Caribbean Wildlife Centre - Belize - Volunteer reviews

Click here to go to the Belize Caribbean Wildlife Centre page

Tim – 2012

“How’s life at the centre? Am having a great time thanks, although not sure I would ever get used to this heat haha! The staff have been really friendly and have been keeping me busy at the zoo. Thanks for all your help.

I spent two weeks at The Caribbean Wildlife Centre and had a wonderful time. Before I left PoD (Erin) was extremely helpful and was able to answer all the questions I had and they provided me with enough information so I knew what would be expected of me when I arrived in Belize.

The keepers and other staff were very welcoming and seemed to appreciate the help I was able to offer. During my time there I got to prepare food and to feed animals, such as Spider Monkeys, Tapirs, Coatimundis, Jaguars and all sorts of birds, as well as many others. I was given the opportunity to hold Balboa the Boa Constrictor, who was used to welcome visitors to the zoo. I also got to hand feed Panama, the Harpy Eagle, the Mackaws and Lizzie, the Neotropical River Otter. I helped clean and repair enclosures, some of which still had the animals in. You could get right next to some of the animals, such as the Tapirs, which provided great photo opportunities. The zoo does not buy animals to fill their enclosures. Animals are donated or found, and are often injured or orphaned. Many animals were once pets and are fairly used to people, so you are able to get very close to a lot of them.

During my time at zoo I learnt a lot about the animals of Belize and what is being done in Belize with regards to animal conservation. It is clear to see that the keepers and the other staff at the zoo care a great deal about the animals in the zoo and the animals of Belize.

Typical day: Every day would start with the walk (or cycle) to the zoo, through an amazing and beautiful landscape. Once you arrive at the zoo it was time to start preparing food for the animals. You then get to go round the zoo and feed some of the amazing animals they have. The animals you prepare food for would often change from one day to the next, in order to give you a chance to experience feeding all the animals they have. Whilst feeding the animals you would also help clean out the enclosures and make sure the animals have fresh drinking water.

Once the animals have been fed and they enclosures have been cleaned you would often then go and welcome visitors to the zoo with Balboa the Boa Constrictor and give people the chance to hold her with they wanted to (this provides a great photo opportunity for you and visitors). After lunch, it's back to preparing and feeding the animals. Throughout the day you are given the chance to spend time with all the animals, often inside their enclosures with them. You will also get the chance to help hand feed some of the animals, such as Panama the Harpy Eagle, Lizzie the Neotropical River Otter and the Mackaws. Once all the animals have been fed and cleaned it is home time and the walk (cycle) back to the volunteer house.

Most rewarding part of the project: Getting the chance to work so closely with the amazing animals they had at the zoo and having the chance to interact with them.

Most challenging part of the project: It is hard work and you are expected to pull your weight. They understand this is a holiday and an experience for you but you need to put the effort in. I think doing this will mean you get more from the experience.

What advice would you give to others consider this project? While it may be a holiday I would suggest you do put the effort in and work hard while you are at the zoo. Doing this will mean you get to see and do more and would really increase your chances of experiencing something you will never forget.

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? You get to do and see things you wouldn't in the UK. You get to experience another culture and community. And if it is an animal based project like the one in Belize then you get to encounter animals you would not often see in the UK and you have the chance to get really close to them.

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others? PoD provided the opportunity for me to do something different. I did a similar thing in Africa last year but wanted to experience something different. I had not seen any other wildlife conservation volunteer programmes anywhere else. I had an amazing time and appreciate the continued support I received from PoD and would recommend them.”

Katie – 2012

“This experience was great! It taught me many things, above all about the animals that are in Belize, and the conservation work that these people do for the animals. It was such a beautiful and natural place. The work environment is very slow paced, which is very nice because the climate is warm and humid. The people are wonderful at the Zoo, everyone is friendly and devoted to the animals there. I would definitely recommend doing this volunteer program. I had a blast and it will be a memory that lasts with me for a lifetime.

Typical day: You wake up, get ready for the day. Around 8:15 you ride your bike that they provide to you and ride a mile to the Zoo. You do food prep in the morning, and then get to feed the animals and then you might do some maintenance, or you go to the front and play with the boa constrictor (Balboa) that the tourists will take pictures with (which I did often, and she is very friendly). You eat lunch around 1:30, and then after that you do the night food prep for the animals, and then go and feed all of them and then just follow the Zookeepers around until 5pm and then ride your bike back to your room. Then relax for the rest of the night! Or they have night tours at the zoo, and you can go with groups and maybe even give a tour while you’re there.

