Great green macaw conservation in the Caribbean Coast

Name: Great green macaw conservation in the Caribbean Coast
Start: 2024-06-05
End: 2025-06-05
Location: Manzanillo, Costa Rica

Code: e194eb70-2319-11ef-9f59-fa163ef8d720 Copied

Costa Rica Culture Education Environment Culture Education +1 Fixed dates

About the project

📝 Detailed information

🏢 About the local organisation

Ara Manzanillo’s is a non-profit dedicated to re-
introduce the critically endangered Great Green
Macaws to the Sur Caribbean in Manzanillo, Costa
Rica. Our four pillars at Ara Manzanillo are to:
I. Reintroduce a wild, self-sustaining Ara
population,
II. Engage the local community & schools,
III. Reforest the Ara’s habitat/ food source,
IV. Form international partnerships to
protect/ conserve Ara’s around the
globe.

Joining our team offers nature lovers and
conservation enthusiasts a remarkable chance to
immerse themselves in the world of species
reintroduction, live within a jungle refuge nearby
scenic beaches, and closely engage with some of
Earth’s most stunning and charismatic birds.

💼 What the programme involves

Tasks :

 Manage the released population of Great Green Macaws.

 Maintain supplemental feeders located in
surrounding forest.
 Monitor the released birds and offspring.
Depending on the season, may include:
 Walking the forest at dawn/ dusk to monitor
nest sites.
o Climbing trees to conduct nest checks.
o Providing supplemental feeding to
chicks in nests.

 Forage for natural foods (nuts and seeds).
 Assist with daily site visitation and provide
tours.
 General maintenance of the station.
 Support of community education and
outreach.
 Feed and care for chicks or injured bird inside
the aviary (when required).

Working schedule:

5 ½ days per week, ~8am - 4 pm
High season: October – April
Low season: May – September

🏠 Accommodation on site

Ara Manzanillo provides housing on-site at the
release station. You will share a fully equipped

cabin with up to two other people.
Accommodations are basic, though set with
essentials: cooking utensils, bedding, bath towels,
mosquito nets, washing machine, and an open-air
porch – volunteers’ favorite room of the house.

🍲 Food

Basic food staples (rice, beans, sugar, etc.) are
provided by the station. A special diet is generally
not a problem. The staple food in Costa Rica is
easily adapted to suit most diets: vegetarian,
vegan, lactose free and even celiac diets can be
accommodated.

📍 About the location

Ara Manzanillo is in Manzanillo, Límon Province,
Costa Rica. Joining our team offers nature lovers
and conservation enthusiasts a remarkable chance
to immerse themselves in the world of species
reintroduction, live within a jungle refuge nearby
scenic beaches, and closely engage with some of
Earth’s most stunning and charismatic birds.
Puerto Viejo is the closest town, 12 km down the
road. While there is a lot to see and do in Puerto,
we seek volunteers who enjoy nature and the
solitude at times of forest living, as town is a long
and at times dangerous bike ride in the dark.
Volunteers should be comfortable living
somewhat off the grid, taking in the beauty of the
surrounds.

⚠️ Requirements

 Minimum 18 years old.
 Highly motivated.
 Physically and mentally healthy.
 Has a passion for wildlife, ecology, nature,.
 Enjoys living emersed in nature (provided
housing is -in- the jungle).
 A background in biology, ecology, animal
husbandry and veterinary medicine or like
fields are encouraged, however not required.
 Is willing and able to work in a variety of
weather. The tropics swing between HOT and WET days. Please be prepared to work in a
range of conditions, at times buggy and sweaty.

What to bring :

 Closed toe shoes (lightweight hiking or walking shoes with treads)
 Sandals (waterproof)
 Rubber boots (available at station)
 Sunscreen and insect repellent (also locally
available)
 Waterproof rain jacket or poncho (especially
during rainy season)
 Dry bag or backpack
 Informal warm weather work clothes – (shorts and tops that can get dirty) Laundry is available on site, so try your best to travel light! We supply uniform t-shirts.
 Long, light-weight field pants and long-sleeved shirt.
 Sweatshirt, sweater, light sweatpants (can get chilly at night!)
 A few pieces of nicer clothing for special occasions
 Swimwear, hat, and sunglasses
 Prescription drugs (if needed)
 Beach towel
 Bed sheets/ pillow (optional - provided at
station)
 Camera/phone/ tablet (adaptor cable for 110v
US outlets)
 Binoculars (also at station)
 Flashlight/head lamp
 Entertainment (games, books or art)
 Ear plugs!

ℹ️ Additional information

Final investment for 4 weeks $750 USD
Every extra week $125 USD

Volunteers are required to have travel insurance. We always have a First-Aid kit in the station for emergency. If in dire circumstances, the nearest hospital is in Cocles, a 15 minute drive from the station.

High season consists of GGM’s breeding season, conducting nest checks (climbing tree to see how eggs/ chicks progress), providing multiple tours a day, as well as conducting general station
maintenance.
Low season is preparation for breeding season (installing & cleaning nest boxes), providing daily
tours, station maintenance and cleaning, and other laborious projects.
Volunteers receive a day and a half free each week, though can be bumped to two days per week for long-term volunteers. Vacation time is to be discussed in advance to find coverage.

Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.