amaZOOnico

AmaZOOnico is one of those places that matters.

I have been a volunteer and professional Animal Caretaker for a few years now, having spend a multiple periods of three months at various animal rehab centers. For me AmaZOOnico stands out in how they respect animals, how they work with volunteers and how they take care of the local communities.
Working at AmaZOOnico was amazing, I had chances to get educated by their inhouse Biologist about the rain forest, learn how to take care of animals and create my own stamp to leave behind. a lot of place will treat volunteers as free labor, I feel that AmaZOOnico wants you to create something to be proud of and will give you the liberty to do so if you act responsible.

The Project is distant from any big city, because you will live in the Amazon forest, but that creates a peacefulness you can't easily find.
The people of AmaZOOnico treat animals as animals. They realize that they need to be treated as wild animals and not as pets. This is not a ZOO even if it's in the name (the ZOO in amaZOOnico stands for Zoologic). This project wants to reduce the amount animals in captivity and take care of a forest that needs help.

I loved being at AmaZOOnico: being a tour guide, taking care of the animals that can't be released and having fun after and during work with the other volunteers. I have made memories and friends for life.

I spent time volunteering here after visiting with a school trip. The volunteers, owners and local workers were all very nice and made the work and time here enjoyable. I will go back if I have the opportunity again.

Such a great place to see animals, and definitely an ethical zoo. Most of the animals are rehabilitated and released back into the jungle.

Amazoonico is an amazing place, their care and attention for the not only the animals they aim to rehabilitate, but also the local wildlife around the centre is second to none, this place really does amazing work to help out animals that have suffered cruelty, and to give them a second chance, and shoutout to Daniel our tour guide who was really passionate about his work, and made the tour very enjoyable! I will be back for sure, and hope to volunteer their myself 🙌🏻🙌🏻

A special place hidden among the jungle for special animals needing a little extra care. The staff was knowledgeable and the grounds were gorgeous! They seem focused on ethical rehabilitation, prevention, and protection.

It's really sweet what this place is doing for the less fortunate animals & it's apparent that the animals are being cared for the best possible.
There are so many volunteers from various countries, which shouldn't be underestimated, in terms of awareness, education & social.

Wonderful organization that is a great sanctuary for wild animals in the Amazon. Important to note that it is not a zoo is a rescue center who chooses the animals very well and works to rehabilitate time. Period is worth a visit on any trip.!

An awesome place to visit and volunteer at. Everybody does their what they can to take the best care of the animals possible. Especially Sandra, the coordinator is very invested in taking every decision necessary to keep the center running.

Refuge for animals. Well maintained, clean and professional.

We visited the animal rescue zoo in the afternoon arriving by canoe. Our guide, Rafael, was a volunteer from Berlin and he was very knowledgeable of the animals. We toured the area and had detailed discussion and Q&A for each animal. The staff veterinarian happened by for a discussion of the challenges of rewilding monkeys.

In addition to the rescue animals, there were many wild monkeys and tortoises hanging around.

Great place to see many jungle animals up close with a English speaking guide!

An amazing place, the guide was super friendly and we thought it was great that they took care of these animals that are injured and that they saved from humans who are very harmful . We hope that when they fully recover they can return to the jungle. If you visit AmazOOnico, buy something at the souvenir shop to help the animals because they really needed.

Is not a zoo! Is a rescue and preservation of species from the jungle! The best way of preservation is to educate people! And here they make a really good job!

I was a volunteer here for a month and I loved my time in this centre. I met wonderful people, I worked hard for the animals but it was so rewarding ! If you apply, know that you will work a lot and the comfort is not the best. But you are in the middle of the amazonian forest, full of wildlife, you help traumatised animals, you enjoy little pleasures with other volunteers and for a moment you forget all the problems you had before. It was what I felt and I really want to come black one day :)

I was able to spend two months in amazoonico to actively support the rescue center in many different areas. I am very grateful for this experience and all the people I was able to meet. I have taken many great people into my heart and found great pleasure in working with animals. The experience is unique and you take so much with you! I can recommend it to anyone who wants to work with animals and is open to new things. I hope that many more animals can be rescued in the future so that the illegal animal trade stops soon. I would especially like to thank Sandra, the manager of Amazoonico, but also everyone who accompanied me. 🫶🏻🫶🏻

Not a zoo, but a friendly place to rehabilitate and release damaged animals. If necessary, this is the animals' new home should they not be capable of living again in the wild

I had an amazing time as a volunteer at Amazoonico. You get to work very closely and learn a lot about the native animals of the Amazonian rainforest. I myself got the incredible experience of helping to take care of an orphaned spider monkey. I also made great friends and we made experiences for life together. You also get to learn about the native community in the area and their traditions.
Being at Amazoonico is physically demanding, but very worth it and an experience I would recommend.

Amazing that there are people who care about the wildlife. Now in these difficult times this is what the (injured and endangered) species need. Besides a trip to amaZOOnico is very educational and interesting. My mom and I are very glad we took the opportunity to visit this rescue center. Plus the tour guide Daniel was very enthusiastic and friendly.

I volunteered in AmaZOOnico for a bit more than 2 months, and this experience has been incredible !
AmaZOOnico provides a shelter and love to the trafficked animals that has been rescued by the environmental ministry.
Everybody working here, including a lot of volunteers coming from all around the world, is here to give the best life possible to those rescued animals, and sometimes even to release them in the wild !
Furthermore, all the volunteers, who are all very knowledgable, are here to give tours and to sensibilize you to the terrible onsequences of wild animals traffic.
AmaZOOnico is definitely worth a visit, and if you really want to help saving the planet, I completely reommand you volunteering here, you won't regret it !! :)

I Love the work of this organization … they successfully helped thousands of animals over last 30 years and managed to release half of them back into the wild.

After a two month stay this was an incredible experiance .
We as Europeans can still learn a lot from the way of life and the philosophy of Amazoonico and the Kichwa people how to protect and save the rainforest . An experiance for life if you are willing to leave your confort zone for a while and live at the rhythm of nature in the rainforest and his inhabitants 👍🫶💪Ward