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24-HOUR WILDLIFE RESCUE PHONE NUMBER : +30 697 679 7070
Become a Volunteer
Become a volunteer and help rescue, rehabilitate and release wild animals on Naxos island
The Association of Naxos Wildlife Protection is a group of volunteers based on the island of Naxos, Greece, where we operate a Wildlife Rescue & First Aid Care Station. We receive and rescue wild animals in need of help (injured, sick or trapped), transfer them to our station and rehabilitate them until they are fit for release.
Additionally, we run other projects year-round depending on the season. Find out about some of them below.
Volunteers are accepted all year round.
Requirements
- Minimum age of 18 years.
- Personal health insurance coverage
- Commitment to a minimum duration of 15 days
Reintegration of a juvenile Griffon Vulture. 
Ensuring the loggerhead hatchling reaches the sea safely. 
Protecting sea turtle nests. 
Watching one of the many wonders of nature! The birth of a loggerhead turtle. 
Two of our members preparing for a snorkel trip for sea turtle observation on Naxos island. 
Preparing for the release of a rehabilitated Griffon Vulture. 
Releasing a Common Buzzard after rehabilitation. 
During the release of a rehabilitated sea turtle , a volunteer will remain with the individual to ensure it behaves naturally and the reintegration runs smoothly. 
Assisting in the rehabilitation of wild animals such as sea turtles. 
Raising public awareness during public releases of rehabilitated wild animals. 
The most rewarding moment: releasing an animal that was given a second chance in life! 
Assisting in taking care of wild birds in our aviaries. 
School presentations: teaching the new generation about respecting and protecting the wildlife! 
Part of our facilities where we hospitalize sick/injured sea turtles in Naxos town.
We want to inform you that volunteering in a wildlife rehabilitation center requires responsibility.
Your participation could be involved in all aspects of animal care, which includes getting dirty and getting wet!
You need to be in good general health.
No knowldege or experience in wildlife rehabilitation is required.
If you reside or live on Naxos island for a long period of time, we’re always looking for volunteers who can assist in Naxos Wildlife Protection’s work. Please contact us at +30 697 6797070 or naxos.wildlife@gmail.com.
The role of the volunteer
At the First Aid Care Station:
- Admission of injured/sick wild animals
- Assisting in providing first aid care
- Cleaning and feeding the wild animals under care
- General cleaning and tidying up of the first aid station
At the aviaries:
- Assisting in cleaning and feeding the wild animals
- Assisting in maintenance of aviaries (i.e. building, gardening)
Sea turtle nesting period
In the summer months (June until September) the sea turtle nesting takes place on the beaches of the Cyclades. Our volunteers patrol the hotspot-areas for possible nesting in order to locate and protect them. When the eggs hatch, our volunteers will keep watch of the nests to ensure the sea turtle hatchlings reach the sea safely.
Public awareness
September to April, our volunteers make school presentations (applies for greek speaking volunteers) about the wildlife and nature of Naxos and during the summer months (June to September) various environmental awareness projects take place to inform the public about the wildlife and Naxos Wildlife Protection‘s work.
Field projects
Throughout the year, our volunteers observe and monitor the wildlife of Naxos. By spending time outdoors, we keep our eyes open for possible injured wild animals, for illegal human activities that could harm wildlife and their habitats and we observe previously released individuals collecting data for scientific research.
During the summer months, we spend time in the sea where we observe the resident and migratory sea turtles by doing identification, monitoring, tagging and collecting other data.
If you have your own camera, underwater camera, binoculars, drone (make sure you possess the required license for use of drone in Greece) or mask, snorkel and fins we urge you to bring them with you!
How to apply to become a volunteer for Naxos Wildlife Protection
- Send us an email at naxos.wildlife@gmail.com with the subject “Volunteering”.
- Attach a short CV with required information: your full name, date of birth, address, profession, contact information (email, phone number, address) and, if you have, any previous experience in wildlife conservation/rehabilitation volunteering.
- Include the exact dates you are interested in volunteering (minimum duration 15 days).
- You will soon receive a reply!
“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.”
-Plato
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Naxos Wildlife Protection 