From the moment I arrived, I was in awe of the magnificence of the monkeys and the Amazon jungle. Seeing the monkeys for the first time—and then getting to work with them closely over the next ten days—was truly more magical than I could have ever imagined.
Overall, my favorite part of the experience was getting to observe the monkeys on a daily basis—simply watching them be monkeys was such a privilege.
Other highlights from my experience included getting to help take care of the sweet, brilliant and mischievous baby monkeys—who absolutely stole my heart—sharing conversations over meals and learning from the incredible staff and volunteers, and sitting under the stars at night with the fireflies dancing in the trees and Pancha, a gray Woolly monkey, snuggled up in my lap.
Getting to help take care of these fascinating creatures and educate visitors about the project throughout my time on the island was profound and enriching. This experience taught me so much about the importance of conservation and the impact we can have when we come together to protect our planet’s wildlife.
Thank you so much to all of my incredible new friends, humans and monkeys alike, at La Isla de Los Monos for embracing me with open arms and allowing me to be a part of the project. I hope to continue supporting the amazing work being done here for many years to come!