Most rewarding part of the project: When the animals trust you and they come up to you and want you to scratch/pet them. Also learning about the conservation work they do and that I was a part of for a month!

Most challenging part of the project: Oh the job wasn’t challenging at all, the bike ride however, from your room to the zoo, is slightly uphill, and I’m not fit at all! But on the way home after a long day in the sun, pedalling with no ease and the breeze going through your hair is very pleasing.

What advice would you give to others consider this project? Bring a lot of bug spray! Maybe even a mosquito net for your bed. Also it is slow paced, so don’t rush because if you’re not used to the weather, you get heat headaches. I'm from a place where everything is fast paced, and in Belize, there is no need to be fast paced, because everyone takes it easy.

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad? To learn about the culture is so interesting to me, and that’s one reason to volunteer abroad. There are so many reasons to go abroad, I guess it just depends on the person who you are and what you’re interested in. It is a great thing to put on a resume as well.

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others? The website and information given from other people made it sound great. So I decided to go with PoD. I would recommend PoD.”

Olly - 2011

“My time at Belize Caribbean Wildlife Centre was very eye opening. This was the first time I had been out of Europe and the way of life in Belize is like a whole new world! I was looked after very well by all the staff starting as soon as I got to the airport, who were very friendly and fun to be with. I never felt lonely at any point and had a few nights out with the zoo staff at weekends and got to know them really well. At the zoo I was always busy, preparing food, feeding and spending time with the animals. I even witnessed a baby Tapir being born and one of my jobs was to monitor the baby. It was great being able to get so close to all of the animals as it is very difficult to get a job close to animals in the UK without qualifications. I had chance to travel around the country after my placement which I would really recommend to anyone, the country is beautiful and lots of things to do. I am still in contact with the staff at the zoo and also another volunteer who was there at the same time, and we are planning to return next year! Thanks PoD!”

Please describe a typical day at the project
“Prepare food for the animals (either mammals or birds), clean out enclosures, pools and make sure they have water. Spend time with some of the animals that need attention throughout the day. After lunch we prepare food for the afternoon and assist with any tours throughout the day, including holding the snake!”

What did you find most rewarding?
The most rewarding part was when the baby Tapir was born, it is very rare anywhere in the world that a baby Tapir is born in captivity so I was very lucky to be there at the right time.

What did you find most challenging?
“Belize gets very hot, In my second week the weather went into the dry season which means it will probably not rain for 3-4 months! So as you can imagine it got very hot and humid. Working in these conditions is difficult but I never felt like I didn't enjoy it.”

Were there any aspects of the placement which you would like to see improved?
“Not that I can think of!”

What advice would you give others considering doing this placement?
“Get into contact with someone previously been to the zoo on a placement, I was lucky enough to speak to a previous volunteer and got a lot of information about the zoo before I arrived.”

Why do you think others should volunteer abroad?
“If you have the opportunity I would recommend it, it can be treated as a nice get away and also a very rewarding time, also looks good on a CV!”

Why did you choose PoD and would you recommend us to others?
“After researching various companies on the internet PoD seemed the best for knowing where the money was going and being well looked after, very organised.”

Any other comments?
“All the staff at the zoo work very hard and the work they do there is great! I really want to go back and I’m sure I will!”

Charlie - 2010

"Belize is a beautiful country, and I found the experience thoroughly enjoyable! The weather is amazing, and the placement at the zoo is rewarding, with opportunities for personal development and also for the development of the zoo. During my time at the zoo I built animal enclosures, assisted the zoo vet, and hand reared several species of animal One thing I will add though is, be sure to bring rubber boots, some of the tracks and pathways in the zoo and around the country can get very waterlogged very quickly. I'd recommend this project to everyone, and hope to go back there next year!"

Please describe a typical day at the project
"Get up & have breakfast- 6.30-7; Get to the zoo for 8, Briefing for the day's work from the keepers, Food chop (preparing the breakfast round), Feeding round, Various other tasks, Animal husbandry, Break for lunch, Afternoon food chop, Feeding round, Other housekeeping tasks, and then off home!"

What did you find most rewarding?
"Being able to offer an insight as to how UK zoos work, and to learn other methods and techniques."

What did you find most challenging?
"Humidity can get a little too much during the middle of the day - being the only male intern meant a lot of lifting too!"

