Rainforest Conservation: Wildlife Research & Animal Husbandry in the Amazon

My recent engagement with Hoja Nueva was intended to be an enlightening experience in learning about nature conservation, building connections, and contributing to meaningful work. Unfortunately, my time with the organization was damaged by deficient leadership, communication gaps, and several incidents that highlighted a lack of understanding and empathy.

Primarily, the owners seemed disinterested in the getting to know the paying volunteers and participants, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a disturbance than a welcome community.

Besides, they demonstrated a lack of communication skills, responding with bossiness and illogical refusals rather than treating participants as adults. This created an environment more reminiscent of a kindergarten than that of an organization focused on conservation and learning.

The summer camp program, initially promising, unfolded as a rigid school-like schedule. Opting out of any activity triggered subtle bullying and gossip (within earshot) from one of the owners, against those who sought quiet moments (like reading or watching the river) over constant participation.

Anecdotes shared among volunteers revealed widespread fear of one of the owners, even within her own team. It was evident that her leadership style fostered hierarchies, mood swings, and uncommunicated rules, including arbitrary control over electricity.

To name just a few, one of the owners's authoritarian and unprofessional behavior manifested in various situations:
Volleyball: During volleyball sessions one of the owners would be aggressive, exclude weaker players and show lack of sportsmanship. This not only created a competitive and unwelcoming atmosphere but also showcased her disregard for teamwork and preference for personal victories.
Gossiping and Subtle Bullying: Instead of addressing concerns directly, one of the owners resorted to talking behind peoples backs and making sarcastic comments.
Cup Incident: one of the owners would get angry over small things, such as someone mistakenly taking "her" cup.
Scratch in the Floor: During an incident where a volunteer attempted to rescue a cat, causing a scratch in the wooden floor, one of the owners reacted with anger rather than understanding.
These instances highlight a pattern of unprofessional behavior, demonstrating one of the owner's authoritarian leadership style and a tendency to handle situations with aggression rather than effective communication and understanding.

Interestingly, it was observed that the other owner seemed more relaxed and funnier whenever one of the owners was not around. This observation hinted at a notable shift in the organizational dynamics, with a more positive and enjoyable atmosphere emerging in the owner's absence.

There was a noticeable difference in how volunteers/participants and employees were treated. Volunteers and camp participants were eating in common areas, while employees stayed in the kitchen. Attempts to join employees in the kitchen were met with hostility, with no logical explanation provided (“because I say so”).

Adding to the complexity, the owners love for animals seemed to overshadow any consideration for the well-being of humans within the organization. This was particularly evident in the imposition of a specific lifestyle and diet on employees, regardless of their living arrangements and 24/7 availability, raising ethical concerns.

Furthermore, volunteers found themselves obligated (not invited) to participate in the ecology summer camp, even if their initial intention and payment were geared towards volunteer work rather than the camp. This unmet expectation added to the overall dissatisfaction and disillusionment experienced during my time at Hoja Nueva.

It is important to separate the actions of a few from the collective efforts of the entire team. The positive contributions made by employees and volunteers should be acknowledged, emphasizing their commitment to the organization's core values and objectives.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the activities provided, particularly during the summer camp, were engaging and intellectually stimulating for students interested in pursuing careers in biology, conservation and wildlife research.

Overall, I cannot recommend volunteering at Hoja Nueva nor participating in the Ecology Summer Camp, especially not for the price you’d have to pay (financially and psychologically).

