Dream fulfilled:

Viennese takes care of injured animals in Ecuador

Bojan Ferkovic (left) takes tourists on tours of the rescue center:

(Bild: SOS)

Bojan Ferkovic from Vienna has fulfilled his dream at the rescue center for animals in Ecuador.

"I wanted to travel somewhere where I could help and work with animals," says Bojan Ferkovic. He finally found what he was looking for in Ecuador, where restrictions on animal trade and husbandry were tightened a few years ago. The "amaZOOnico" animal rescue center, founded in 1993, is located around four hours southeast of the capital Quito, at the gateway to the Amazon rainforest. Macaws and other parrots, coatis, toucans, tortoises, tapirs, caimans and various species of monkeys are cared for on an area of around five hectares. They have been found injured, come from experimental laboratories or have been traded illegally.

The wildlife sanctuary is financed exclusively by donations. The facility also relies on the work of volunteers like Bojan Ferkovic. His working day starts at 7 am. He feeds the animals, checks their health and cleans the enclosures.

A mountain tapir at the rescue center

(Bild: SOS)

After the breakfast break at 9.30 a.m., guided tours with tourists or activities with the wild animals are on the agenda. "It's all about raising the cognitive level. The monkeys are the most demanding, while the turtles prefer to just swim. The toucans try to play with us, but we want to avoid that," reports the Viennese. Ultimately, the aim is to rehabilitate the animals in order to reintroduce them to their natural habitat. Reptiles are easier to release back into the wild Of the 3,500 or so animals that have been rehabilitated at the rescue center, 1,500 have already been released back into the wild. "Whether this is successful always depends on the species. It's almost impossible with monkeys, but easier with reptiles because they don't build up a relationship with humans," says the expert.

Parrots also feel at home in the rescue center.

(Bild: SOS)

After a second feeding tour and the necessary housework in the helpers' accommodation, Ferkovic calls it a day. "There is enough time to swim in the river, meet up with other volunteers or take part in the activities of the Kichwa, the indigenous population here."

The Viennese has now become accustomed to the many mosquito bites and the special soundscape in the rainforest. "The sounds of the birds, monkeys and frogs are always there. It's actually a really nice feeling when you wake up in the morning." The 28-year-old certainly wouldn't want to miss life off the beaten track.