.

Animal Rehabilitation in Mexico

Our veterinary and animal care projects in Mexico are based at an Animal Rescue and Veterinary centre near Lake Chapala. The centre was started 15 years ago by Lori and Vern, two Americans who were concerned about the lack of veterinary provision in the area.

In particular they were concerned about the number of animals kept in captivity inappropriately. The centre recovers animals from private homes or those that have been injured or hurt, usually in road accidents, and then finds the right habitat for the animals to be released.

Common animals they look after include Coyotes, Owls, Eagles, Falcons, Raccoons, Snakes, Tarantulas and various other animals.

Your role will be to work with the animals and help get them to a point where they can be released. Daily duties will include feeding the animals and cleaning their enclosures as well as helping with their rehabilitation, data collection and even giving presentations to school children to show them about the importance of wildlife. You will also help monitor the treatment of the animals and help with their release once they are strong enough to be released back into the wild.

Duration

2 weeks to 6 months. You can choose how long you go. Most join us for one month.

Start Dates

Throughout the year. You can choose when you start although the turtle project is only available from June to February

Costs / Benefits

A language or culture course is included in the programme.

Requirements

Our projects are aimed at people who want to work in conservation and gain experience working with animals.