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Whale and Puma Conservation in Patagonia, Argentina

Live and work in a Patagonian wildlife reserve and contribute to the conservation of unique ecosystems

Destination

Argentina

Age

16+ y/o

Minimum Stay

1 week

Start Date

Anytime

Accommodation

Lodge

Requirements

Maximum duration 6 weeks

What’s Included

24/7 Support

Round-the-clock support on the ground and 24/7 back up from our global teams.

Accommodation & Amenities

Clean, safe, and welcoming accommodation. A home away from home with comfortable amenities.

Activities, Training & Equipment

All programme activities and equipment, including training and workshops from experienced professionals.

Certification

Certified record of service hours, workshops, and activities for your CV.

Request Info

Starting at £2,070 for 1 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Conduct seasonal wildlife surveys

Count sea lions and southern right whales, gather data on population changes, and contribute to understanding their behavior in Patagonia.

Track puma populations

Set camera traps, follow animal tracks, and observe behavior, aiding research on these key Patagonian species in their natural habitat.

Learn native land cultivation

Acquire skills in eco-friendly construction, build a herbarium, and learn to cook local dishes, experiencing traditional Patagonian practices.

Contribute to habitat restoration

Assist with facility maintenance, trail upkeep, and flora assessments, supporting the preservation of the unique Patagonian coastal steppe.

Explore Patagonia’s natural wonders

Visit stunning scenery, observe penguins and orcas, and dive with sea lions — experience the diverse wildlife of Argentina in your free time.

What you need to know

Overview

Are you passionate about protecting our planet? Would you like to live in one of the most fascinating ecosystems in the world? Then this is the perfect project for you!

It’s well-suited to anyone that loves the outdoors and has a passion for nature. You’ll be working with experienced environmentalists and monitoring fascinating species, including whales and pumas.

It’s also a good choice if you’re planning a career in conservation. You will add experience to your CV and have plenty to talk about in future job interviews. In addition, being actively involved will demonstrate your commitment to conservation work and you’ll be able to learn directly from environmentalists.

You don’t need experience to join. We will teach you everything you need and the Projects Abroad team will support you whenever you need it.

Our Conservation Volunteering in Patagonia takes place all year round and you can join at any time.

A Day in the Life

You will start your day sharing a breakfast with the conservation team, where the activities for the day will be planned, depending on the time of year.

Volunteer hours may vary depending on the activity, and generally last 4 hours a day. You could spend the morning taking part in a Sea Lion or Whale Census. At other times of the year you might be helping set up camera traps to record the movements of the local puma population. Whatever the time of year, there is plenty of work to be done!

After lunch you will be able to enjoy your free time taking walks on the beach or the steppe, taking photographic safaris, horseback riding or bird watching.

You will have free weekends, where you can choose between staying in the refuge or spending time in the city and its surroundings. This will allow you to visit other nearby protected areas and learn more about Patagonian culture.

Aims & Impact

The objective of this project is to conserve and preserve the unique and abundant flora and fauna of the coastal steppe of Patagonia. We strive to achieve this goal through hands-on activities and research.

Many of the indigenous species are under threat due to invasive species that have been introduced. Many plants and animals in this ecosystem are unique, so protecting them is essential. By participating in our project you will contribute to their protection and help them to survive.

“La Esperanza” also needs all the help you can give. The park is understaffed and environmentalists need support to carry out the necessary monitoring and research activities.

We also seek to make a greater impact through our conservation education program. By teaching children and local communities the importance of environmental conservation, we hope to involve more people in our efforts.

We work on three long-term goals in this project:

Promote the restoration of natural habitats
Protect local wildlife
Raise awareness in the local community about the importance of protecting the environment

Join as an environmental volunteer in Patagonia and help us preserve and protect nature!

Activities

During your volunteering trip, you’ll help a conservation team carry out the following tasks:

Take part in seasonal censuses of Sea Lion and Southern Right Whale populations

Study the local population of Pumas and Guanacos

Learn native land cultivation and building techniques

This work will include:

Take part in seasonal censuses of Sea Lion and Southern Right Whale populations

From January to May each year, we carry out a Sea Lion Census. This involves counting the sea lions that form the refuge’s “wolf house”. A weekly census is carried out, which allows us to study the colony. This provides vital information on structural and behavioural changes of the group and its individuals.

From June to December, we also work on a Southern Right Whale Census. Every year the coasts of the refuge and its surroundings see the southern right whales arrive during the breeding and calving season. We take the opportunity to observe, record and study them. A weekly census is conducted from the coast. During the season, the whales are a few meters from the coast and we can marvel at their majesty up close!

Study the local population of Pumas and Guanacos

Throughout the year, you’ll help follow the local puma population using tracks and camera traps. It’s an incredible opportunity to study the largest predator in Patagonia.

You’ll also study the population of guanaco. These are the most representative mammals of the Patagonian Steppe. You will have the opportunity to meet them throughout the year, observe their behaviour and carry out population counts.

Learn native land cultivation and building techniques

You will also have the opportunity to learn to cultivate the land and take care of animals. We’ll also teach you to build with natural material and eco-friendly construction techniques.

The local staff will guide you in building your own Patagonian herbarium, and even teach you to cook typical dishes of the region.

Finally, you’ll learn more about wild flora and help with regular assessment, as well as maintenance of the facilities, hides and trails of the refuge.

Map & Location

Home of the tango, yerba mate, and Gaucho culture, Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world. From Andean peaks to Patagonian glaciers and incredible waterfalls, you’ll never run out of stunning sights and places to explore.

While Spanish is the official language, there is a strong Italian influence, reflecting its European heritage. Considered one of the safest counties in Latin America, Argentina offers adventure in abundance.

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is a picturesque, coastal city with about 100,000 residents in northern Patagonia, originally founded by Welsh immigrants. Our wildlife refuge is located an hour and a half north of the city.

It is famous for its beautiful waterfront, penguin population, and Southern Right Whale sightings. You might even see orcas breaching the waves to feed on seals! It has a cold desert climate, resulting in comfortable temperatures year-round and very little rainfall.

Food & Accommodation

Your needs are covered for your Argentinian adventure. With us, you’ll have a comfortable place to sleep, three meals a day, fresh drinking water, and we’ll also handle your daily commute to your placement.

You’ll stay in shared accommodation with other volunteers, which is the ideal environment to forge bonds and build your network of new international friends.

While we can’t guarantee it will be “five-star luxury,” we can promise that it will be clean, safe, and comfortable, with meals prepared for you that give a glance into the local culture. You’ll be close to the action as an active participant in genuine conservation work.

You’ll have Wi-Fi and all the amenities you need, allowing you to rest, relax, and recharge after a long day of whale watching and puma protecting.

Free Time and Leisure

This project is located on the north coast of Patagonia; a perfect place to explore the natural beauties of the region. You’ll have weekends free, which means that you’ll have plenty of time to travel further afield.

It’s worth making a visit to Peninsula Valdés, a World Heritage Site, where you can observe whales, penguins and orcas in their natural environment. You will also be able to visit the Punta Tombo Reserve, a colony of more than a million penguins.

Make sure not to miss out on diving! Puerto Madryn is the national capital of diving and you can swim with sea lion pups and explore sunken ships. The city has a wide variety of restaurants and museums for your days off.

You can also make excursions to the Chubut River Valley to learn about the culture of the local Welsh colony and visit the foremost paleontological museum in the country.

The best thing about joining our projects is that you can meet other volunteers and interns, so you can explore on your own or together with a group of your new friends.

Your Arrival Made Easy

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Argentina Arrival Procedures page.