Volunteering a this fantastic park offers an opportunity to contribute to wildlife conservation while experiencing the natural beauty of the Basque Country. Located 40 min away from Bilbao is a wildlife refuge that provides a home for rescued animals, many of which cannot return to the wild due to permanent injuries or other circumstances.
The programme focuses on supporting the daily activities of the refuge, learning about animal welfare, and developing a greater understanding of biodiversity and environmental conservation.
Depending on the centre’s needs, volunteers may help with gardening, maintaining outdoor areas, keeping paths and shared spaces tidy, and carrying out other practical tasks around the refuge. Any activities involving animal care would be assigned and supervised by the Park team, according to the volunteer’s experience and the centre’s requirements.
Volunteers can also learn about the animals living there, the challenges facing endangered wildlife, and the importance of protecting natural habitats. The experience provides an opportunity to develop teamwork, responsibility, practical skills, and environmental awareness.
In addition, volunteers can practise their Spanish through everyday conversations with staff and other local people. This provides a natural and engaging way to improve language skills while discovering culture and life in a rural setting.
It covers more than 60,000 square metres of meadows and woodland and provides a home for rescued wildlife, including animals that cannot be returned to their natural habitats.
The refuge is home to a variety of mammals and birds, including native species and animals that once lived in the region but are no longer found in the wild there.
1. Mammals Native to the Region
- Roe deer
- Red deer
- Fallow deer
- Wild boar
- Red foxes
- European badgers
- European wildcats
- Genets
2. Endangered and Historically Native Species
- European wolves
- Eurasian lynx
- European bison
These species are particularly interesting because wolves, lynx, and bison once inhabited the forests here but disappeared from the region.
3. Birds of Prey
This park is also home to different birds of prey, which are important for maintaining ecological balance. These include various raptors and owls.
4. Other Wildlife
The surrounding area is rich in biodiversity, and the refuge provides opportunities to learn about local wildlife, migratory birds, animal habitats, and conservation