I stayed at Hoja Nueva for two months doing a general internship. I decided to go there because they run a really vast variety of projects ranging from Herpetology and Mammal Ecology to the reintroduction of all kinds of animals. This gave me the absolutely perfect opportunity to figure out which area of biology I later want to specialise in! Next to this, I really love doing wildlife photography and staying at Hoja Nueva gave me plenty of opportunities to take macro shots of so many different species of reptiles, amphibians and other animals. Living in the jungle doing fieldwork pretty much every day I could gain so much invaluable experience that will come in really handy in the future.
I know, it’s such a cliche thing to say that volunteering abroad changed me but when you live in the jungle for a longer period of time, how can it not? Everything around you is alive! Animals, plants, fungi are all competing against each other and you can literally observe all of those different survival strategies (which can be absolutely insane sometimes!) and see how and why they have evolved. Seeing all of this happening and how everything in that system influences one another was unquestionably the most valuable thing that I could gain in the jungle! I came back home with a much better understanding of biology and how ecosystems work, which could never be acquired by reading tons of books or learning about it in lectures. You simply had to be there!
To be honest, one thing that I was a bit worried about before I got there was the living situation and what the people over there will be like. But now that I'm back, it’s one of the things I miss the most about this place! Everyone (including the cats and dogs!) was so welcoming and supportive from the minute I arrived and no questions that I had were left unanswered! Also, all the other interns were absolutely amazing people and how can it not be a great experience when you live in the middle of the rainforest with a bunch of biology nerds?
Overall, it was such an amazing experience and I had a really good time! I can’t wait to come back one day!
(And if you’re still thinking about whether you should go or not, just go for it! Trust me, it’s amazing!)

Working at hoja nueva was a life changing experience. The company was very well run and at no point did i feel like there wasnt something to do. Between the nightwalks, boat tours, or, simply hanging out and interacting with the locals, it was all amazing. Sam is such a helpful person who made sure all requirements of the research projects were met. Learning to use camera traps to study the local wildlife was incredibly insightful as well as tracking wild cats using their scat. Waking up to the sounds of howler monkeys and visiting local cocoa farms make this place feel like paradise

I'll preface my review of Hoja Nueva by saying that I absolutely loved the opportunity that Hoja gave to me by allowing me to live in the thick of the Amazon Rainforest. I stayed at the Eco-Lodge for 3 months and my daily activity often took me out of the comfy housing to the on-site cacao chacras or orchards to complete my school sponsored research. After a day's work, I was frequently invited or accompanied on walks into the Rainforest with knowledgeable employees and friends. Hoja Nueva is a magical place with beautiful people.

At Hoja I helped out with a variety of projects including: predator scat analysis, avian and herpetological surveys, soil sampling, and many others. The technical skills I gained from this internship were invaluable but the experience was so much more for me than that. Having the opportunity to unplug from the internet and fully immerse myself in the entirety of nature's wildness changed my life. Every moment that I spent in the jungle with Hoja Nueva, I was awestruck by the gloriousness of the natural world, by the seemingly endless array of life. The lodging is gorgeous, and you're awoken every morning by the sounds of howler monkeys and macaws. I loved waking up, making my morning coffee, and hanging my feet over the edge of the house watching monkeys play in the trees. Projects often involve collaboration with others, so working well on a team is a must! The employees and fellow interns/volunteers at Hoja are easy to get along with, and tasks such as cooking are shared by everyone staying at the lodge. I felt like I had my own little jungle family by the time I left. I would highly recommend this opportunity for anyone with a passion for wildlife and conservation. If you're anything like me, you'll be dying to return as soon as you leave.

I went during the summer of 2018 as a student and then back in 2019 as a volunteer. It is an amazing place that will truly give you a one of a kind experience. The people there are so amazing as well as the place itself. The amazon rain forest is stunningly beautiful for each of our five senses. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for an adventure, a true experience of being out in nature, and especially for those looking to gain field research experience.

I cannot say enough good things about this place. The amount of work they have done and the amount of dedication they have is truly inspirational.

For my undergraduate thesis I looked far and wide for a program to support my research as well as thirst for adventure. When I found Hoja Nueva I immediately was intrigued and couldn't wait to explore the opportunity. Once committing to the program I had no idea how much of an impact it would have not only on my research endeavors but my life in general. The locals and staff are welcoming and incredibly helpful people, the lodge is accommodating and serene, set in the most beautiful environment, and the local sight seeing, wildlife, and culture is right at your fingertips! No regrets whatever, a beautiful trip full of memories and education!

Going to Hoja Nueva was a life-changing experience! I went to the research center for three weeks after my junior year of high school, and because of my experience there, I am now in college studying environmental science. I can't wait to return to Peru!
There is nothing more beautiful than the sounds of the rainforest! During my time in Peru, I got to see animals I had only ever dreamed of seeing, and it was empowering to learn how to protect them. I met some of the most inspirational people of my life in that forest. Going to local communities was eye-opening and truly helped me develop my understanding of what it means to be an environmental scientist.