Sarah - 2010

"The Belize Zoo was an unbelievable experience. The zoo and the animals and everybody we met were all amazing. At the zoo we helped the zookeeper's with their duties, from feeding to cage cleaning (and building!) to caring for orphan animal babies. The animals and the zoo life was so interesting, and I was working with animals that I have never even heard of. It was so much fun getting to know the locals and other volunteers. I definately made friends for a life-time and still keep in touch with everyone I met during my stay. The country of Belize is incredibly beautiful. We experienced both the jungle life as well as the island life, and visited some amazing Mayan Ruins. The most amazing trip of my life.

A typical day:
Ride our bikes to the zoo (about a 10min bike ride down the road) where we help the zookeepers with their duties - cleaning cages, preparing food, feeding, building cages, and caring for orphan animal babies.

It's an incredible experience being able to go to a country and not just tour it. Going on a volunteer trip enables you to help the country and be a part of the country and the culture.

I chose PoD because it seemed like a great company. Even after just enquiring and looking for information the staff were wonderful."

Victoria - 2010

"AMAZING experience!... This was definitely one of the best, most rewarding experiences of my life! Learned so much about both the native wildlife and the culture. I made a lot of lifelong friends while inspiring enthusiasm for animals and conservation in the local children, and really felt that I belonged in the country. Everyone was very warm and welcoming and it was hard to leave.

A typical day:
Wake up at 6, eat breakfast with the other volunteers, head off to the zoo, work hard in the mornings, have lunch with the volunteers and staff, work through the afternoon until 5 (although at a slower pace than the morning). Make our way back to the TEC together, shower, have dinner, and bum around and chat and try to get some emails out (if the internet was working) and make plans for the weekends until about 8 or 9, then head to bed.

I found learning about animals I had never even known existed, building relationships with the local staff at the zoo, and getting local children genuinely excited about the animals in their own backyard the most rewarding."

Susan – 2010

"The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Centre was a great choice for my time away. From what I saw the work with animals could be tough and hot but very rewarding. You should be prepared to get involved with cleaning and feeding and, if you have any previous animal care experience, this will be welcomed as staff are always open to learning new skills.

Accommodation is comfortable and staff at both sites are friendly and will take great care of you. Food is fresh and well prepared and cold drinks are available day and night. At certain times of the year, Mosquitoes can be a big problem so remember to pack plenty of insect repellent and after bite creams etc. Remember to take anti malaria tablets as instructed. If you want to explore further a field on days off, Belize has it all. From hiking in tropical rain forests to snorkelling on amazing coral reefs, there is something for everyone. I was lucky enough to do both and came away with greater awareness of the charm of the place and it's people. A great experience that will stay with me forever."

Lynn - 2010

"I spent a lot of time with Jamal who pulled together a lot of the promotional bits and pieces and helped him out on a couple of things using my Design background. I was also helping with the animals which I really enjoyed. There were some amazing animals and to be able to get so close and personal with them is great. They all have such good enclosures and are so well looked after by all the keepers, who you can tell really care for them and have their favourites.

I did feel a bit lost at first, not knowing what to do, but by the end of the week I had agreed Tues and Wednesdays I would be with the animals and the rest of the week painting or helping Jamal with things - a good mix really which let me experience everything. The remaining weeks working at the zoo were great fun - Especially as people got to know me a bit more. I also got to know more about all of them and ended up just getting on with jobs instead of being directed or needed being shown.

Aside from the actual work part of my trip it did take me that first week to get used to being out in Belize and to relax and feel comfortable there. I am used to rushing about and having a million things to do, so found it very strange taking my time and trying to take everything in. It was also so great to be able to take one of my hobbies and spend all my time completely focussed on it....I did so many paintings in 4 weeks I can’t believe it. I even did a long mural of all the animals on a roll of paper I had taken.

Weather - I say it was hot/humid, but all the keepers kept saying it was cold for the time of year! It was fine by me as it was!

On my last day at the zoo I was so overwhelmed by everyone there - they all went out of their way to give me a send off I won’t forget. All the Keepers stayed late (or was that because they were doing night tours) and they arranged for Beers, Salsa, dips and a big cake to say good bye and thank you. Some of them said a few words which were really nice and made me feel like I had really helped them. All the people there were really nice, and helpful and made me feel very welcome. I got the feeling that they all looked out for me as well, made sure I was happy and couldn’t do enough for me!

PoD have really helped me find 2 great experiences now, and the fact that you ask for feedback and email/call to check up on me is really good. I feel that you are there if I needed you - but thankfully I didn’t!"

Click here to go to the Belize Caribbean Wildlife Centre page

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