Latest News
December 19, 2009
"The Sanctuary at Bajos Caña Blanca from the air......"
Seasons Greetings!!!
Dear Supporters of the Sanctuary, I am completing our 14th year of living here and also the most successful year for the Sanctuary. The measurement of that success has been predicated upon the number of animals who returned to the wild and reproduced, and of the infants that arrived and survived. Alvarito will celebrate his first birthday this next month and Ceibo, our handsome male howler monkey is the alpha male of his own troop. We have released 3 squirrel monkeys, two young howlers, dozens of parrots, 6 macaws, raccoons, coatis, agoutis, the jaguarundis, and the list goes on. In this issue we want to show you the successes our of efforts made possible because of your support. We wish to thank everyone who has visited the Sanctuary and for the donations that have allowed so many animals to return to the wild. Costa Rica is experiencing an economic decline in tourism making this coming year financially challenging. Our community projects, conservation education, and development programs will be made possible only through your thoughful generosity. Please donate to help us continue our efforts. In friendship and peace, Carol Crews Director
"Feeding Time for Max..."
Staff Photo
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT...
"Visitors arriving at the Sanctuary..."
Staff Photo
"Pincho and the pizotes..."
Photograph Compliments of Karen Wyld
The Foundation supports the community that supports us. All of our supplies are bought locally. Many fruits, coconut oil and eggs are bought from our coastal neighbors at equal to town prices. We have a local veterinarian and biologist as consultants plus 8 full time employees. Many of our employees were hunters and poachers-now they are environmental stewards. We are accessible only by boat making a visit to the Sanctuary an adventure across the Golfo Dulce; last year these family owned businesses grossed more than $250,000. The Sanctuary is responsible for infusing $425,000 into the local community annually-equal to more than 80 jobs. Here are some examples of the food that is consumed here at the Sanctuary: 40,000 Bananas a year. 1,000 Eggs every month. 1 Ton of cheese annually. 50 Lbs. of sunflower seeds every week. 1,200 Lbs. of Rice a year. 200 Lbs of Isomil (a powdered soy based baby formula).
NEW ARRIVALS...
"Little Eli arrived with his umbilical cord attached..."
Staff Photo
All sloths digest their food anaerobically, in order to receive the bacteria necessary for digestion the young lick their mother's mouths. When licking the saliva from their mother they receive the bacteria and learn which leaves to eat. Little Eli was too young to have received any of his mother's bacteria. He receives acidophilus routinely and is constantly monitored for stomach gases.
"Raja..."
Staff Photo
Raja had been living in a home and we feared she would be too habituated to man, but soon saw the savage side of her when she was given a rib bone to chew on for her daily calcium needs. She is sufficiently hunting live rats and lizards that meander into her cage. She will definitely be released when she is a year old.
"Gutz..."
Staff Photo
Who would have ever thought we would be so enamored with a rat? Well, a specie from the Rodentia order which is called an Agouti. She has been weaned and is content to eat the natural fruits found on the ground as well as rabbit food that is scattered in the yard each morning.
"What shall we name him?..."
Staff Photo
This year we have received three ant eaters, Marco is now out in a large cage filled with rotting logs teeming with bugs and fresh termite nests. He will be released when he is a year old next June. Little Max is the ant eater in the first picture of this news letter. Please help us name our new arrival that weighes just 300 grams.
RELEASES...
"The Titi release..."
Staff Photo
The Central American Squirrel Monkey has a highly synchronized breeding season. We were observing three males vying for the attention of our three females. We quickly crossed our "t's" and dotted our "i's" and received permission to release the girls. We will be keeping an eye out for them when their favorite fruit trees start to bear fruit; with less than a six month gestation, and with a little luck, we should see some young ones next Spring.
"Congito the day before his release..."
Staff Photo
Little Spike had a hard release, twice he returned injured. Both times the process of him leaving was to come to have a midnight snack of milk and peanuts. He would start out every night, then every other night, then every three nights, and then never to be seen again. We often wonder if he finally made it. He is not there every night, but on occassion we see him sleeping in there during the day.
