Oriol in Bolivia: "Before, I was always stressed. Now: no!
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| Oriol during his stay in Bolivia. |
Since he was little, Oriol has always been a passionate about nature. Now he has decided to do everything he can to help protect it. He is studying Environmental Biology in Barcelona. And last year, he collaborated as a volunteer in the Bolivian Tumaini. That was his experience!
Why did you want to take a trip with rescued wildlife?
Since childhood, my interest and love for nature has been growing. That's why I want to do everything possible to help conserve the nature of our planet.
What have you learned in this project?
A lot of things! From how to work with animals to how to fight a fire. In addition to other things like: living in a community, traveling the world and getting to know a new culture.
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| Oriol met several volunteers at the . |
What animals did you collaborate with?
With Yuma (a puma), Yaguaru (a jaguar) and Francis (a night monkey)
What was a day in the project like?
I tell you for hours 🙂
- 6:30 a.m.: Scott would wake us up with his 80's music.
- 7 a.m.: the morning chores began: cleaning the bathrooms, feeding some of the animals, preparing breakfast, etc.
- 8 a.m.: we had breakfast
- 9 a.m.: I was preparing to go for a walk with Yuma (a cougar) together with Mike, another volunteer. We would go walking through the jungle all morning and after the walk we would clean its cage and feed it.
- 12:30 p.m.: We went back to camp to eat.
- 2 p.m. He left the camp to go see Yaguaru (a jaguar). She would spend the whole afternoon alone with him going around his cage wrapping his food in patujú (tropical flowers) and lianas and hiding it in his cage.
- 6:00 p.m. Two volunteers and I were going to see the night monkeys.
- 7:00 p.m. We returned to the camp for dinner.
- After dinner: we had free time! Some days, when I was exhausted, I would go to bed at 8:30 p.m. Others stayed in the dining room playing and chatting with other volunteers.
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| The environment is spectacular and full of life. |
Can you tell us an anecdote?
While you work with your animals or when you walk through the jungle to return to the camp, you come across a lot of wildlife. You see a lot of monkeys, armadillos, pigs, koati and many more!
How was your relationship with the rest of the volunteers?
Very good. Among all the volunteers and members of the "staff" there was a very good vibe and we had a lot of fun.
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| Volunteers near the . |
What recommendations would you give to someone who wants to do this volunteering?
Put your worries aside and let yourself go.
How has this trip changed your life?
In my way of seeing life and living it. Before this trip, I was always stressed everywhere, wondering if what I was doing was right, if I left something important behind... Not now!
Oriol collaborated in the from July to September 2018.