Volunteering

Give some of your time, freely and selflessly, to the conservation of fauna and flora.

📣 Information

Welcome to the Volunteering area of the ZOO KOKI Foundation!

At the ZOO KOKI Foundation, we work every day guided by a very clear vision: we dream of “a better world in which human beings live in harmony with nature”. If you share our passion and respect for fauna and flora and wish to give some of your time freely, in solidarity and selflessly, this is the place for you!

As a private non-profit organisation, we base our work on four fundamental pillars: Education, Recreation, Conservation and Research. We also carry out our own social programme, «El alma del zoo» (“the soul of the zoo”), aimed at supporting the groups most in need.

By joining our volunteer team, you will become a key part of our park. You will help us convey to our visitors the urgent need to preserve biodiversity, you will work in an environment that is home to more than 150 animal species and 300 plant species, and you will lend a hand to our conservation and inclusion projects.

Our values are our banner: we look for people who share our principles: commitment, warmth, ethics, responsibility, cooperation and excellence. We are a friendly, family-run zoo, and we are proud to be a cognitively accessible environment. For this reason, and in compliance with the principles of volunteering, we guarantee an inclusive space with equal opportunities and without any form of discrimination.

Here you will find a place away from the noise where you can learn, share and leave a positive mark on the planet. Ready to be part of the change? Take a look at the requirements below, find out about our programmes in detail and take the first step towards joining the ZOO KOKI family. We look forward to seeing you!

🎓 Partner universities

U. Complutense de Madrid

U. Autónoma de Madrid

U. Castilla-La Mancha

U. de Jaén

U. Santiago de Compostela

U. Politécnica de Valencia

Universidade da Coruña

Universidad Europea

🪢 What types of volunteering are there?

Intensive volunteering: 5 days a week for a minimum of two months (days off will not necessarily fall on weekends). 6-hour days, from 9:00 to 16:00 (1 h for lunch); this timetable may change depending on the time of year.
Weekend volunteering: Saturdays and Sundays for a minimum of two months. 6-hour days, from 9:00 to 16:00 (1 h for lunch).
1-day-a-week volunteering: always the same day of the week for a minimum of three months. 6-hour days, from 9:00 to 16:00 (1 h for lunch).

👣 Steps and useful information

If you are ready to join the ZOO KOKI Foundation family and help us in our mission of conservation and education, here are the key steps and information you need to know:

Step 1: Check the basic requirements. Any individual who freely and voluntarily decides to give their time can be part of our team. You only need to bear the following in mind:

Age: you can take part if you are of legal age.
Legal certificates: if you decide to take part in activities involving regular contact with minors (such as our educational workshops), the law requires you to provide a negative certificate from the Central Register of Sex Offenders and of those convicted of human trafficking. A responsible declaration of having no criminal record for offences such as gender-based violence, domestic violence or terrorism will also be required.

Step 2: Choose your area of action. Our work rests on four fundamental pillars in which you can get involved: Education, Recreation, Conservation and Research. You can choose to help with the care and preservation of our more than 150 animal species and 300 plant species, take part in environmental education through workshops and guided tours, or add your effort to our charitable social programme, «El alma del zoo» (“the soul of the zoo”).

Step 3: Formalise your commitment. Before you start, your relationship with the ZOO KOKI Foundation will be set out in writing through the signing of an Incorporation Agreement. This official document will detail your duties, the time you will dedicate, the duration of your commitment and the set of rights and obligations that bind us. It is the best way to ensure that your experience is safe and enriching.

Step 4: Start your adventure!

Accreditation and safety: when you join, we will provide you with an official accreditation identifying you as a volunteer of the ZOO KOKI Foundation. You will also be covered at all times by an insurance policy against accident and illness risks arising from your activity.
Training and expenses: you will receive the necessary ongoing training, adapted to your abilities, so that you can carry out your tasks with excellence. Although voluntary work carries no financial compensation, the ZOO KOKI Foundation will reimburse the expenses you incur in carrying out your activities in accordance with your programme.
Recognition: at the end of your time with us (or whenever you request it), we will issue you with an official certificate detailing the length of your collaboration, the tasks carried out and the skills you have gained with us.
Your duties: in return, we expect you to fully share our founding values: commitment, warmth, ethics, responsibility, cooperation and excellence. As a volunteer, you must act diligently, respect the confidentiality of internal information, follow the team's instructions and treat the recipients of our social programme and the park's visitors with the utmost respect.

🧬 What do we ask of you?

We are looking for committed people who are eager to learn and passionate about animals. These are our main expectations:

🐾 A proactive, responsible attitude: get involved in daily life, ask questions, observe and take part with interest.
⏰ Punctuality and commitment to schedules: animal welfare and teamwork require consistency and organisation.
👥 Respect and teamwork: you will work alongside professionals from different areas, other students and, of course, animals. Collaboration and mutual respect are essential.
📚 Interest in conservation and environmental education: we are looking for people who share our values and want to be part of something bigger.
🧤 Availability for a variety of tasks: from behavioural observation and support with environmental enrichment to helping with cleaning and maintenance of the surroundings.
🌿 Sensitivity towards animal welfare and the environment: we deal with living beings who deserve care, attention and respect.

If you identify with this, we will be delighted to welcome you and help you grow, both professionally and personally.