"Spike inside the strangler fig tree..."
Staff Photo
Fatima was the last jaguarundi to be released. We were in fear she had lived a life too long in a cage to survive the wild, but we still occasionally see her straddled on limbs high in a tree or jumping into the deep growth in the wetlands.
"Fatima..."
Photograph Compliments of Bruno Liosel
COMMUNITY PROJECTS...
"Neuter and Spay Clinic in Piedras Blancas..."
Photograph Compliments of Karen Wyld
I included this picture because I wanted people to see what a neuter and spay clinic was like. This clinic was held in the pueblo of Piedras Blancas at their 'town hall'. Every year UNA, the National University School of Veterinary Medicine sends students and a licensed veterinarian to assist the Foundation with our free clinics. Dogs are the largest reason to euthanize, larger than all other reasons combined. Your donations help to make these clinics possible.
VOLUNTEERS...
"Lucas tolerating Winkie..."
Photograph Compliments of Michael Dowing
There are always exceptions to every rule and Lucas is one of them. He is living in the San Jose area to finish his last two years of high school. Sweetie accepted him into 'our troop' and he was very comfortable working with the animals. As you can see, the spider monkeys are most challenging, but Lucas worked through their demands and mischievousness. We are looking forward to Lucas returning in January.
MORE BABIES???
"Is Poppy pregnant?..."
Photograph Compliments of Karen Wyld
When Poppy arrived seven years ago she was confused and clinging to a damp mop head inside a cardboard box. She had been confiscated from a home and was approximately nine months old. She was our first mammal who opened the flood gates to the Sanctuary. Gestation is eight months making an estimated due date of mid-March. Keep sending positive thoughts and we will keep you posted!
ONE LAST THING...
Don't forget to add the jungle inspired hot sauce to your holiday gift list, Organic Originals donates a percentage of the profits to our Sanctuary.
We still need your support to further the rescue center, continue to help the environmental ministry (MINAET), advance scientific research, collect supplies for UNA School of Veterinary Medicine, sponsor more neuter/spay clinics that will help keep the feral population of dogs and cats under control, more local class rooms will be able to participate in day activities/education programs giving us a wonderful opportunity to teach the importance of the wildlife in the forest and to promote other social issues, and last but not least, to be able to continue with our efforts to rehabilitate the wildlife enabling all that is possible to live their natural lives.
"Environmental Fiesta in Puerto Jimenez..."
Photograph M. Alexandra Bolaños Ocampo
For your convenience we have Pay-Pal on our website www.osawildlife.org or you may send a check made payable to Osa Wildlife Sanctuary Foundation, Inc and mailing it to:
P.O. Box 171,
Greenwood, Indiana
46142-0171.
Please write us with any questions or concerns you may have. Your donations can be applied to specific programs; we can give you various needs and projects in which you may assist us.
PLEASE HELP US BY SENDING A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TODAY THANK YOU!!!
"After 50 years Scarlet Macaw are re-establishing habitats on the Northern coast of the Golfo Dulce" Everyone at the Sanctuary sends their positive thoughts towards a healthy and happy new year!
Sincerely, Carol and all the critters
Fundacion Santuario Silvestre de Osa
info@osawildlife.org
www.osawildlife.org
011.506.8861.1309
8888.3803
September 16, 2009
January 10th Lulu gave birth to a healthy male we named Alvarito!!!
Lulu mated with a male from the wild we call Bruno. Social structures began to change a few weeks before the birth. Bruno began to stay in the area where Lulu spent her nights and Ceibo, our male howler, was displaced and not seen for over three weeks until he passed through with his new troop. Mother and infant are doing well. Alvarito would not be here today without the support of so many who willingly put the needs of the animals before their own. All our efforts and successes are due to your generous heartfelt understanding of the commitment we have towards the Sanctuary. I again thank you kindly for all you have done and look forward to your continued support.
