Location
  • Ecuador
    • Amazon
Term
Summer
Subject Areas
Animal Science Biology Conservation and Preservation Wildlife Sciences

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Housing
Dormitory

Pricing

Starting Price
$3,950 USD
Price Details
Price is all-inclusive less airfare.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Classes Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare
Sep 12, 2019
Sep 01, 2019

About Program

Venture into the Amazon rainforest to spend two weeks at amaZOOnico, a wildlife rescue center, where you'll get to learn more about the animals of the Amazon and assist in their care. This includes creating enrichments for monkeys, assisting in spay and neuter clinics, and providing care for coatis, toucans, tapirs, and other Amazonian animals. During your time in Ecuador, you'll also get the opportunity to explore popular sites such as Quito and Tena.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Enjoy leisure time by spending a weekend rafting and caving in Tena
  • Visit the capital city of Quito, including the Mitad del Mundo
  • Design and implement enrichment projects for amaZOOnico animals
  • Provide free medical care for cats and dogs
  • Work alongside veterinarians to provide care for animals at the rescue center

Program Reviews

9.6 Rating
based on 5 reviews
  • 9-10 rating 100%
  • 7-8 rating 0%
  • 5-6 rating 0%
  • 3-4 rating 0%
  • 1-2 rating 0%
  • Academics 8
  • Support 9.6
  • Fun 9.4
  • Housing 9
  • Safety 9.4
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Default avatar
Kylie
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazon Veterinary Service

My trip to Ecuador with Loop Abroad was an amazing. Waking up in the Amazon and having wild squirrel monkeys follow you on your walk to Amazoonico every morning is something you won't experience anywhere else. We had the opportunity to work on ethograms and implement enrichments for macaws and spider monkeys, observe physical exams on a squirrel monkey and a coati, and evaluate and microchip tortoises for release. We also performed a necropsy on a capuchin monkey and a venemous equis snake. Working with the staff from Amazoonico was a lot of fun, we learned a lot about how veterinary medicine and wildlife conservation works in a foreign country firsthand. We also went into the local town and put on a two day vet clinic for their pets which was a very rewarding experience. And, we had time to do some tourist activities like sight see in historic Quito and go white water rafting!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Dessert one night was a semi sweet peeled tree tomato!
7 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mary Beth
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Life in the Jungle

You will have to trek from the lodging and lecture site at Runa Wasi through the jungle to Amazoonico. It is maybe a 10-15 minute walk but it is totally worth it. Plus splashing through the mud can be pretty fun :) The Amazoonico staff was awesome and I learned so much about rehabilitating and releasing animals. We were even lucky enough to observe a release of many turtles, some of which were endangered. I felt really honored to be apart of their project. On the weekend we spent in Tena, I had the best time white water rafting, caving, and doing unique experiments that only can be done on the equator! We also did a city tour and learned lots of history, visited cool landscapes, and were immersed in Quito culture. This program is definitely for the adventurous!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Definitely wear pants!! There are a lot of bugs- which is expected in the Amazon Rainforest. But having pants really made all the difference. Something light weight like scrub pants, linen pants, or leggings. Also a rain coat and tall rain boots are a must!
7 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Morgan
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Informational and Immersive

This program was a great way to learn about the Amazon and the problems it’s facing, the animals are facing, and the people who live off the rainforest. We were able to help the vets at Amazoonico and learn about native animals to the forest. We helped with rounds, learned about native animals, learned spanish, and had a ton of fun. There’s a lot of hiking, so be prepared for that. Also everything gets dirty, so bring clothes that you don’t mind ruining. I loved learning about the culture and you get plenty of it. We went rafting, learned vet skills, tours the city, ate all the food, and danced a ton. We all bonded with each other a lot and I had so much fun meeting everyone from all over the country and world. I loved seeing all the animals and learning how I can help.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Bring rain boots!! There’s very deep mud so don’t be afraid to get dirty and hike a lot.
7 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Maggie
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazon Vet Program

This program was a once in a lifetime experience! Not only did we learn a ton about the animals of the rainforest and the conservation work, but also got to participate in the work that the rescue was doing. This isn't the most hands on program due to wanting the animals to not be humanized, but that is the point in order to release the animals. The rescue workers are so nice and willing to help us not only learn but get involved too. Amazoonico does amazing work and getting to participate in the release of the turtles and the necropsies of the monkeys that died unexpectedly was an amazing experience. Getting to stay in the hostel run by the indigenous community was very fun because we were able to learn about another culture and interact with the children and people in order to learn more about their culture.

What would you improve about this program?
I would love for this program to be more hands on and for students to have the schedule at the beginning of program.
8 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Brittney
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Loop Abroad Amazon Veterinary Service Trip 2019

This was my third trip with Loop Abroad, my first being in 2017. I had a blast, loop abroad is great at making you feel safe if you’re traveling by yourself or a first time traveler. I find the trips both very fun and a great learning experience! Both the program staff and location staff are super friendly! This location is great for people interested in both the conservation side and clinical side of the veterinary field. Loop abroad is a great program for making friends while traveling. I loved the white river rafting, it was so much fun! You also get to vistit a local chocolate plantation that is about a 15minute caneo ride from runa wasi, you get to watch and learn how chocolate is made. The best part is getting to try the freshly made chocolate afterwards!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
For the Ecuador program I recommend high length gumboots and bug spray with a higher deet %
7 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers