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Croc
Breeding Conservation in Guatemala
Organisation:
ARCAS
Location:
Hawaii, Guatemala.
Details:
Crocodiles
and other animals were once abundant in the south coast, but
are rapidly disappearing due to hunting and loss of habitat.
Crocodiles and iguanas are captive bred on the grounds of the
Hawaii Park and offspring are released into the nearby mangrove
forests. Volunteers assist in the feeding and care of breeding
caimans and iguanas.
ARCAS is a non profit
Guatemalan NGO formed in 1989 by a group of Guatemalan citizens
who became concerned as they saw their precious natural heritage
- especially their wildlife - rapidly disappearing before their
eyes. It was originally created for a very specific and urgent
purpose: to build a rescue center to care for and rehabilitate
wild animals that were being confiscated on the black market
by the Guatemalan Government. Since its establishment, the ARCAS
Rescue Center has grown into one of the largest and most complex
rescue centers in the world, recieving between 300 to 600 of
more than 35 species per year.
Volunteers contribute
technical expertise to ARCAS´s conservation projects as
well as contributing to their financial self sufficiency while
themselves gaining valuable work experience and an insight into
Guatemalan culture. The majority of volunteers are foreign,
though ARCAS also hosts some domestic volunteers and interns.
Being a non profit,
voluntary organization, ARCAS doesn´t have the resources
of a larger international NGO: ARCAS volunteers are therefore
expected to be fairly independent and self-sufficient.
Eligibility:
No prior experience is required but ARCAS will put priority
on accepting volunteers with a background in marine biology,
ecology or prior work experience in environmental, educational
or development work..
Cost:
Volunteers are asked to pay US$50.00 per week to cover lodging
and other expenses and to contribute to the sustainability of
the Hawaii Project. ARCAS provides lodging, including bed, shower,
toilet, lockers and kitchen. Volunteers should bring their own
mosquito net and sheets. ARCAS can also arrange for home stays
with area families. Volunteers
are expected to cover their own travel expenses to the projects
as well as to take care of their own personal needs in terms
of visas, special diets, insurance etc.
Departure
Dates:
You can just “show up” in Hawaii, but they do
occasionally fill up, especially during the peak season of June
to August.
Contact:
ARCAS. See website at www.arcasguatemala.com
for specific contacts and, if you are in the area, instructions
on how to get there.
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