"Alvarito at 8 weeks old..." Kate Chambre
LULU'S STORY...
We originally called her Regala, which means gift in Spanish, because she truly was a gift... Judy Arroyo, the tireless director and founder of Aviarios del Caribe, more commonly known as the "Sloth Rescue Center" on the Caribbean called one afternoon and asked us if we would take an infant howler monkey in need of very special attention.
"Lulu when she was 6 months old..." Photograph Alan Wolf
She arrived very weak and thin with two pins going through her leg where her kneecap should have been to stabilize the wiring that was connecting her femur to her tibia. As most of you know, the leg didn't heal properly, but she has good use of the foot and we saw no reason not to allow her freedom and chances of release. During tours Lulu would touch people's hearts by getting into their arms and napping, many would feel sorry for her, and I would always say, "Don't tell her she's handicapped because she didn't know it!" In November of 2007, Bruno, an adult male howler stayed when his troop left. In March of 2008 I observed Lulu flicking her tongue at him during their daily early morning visits in the mango tree, but he didn't seem the least bit interested. In November of 2008 one of our workers told us he thought she was pregnant. My heart began to flutter with joy for her, but also for the protocol we had developed; success of a release project is predicated upon reproduction.
On January 10th, Lulu came down from the trees to show us her baby that was clinging to her chest. He was still wet; the umbilical cord had been severed, but still very supple. Gestation is 6.4 months and delivery is only as long as two minutes. She stayed for about ten minutes to let us all adore such a beautiful baby before returning to the security of the trees...
"Alvarito" today...Photograph Compliments of Sabine Bernert
NEW ARRIVALS AND RELEASES
An infant porcupine, Coendou mexicanus, had been orphaned and was admitted to the Sanctuary. Upon arrival, we estimated him to have been approximately one week old since some spines had already hardened to quills. Since the last newsletter 'Spike' was released...
A volunteer, Cristian Urena, a biology/veterinarian medicine student from UNA School of Veterinary Medicine helped weigh and measure him before his momentous release. They released Spike February 10th under a full moon with clear skies. Though porcupines are solitary animals, Spike liked companionship. He would make his way to our bedroom each evening for playtime and a handout of food. One would never think porcupines as playful and affectionate, but Spike relished his nightly grooming. This pattern continued until his visits became less frequent. By June Spike fully returned to the wild, he was mature and his interests followed that of finding a mate.
Spike..." Photograph Compliments of Carlos Coto Moya
Both of the above success stories are results of soft rather than hard reintroductions. Many biologists suggest that human intervention and socialization with wildlife is always detrimental. We have received ocelots at 6 days old, bottle fed them for 3 months, place them into dens for up to one year, teach them to hunt and catch wild food and release them at 3 years of age. They have gone into the wild, assume a territory and become effective predators. We have successfully done this 4 times with a margay, an ocelot and two jaguarundis. Our philosophy is to always try reintroductions rather than have wild animals captive for a lifetime.
"Lilly" Photograph Compliments of Sabine Bernert
FUTURE PROJECTS...
We have received donations and have purchased five trap cameras! I thank the Grubb and Morrison families and Cabinas Jimenez, for their support to start this ever important-project.
"Ocelot tracks on the beach..." Zachary Taylor
We are in the arduous permit process for placing these cameras in Piedras Blancas National Park. In the meantime, we will be learning and honing our techniques along the trails of the Sanctuary. You will be seeing our results in future newsletters!
"Rojito and Agosto..." Staff Photo
It is that time of year when you can hear the "domestic disputes" of the scarlet macaw. We can safely say we have three pairs of scarlet macaw who are incubating eggs or have fledglings this year.
One of that pair is the two pictured here. The proud and future father on the left lost an eye just prior to fledging when he was attacked by a hawk and fell from his nest breaking a wing. He was flown up to UNA School of Veterinary Medicine were Dr. Mauricio Jimenez removed the eye and pinned the wing. Rojito has flown to San Jose on fifteen different occasions.
