Argentina4.5/5 (2 reviews)
Puma rehabilitation in Argentina
Help an NGO protect pumas and other rescued wildlife in a nature reserve in the Córdoba mountains of Argentina, through animal care, research and environmental education.
- Where
- Argentina
- Length
- From 2 to 12 weeks
- Minimum age
- 18 years old
- Language
- English intermediate
- Departures
- Every Saturday
from €1,750 for 2 weeks
Check availabilityTalk to the teamNo commitment. Anaëlle, Amélie or Maëlia will reply.
The project
Travel responsibly with our partner NGO, a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental protection through sustainable tourism. The main goal is to create a bond between humans and nature to empower communities to take responsibility for the planet. Their mission: to raise awareness about the condition of the puma in the Córdoba region and throughout Argentina. Through education and research, they have developed various programmes to improve the condition of wildlife and flora in the puma’s natural habitat. The biodiversity and abundance of other species are directly linked to its presence.
The reserve receives animals that are victims of traps and the exotic animal trafficking trade. Some of them are injured and will remain in the reserve, while others will be released back into their natural habitat. The reserve also houses other rescued animals such as the native eagle (Geranoaetus melanoleucus), ferrets (Galictis cuja), monkeys (Alouatta Carayá), llamas, Myocastor coypus, macaques, rabbits, chickens, owls, ducks, parrots, etc. Courses and workshops are offered throughout the year on various subjects such as big cats, birds of prey, snakes and arachnids, the forests of the Córdoba mountains, etc.
A project we follow
Projects chosen with care and followed through regular visits on site.
Your role
- Environmental education: Guided tours of the reserve for tourism, environmental education, lectures, and workshops.
- Environmental preservation: Control of exotic species, seed bank (collecting and selecting seeds from various native species), preparing food for animals, environmental enrichment (activities for animal welfare), organic gardening, animal care.
- Research: Assist researchers, check cameras.
- Maintenance: Trail upkeep, cleaning, waste management for recycling.
You will work 9 hours a day, with 1 day off per week.
Accommodation and meals
Volunteers sleep on site in the communal accommodation provided for them. Each bedroom has 10 beds with mattresses; you will need to bring your own sleeping bag. The bathroom is a shared space.
In winter, temperatures are below zero; our homes are rather cold as compared to homes in Europe. It is a good idea to bring warm clothing! In summer temperatures are above 30ºC. You will need to have comfortable clothes.
Volunteers have access to a washing machine once a week.
Free time and activities
Those who wish can choose to take Spanish courses for one week in Córdoba before starting the project.
This week is aimed at helping volunteers improve their language skills and discover the country’s culture.
Available options:
- 20 hours of group classes.
- 10 hours of individual classes.
- Online courses.
For more information, please contact us.
Understanding our programme fees: Supporting Sustainable Impact
Our international volunteer programmes involve a fee to cover comprehensive support services that are essential for a smooth experience abroad. This includes pre-departure guidance, in-country logistics, accommodation arrangements, dedicated on-site coordination, and continuous emergency support. These fees directly contribute to the sustainability of our agency’s operations and ensure the high quality of your volunteer journey.
Conversely, local volunteers in Argentina participate without a fee because they are locally recruited, typically manage their own domestic logistics, and don’t require the same extensive international support infrastructure. Their invaluable contributions are vital to the community projects. This dual approach allows us to facilitate meaningful international engagement while simultaneously fostering local participation and strengthening community initiatives from within.
Budget
How long are you going for?
Arrivals every Saturday
What is included
- Accommodation
- Airport pick up
- Donation for the project
- 3 meals per day
- Supervision
- 24-hour emergency line
Not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Local transport
- Airport drop-off
Where your money goes
Donations are reinvested in full and directly into the local associations. How the costs break down
See the budget week by week
| Length | Total programme budget |
|---|
Responsible travel by Freepackers
Why not take your time?
Extend your trip in Argentina
No volunteering here: a tour with local guides, at your own pace. The team arranges it with your stay, in the same enquiry.
All 5 tours in ArgentinaYou can add it when you fill in your enquiry.
Getting ready to leave
Your application
An up-to-date CV and a cover letter describing your background and what brings you here.
Conditions to take part
Minimum Length: 2 weeks
You must be in general good mental and physical health to be able to participate. In addition:
- You must be respectful of other cultures.
- You must be tolerant towards others and respect the differences.
- You must enjoy teamwork but also be able to work alone.
- You must be able to speak and understand English or Spanish (intermediate level).
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You have to be a proactive person, we welcome volunteers with initiative.
- It is very important that volunteers who apply for this position love animals and nature.
- Vaccines required by your home country and Argentina. The project additionally requires that the volunteer have the tetanus vaccine.
- Health insurance.
- Clean Bill of Health signed off by your healthcare provider stating that the volunteer is cleared to work
Insurance
For any project abroad, Freepackers requires travel insurance covering accidents, illness, repatriation and third-party liability. With Chapka Cap Student, you get 5% off.
Online language lessons
With Clic Campus: video lessons and an e-learning platform, from home.
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