Rescue, Rehabilitate & Release
Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release native animals that were sick, injured or orphaned. We care for a wide variety of animals including monkeys, anteaters, opossums, squirrels, birds, iguanas, and more - essentially anything that comes through the door! With a dedicated and well-trained team of volunteers, biologists, veterinarians and students, we work to provide the best possible care for each animal in need.
Major Threats to Wildlife
Animals arrive to our rescue center for a wide variety of reasons, most of which are directly or indirectly caused by human activity. Some of the most common threats facing wildlife in Costa Rica are as follows:
Zelda the howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) was severely shocked on the power lines in May 2018. Over 40% of her body was burned, all her hair was singed, and she temporarily lost function in the lower half of her tail. Her path to rehabilitation was long and difficult, but we’re happy to say she made a full recovery and was released back into the wild in December that year!
Electric Shock
Many of the power lines and transformers in Costa Rica are uninsulated, and countless wild animals are electrocuted every day. Howler monkeys are one of the most severely affected species by this issue due to their arboreal lifestyle. Electric shock can lead to a range of internal and external injuries, from severe burns to nerve damage and organ failure. The animals that survive these shocks usually face a long and difficult recovery.
Dog Attacks
Free roaming dogs pose one of the biggest threats to wildlife in our area. Unattended dogs in the street can quickly become territorial, which poses a threat to native animals crossing their path. In addition to treating the wounds of wild animals attacked by dogs, we work with local spay/neuter campaigns and educate the public about the importance of keeping companion animals contained.
Mojo Jojo (Alouatta palliata) was found alone with shattered bones in his left arm after he was attacked by a dog in January 2018. Due to the severity of the injury, the arm was amputated below the elbow.
Illegal Pet Trade
It is illegal to keep any wild animal as a pet in Costa Rica according to the Conservation of Wildlife Act No. 7317 (“Ley de Conservación de la Vida Silvestre”). Not only does taking an animal out of its natural habitat have negative outcomes on the health and development of that animal, the illegal pet trade places a significant strain on the survival of wild populations and is driving several species to the brink of extinction. When an animal is confiscated, we work with that individual to promote natural behaviors before releasing it back to the wild.
"Kidnapping"
Merlin, the White Fronted Amazon Parrot (Amazona albifrons), fell from the nest as a fledgling and was kidnapped by a well-meaning local family. They kept him in their home for 2 months, during which time he became gravely emaciated and malnourished.
Unfortunately, some animals that make their way into our care are victims of (often accidental) kidnapping. It is normal for parents of numerous species, such as birds, ocelots and deer, to leave their young unattended for hours to days at a time to hunt or forage for food. These young can often be mistaken as abandoned, and are brought into our center by well-intentioned humans. This is usually not the case! We attempt to reunite kidnapped animals with its mother, but if reuniting is unsuccessful, we care for the animal until it is old and strong enough to survive in the wild. While we do our best to give all animals the highest possible standard of care, they are always better off being raised by their parents in the wild!
Wildlife Rehabilitation