"Rojito flying to San Jose..." Staff Photo
(Some of you will recognize Lauren of Iguana Lodge)
Both had a difficult infancy, but their desire to persevere has brought them to parenthood. Let's keep positive thoughts and look forward to hearing about their chick in a forthcoming newsletter.
YOUTH CAMPS
This summer we had our first summer camp experience. Connor, second from left, traveled from Canada to attend and had a great rainforest experience while learning many different aspects of the biodiversity.
"Sofia with future biologists. Staff Photo
Sofia Fallas Paniagua, a veterinary medicine student from UNA, is showing the campers the grooves in the hair of the two-toed sloth.
STUDENTS
The summer break gave us incredible biology and veterinary medicine students from the University of Costa Rica, the National University UNA, and San Francisco de Asis University. It is encouraging to us to have these intelligent and innovative-minded people here. Everyone shared knowledge and experiences and we all learned, but most importantly, we can see a good and GREEN future for Costa Rica.
Ingrid Molina Mora was with us the longest, she was with us for five weeks. Her first task was to research the favorite leaves of howlers and to locate those trees with accessible limbs to give Lulu and Alvarito fresh forage materials daily. She also did an excellent job redesigning our nutrition sheets making them more workable for all. She was also our "educator extraordinaire" with the visiting school children. We enjoyed her immensely and thank her for all that she accomplished.
"Ingrid with students..."Photograph Javier E Del Campo
A huge thank you goes out to three students from San Francisco de Asis University, Helena Herrera Castro, Carlos Coto Moya, and Esteban Zuñiga Vargas. They made excellent surrogate parents for our monkeys and other charges allowing the opportunity to be able to leave to attend a wedding. This was the first time we had been able to leave the Sanctuary together in over thirty months! I must add that Carlos skillfully stitched a cut in the leg of one of our employees!
VOLUNTEERS
Hannah returned as a volunteer for the second time to become the surrogate mother to Gus, an infant two-toed sloth. She would be up in the nursery at the crack of dawn to attend to her charge with such loving care.
"Gus and Hannah" Staff Photo
"Molly with her new friend..." Photograph Karen Wyld
Molly Ennis returned for the third time this summer to take the challenge of taking care of an infant kinkajou that was orphaned when tree limbs were being cleared fro power line. Molly was of invaluable assistance with our free neuter and spay clinics enduring long and arduous days while taking charge of the post opt where she integrated with the pet owners while monitoring the dogs and cats before releasing.
ONE LAST THING,,,
This has been our most challenging year economically; our gross revenues are down 55%. The world economic crisis has hurt tourism in general and those tourists who do make it to Costa Rica stay close to their hotels and few venture to take tours that require an expensive boat trip. Yet the Sanctuary is receiving an ever-increasing number of injured, orphaned and confiscated animals. Mid September through mid December, the height of the rainy season, are the months with the highest overhead and least revenue. In past years we have made up these seasonal shortfalls with personal funds but this year it is more than what we can afford. In short, our current situation is dire and we are soliciting your help via donations.
"Sweetie and her 6 week old baby sister, Winkie..." Staff Photo
We are appreciative of all the assistance we receive. Not all is monetary, but still just as important. Supporters have donated microscopes, an anesthesia machine, a sonogram, an incubator, surgical supplies, baby formula, digital cameras and laptop computers. They have offered computer tech-support and graphic arts skills. Our needs are great and our wish list long. In the coming months we are planning to make PowerPoint presentations to selected groups of potential donors throughout the US and Western Canada starting in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you would like to help sponsor such an event, care to participate or can donate airline vouchers or frequent flyer miles please contact us.
"Army a nine banded armadillo" Photograph Sabine Bernert
We are constantly asked about our T-shirts and availability online. Though we have occasionally sold shirts directly at the Sanctuary we are now offering them online. We offer the original shirt with our logo, shown at the start of this newsletter, in an un-dyed off white organic cotton. Our dark green 'staff' shirts has our conservation motto, "Conservation is the protection of species against the actions of man" on the back. Both are available for $25 each shipping included, in adult and children's sizes small through XXL. If only 10% of our past guests each purchased a T-shirt we could pay our overhead for the next three months! Please contact us for sales at Osa Wildlife. We are designing our 2010 calendars that will be available within the month. Please look for an announcement.
"Marco the anteater..." Photograph Serbine Bernet
We are grateful to all that have given us their help in the past and our only means of thanking everyone is to continue to strive for the betterment of the wildlife in our charge. It would be impossible to name each one of you but a special offer of thanks to Drs. Smith and Harris, Helen Lang and Isaiah Orozoco of the Overbrook Foundation and Dr. E Marits. The jungle inspired hot sauce made by George and DeeDee, Organic Originals, donates a percentage of profits from each bottle sold to our Sanctuary. Nature Air has been a tremendous asset safely flying our animals for emergency care. Jim Sibley who designed and hosts our new website. Our thoughts of appreciation and gratitude also go to many local businesses that support us however they may; telling guests about us, donations of supplies, discounted services, and for entrusting us with the wildlife they encounter.
"What a life....." Photograph Kate Chambre
We still need your support to further the rescue center, continue to help the environmental ministry (MINAET), advance scientific research, collect supplies for UNA School of Veterinary Medicine, sponsor more neuter/spay clinics that will help keep the feral population of dogs and cats under control, more local class rooms will be able to participate in day activities/education programs giving us a wonderful opportunity to teach the importance of the wildlife in the forest and to promote other social issues, and last but not least, to be able to continue with our efforts to rehabilitate the wildlife enabling all that is possible to live their natural lives.
PLEASE HELP US BY SENDING A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TODAY
For your convenience, we have Pay-Pal on our website or send us a check made payable to:
Osa Wildlife Sanctuary Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 171
Greenwood, Indiana
United States
46142-0171.
Please write us with any questions or concerns you may have. Your donations can be applied to specific programs; we can give you various needs and projects in which you may assist us.
THANK YOU!!!
"With your help Pablo will see better days..." Kate Chambre
January 30, 2009
September 05, 2008
NEW ARRIVALS
Little Sunshine, a female Central American Squirrel monkey came to us in June with total loss of movement in both legs. She was flown to UNA, the national university school of veterinary medicine for x-rays verifying there was no spinal damage. 'Plan B' was implemented and with the help of Hanna, our summer volunteer extraordinaire, Sunshine is on the road to recovery. She has gained some movement in her right leg and the use of her toes on the left foot! Continued medication and physical therapy will further her improvement.
Two tourists making their way to Puerto Jimenez found an immature margay late at night on a road; a car had hit him. He was incredibly underfed giving us the indication he had lost his mother that was hunting for him. We once again flew to UNA to try to save this feline's life. The left eye had to be removed. We named him Isaiah, he survived the surgery, is recuperating at the Sanctuary and we are busy preparing his new cage.
Margays are an arboreal hunter, using the ground only to travel within its home range. Life living and hunting in the trees may prove to be difficult for survival with only one eye, but we have all witnessed the incredible adaptability of wildlife and will pursue every effort towards releasing this endangered species. We are enriching his cage to resemble a tree; large limbs will be placed high with a box to hide in during the day. They drink from cascading water, which we will place a ladder with various bowls tilted to cascade from one container to another.
A margay's diet consists of arboreal rats and other vertebrate prey; we will catch live rats and release them in his cage to see his ability to hunt with the one eye. Until we give him his first rat we won't even know if he knows that it is his food of choice. Not to worry, we will teach him that, the task of hunting will be the major factor for the decision to release or not. Keep thinking positive thoughts!
FATIMA IS READY FOR HER LIFE IN THE WILD!!!
Great progress has been made concerning our relations with the governmental licensing agency. We have received permission to release Fatima, the jaguarundi. Fatima came to us with two other siblings when they were just days old. They were confiscated while being smuggled across the border into Panama.
