Wildlife Volunteering in Portugal

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Each year, more than 130,000 seals, whales and dolphins are killed by the trash found in our oceans. This project aims to tackle ocean pollution off the coast of Portugal through diving. Volunteers complete daily dives in various dive sites near Lisbon, with the aim of removing debris from the reef and ocean bed. Volunteers to date have helped to remove almost 3000kg of fishing nets, as well as tyres, fridges, laptops, cell phones and of course, plastic. This project has been running since 2016, and since then a noticeable increase in biodiversity has been seen in the ocean around the dive sites. Volunteers can take part for one week to four weeks. You are provided with full training once in Portugal. We recommend a minimum stay of two weeks for people without prior dive experience. Volunteers live in an eco-guest house in Lisbon with other volunteers. Three meals per day are provided.

Travel to magnificent Portugal, make an active contribution to endangered species conservation, and support the mission of a dedicated wolf sanctuary as a volunteer. Due to human persecution and habitat loss, European wolves were almost exterminated within the past few decades. Whereas populations of the wolf are slowly recovering naturally in several European countries, the populations in Portugal are still extremely limited. Our partner’s wolf conservation project created a safe sanctuary for rescued Iberian wolves that were born and/or kept in captivity under illegal circumstances and are therefore no longer able to live in the wild. Volunteers help care for the animals finding refuge here by feeding them, performing monitoring activities, helping with the forest maintenance where the center is located, and assisting in maintaining the infrastructure of this precious shelter. Become part of a committed conservation team, actively participating in protecting Portugal’s last big carnivore and experiencing the nature and wildlife of the southwestern European country in an incomparable way.

Volunteer at an ethical wolf sanctuary in Portugal and support the conservation of the endangered Iberian wolf. Engage in various activities, from habitat maintenance to public education, while enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings near Lisbon. Responsibilities: Assist in maintaining and restoring wolf habitats Support feeding and monitoring wolves Participate in environmental education and community outreach Help with general maintenance and conservation tasks By volunteering, you get hands-on experience in wildlife conservation, contribute to the preservation of an endangered species, immerse cultural experience in Portugal, and have opportunities to explore local tourist and cultural sights. Join us in preserving the Iberian wolf and gain valuable conservation experience. Apply now to be part of this rewarding volunteer program. Join us today!

Join a non-profit, volunteer-based rescue center that treats injured and sick hedgehogs to release them back into nature. Hedgehogs face threats from pollution, habitat loss, road casualties, and lack of food, leading to a decline in their population. Many are also captured and kept illegally as pets, often without proper care. As a volunteer in this project, you will help rehabilitate these animals and return them to their natural habitat. What to expect: • Rehabilitation Work: Assist in cleaning cages and enclosures, feeding hedgehogs, and supporting clinical procedures. • Awareness Initiatives: Participate in efforts to raise awareness about hedgehog conservation. • Release Events: Help release rehabilitated hedgehogs back into the wild. Daily tasks: • Clean hedgehog cages and enclosures. • Ensure hedgehogs receive proper nutrition. • Contribute to educational and outreach initiatives. • Participate in animal release efforts. • Assist with clinical procedures, such as wound cleaning and medication administration.

Working Abroad Projects welcomes you to get involved in this program that lets you explore the beautiful coastline of Algarve while immersing in a project focused on marine conservation. Take part in dolphin research, which helps you gain insight into different research techniques and instruments. You will study and learn about whales, cetaceans and marine species, as well as their conservation. Fieldwork activities take place at sea on board our research vessel, ‘Ketos’, and on commercial whale watching boats working in partnership on the project. Participating in the Dolphin and Whale Research program gives you the opportunity to gain relevant experience. You will work alongside expert marine biologists, allowing you to play an active role in the future conservation of Portugal’s marine habitats and species. You will stay with other volunteers, as well as our researchers and assistants, in a shared villa in Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal. The accommodation has three rooms, three bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, office, garden, farm with a small crop of fruits, and a private pool. The house has a TV, Wi-Fi, and a laundry room.