The infant male died when he went after a scorpion and was stung in his gums before he killed it.
Her sister, Fiona, was released by Poppy the oldest spider monkey that thinks she is the 'release expert' and 'shop steward'. She took total advantage of a new employee that did not use the double locks, watched him from above waiting for him to leave the area and instantly came down from the tree, pulled the latch open, swung the door open and chased her out! We know she was alive and well after her first fifteen days of freedom because we saw her tracks on the beach chasing the crabs and seeing the left over signs of a successful catch.
MOVING DAY
All the permanent residents have moved to their new digs; Boogie has a swimming pool, Marta loves her hollow log hanging high, and Rhonda and Kudos bask in the warm morning sun lounging in their hammock! The capuchins all think they have gone to "monkey heaven"! Their enormous cage was built over three cacao trees and enriched with swings, ropes and hoops! There is no fighting over the food with four different food stations. Leno the collared peccary thinks he is now a superstar with all the visitors passing by his humble and reeky abode!
'WILDLIFE' CAMPS'
Based on the overwhelming interest from our young visitors to return and help, we are offering youth camps during spring break and four dates in the summer months of 2009. The experience of a lifetime will be an all-inclusive package for 10 days; only 12 children with four chaperone and/or teachers will attend these extraordinary programs-sixty children will be accepted this first year. Please write us for further details and kindly give us the names and ages of your children and your preferred dates.
This year the Sanctuary has enjoyed many great successes; the clinic/laboratory is well stocked with equipment and meds, a scarlet macaw chick-for the second year-was born in the wild and survived its fledging period, the improved facilities-especially the capuchins' new home, the economic assistance we contribute to the community-we now have eleven full-time employees, and most importantly the release of many animals that would have never been free if it hadn't been for your support!
Through your continued support we can further the rescue center, continue to help the environmental ministry (MINAE), advance scientific research, collect supplies for UNA School of Veterinary Medicine, have more neuter/spay clinics that will help keep the feral population of dogs and cats under control, more local class rooms will be able to participate in day activities/education programs giving us a wonderful opportunity to teach the importance of the wildlife in the forest and to promote other social issues, and last but not least, to be able to continue with our efforts to rehabilitate the wildlife enabling all that is possible to live their natural lives.
May 30, 2008
BRI-BRI IS GOING HOME!!!
He is very fortunate to be able to be released-the other capuchins at the sanctuary are all true victims of the pet trade and will never be released. This specie is one of six in the Cebus genus and the only one that is territorial.
Bri-Bri comes from the Caribbean side. He was found on a private road, paralyzed and totally emaciated. After two days of feeding him intensely rich foods he had wrapped his tail around his hammock!
He was taken to UNA School of Veterinary Medicine where he was x-rayed, blood drawn, and other tests were made. There was no spinal damage! He was on a twelve-hour drip and then released to make the arduous journey to the sanctuary.
Over the past two years he has regained his mobility, total strength and weight. We have applied to MINAE to take him back to where he was found; listen for him to call his troop and wait for them to reply, and then....open the cage and wish him a "good life".
MANLY THE OCELOT IS FREE!!!
Manly, our three-year old ocelot left his cage in the early morning on the 19th of April. During the 2nd and 3rd nights of his freedom, we suspect he was hunting the agoutis we have on this side of the farm. I thought the agouti successfully deterred his predator those first few nights, but on Manly's 4th night out, I heard what I thought to be a successful hunt!
The experts tell us if a feline survives in the wild for 15 days, he will be able to survive his natural life in the wild. All the indications we see confirm he is alive and well.
Past experience has taught us that the released animal will usually stay in this area up to six weeks before going on to his own new home range. We are still seeing signs of his existence, but less and less.
Lola, our six month old ocelot will be moved to the space that Manly had in the pre-release cage. When she is a year old we will start to feed her live prey in preparation for release when she is of age.
We didn't collar Manly because the tracking equipment available and the terrain of the land didn't warrant the effort. New GPS collars that disengage at a set time will be purchased for both female ocelots before being released. We will be satisfied to get a "blip" once or twice a week giving us the indication of their activity and location.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW SANCTUARY
The Sanctuary has made incredible progress this year; the quarantine building is complete and in use, many large cages have been built and naturally enriched-even with pools of running water, the laboratory/clinic has two microscopes, an anesthesia machine and soon to have a sonogram machine and an incubator!
We are harvesting coconut trees inland, away from the beach and milling them to rebuild the roof of an old rancho, soon to be the new animal kitchen! Coconut wood has been used as the only building material on small Pacific Islands for years. It is a sustainable product and we are quite proud of using environmentally correct materials.
WILDLIFE PROGRESS REPORT
The three female Central American Squirrel monkeys are in their temporary cage where they will reside until they are sexually mature and ready for release in less than eighteen months. Our protocol is being written to release these three "girls" with GPS collars that disengage and set them free on the other side of the Rio Esquinas where there are existing troops, but we will also ask for permission to build a "monkey bridge" to allow them to pass over the river and into Piedras Blancas National Park.
Inside the park they will be protected and since they thrive on secondary growth, there will be an abundance of food for their consumption. Piedras Blancas is a new park; people lived on farms within this protected area just a few years ago. The pastures are in transition growing into large areas of secondary forests enabling the troops of "Titis" to thrive in a protected area.
NEW ARRIVAL
A two-month old scarlet macaw we named "Chacon" is a victim of the pet trade and of a dog attack. He arrived at the Sanctuary with a bite through the tail. The muscles that were bitten control the flaring of the tail feathers. The wound is healing properly and I feel confident there shouldn't be any permanent damage, thus allowing the bird to fly free.
A flight cage 20 feet long will be finished before he is out of quarantine. There he will be able to strengthen his flight muscles and get to know the existing flock prior to release.
COMMUNITY PROJETS
The Foundation, other local NGOs and students from the Onatrio Veterinary School in Guelph, Canada assisted in a "no cost" sterilization clinic in La Guaria. All the dogs and cats were also given shots for parasites, vaccinations, and treated for mange if needed. BBC's PLANET EARTH DVDs were played on a television to entertain the anxious pet owners waiting for their animals to be returned to them. The "mayor" from another pueblo came to visit to ask us to have our next clinic in his pueblo, Finca Alajuela, where there is a serious problem of street animals. The Foundation has committed to "no cost" clinics around Piedras Blancas National Park to get the feral population under control. Even with the help of other NGOs it is still quite costly to the Foundation, but we consider it to be of the utmost importance; at the Sanctuary, the largest reason for euthanasia, more than all other reasons combined are due to dogs.
CAMERA TRAP PROGRAM
We are implementing a program with the Director of Piedras Blancas National Park to make a viable and accurate population count of the mammals within the park. The Park is the newest in Costa Rica; just five years ago most of the people left the park and reforestation is naturally occurring creating more natural habitat for the wildlife that we will be able to release.
We need to be responsible about releasing the wildlife by knowing we aren't over populating a particular species. This dilemma is resolved with camera traps, a technique used by many biologists and organizations such as Wildlife Conservation Society that is tracking jaguars throughout the Americas.
Schools, families and businesses have committed to sponsoring a trap, and the results from their traps will be posted on our website.
The Foundation strives for win-win situations and this is one of the best; the wildlife wins, the students win and so does the ecosystems within the Park! If the sponsorship of a camera trap is of interest to you, kindly write with further questions or write a note to apply your tax-deductible donation towards this momentous project.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST....
We thank each and every one of you for visiting the Sanctuary; it is your donations that have kept all the animals healthy. Your participation is crucial to the existence of the Sanctuary and we are grateful for your assistance and your continued support.
We also wish to give a special "Thank You" for those that have gone above and beyond; a private donor that made possible the large 20 feet wide by 20 feet high by 40 feet long cage for the capuchins new home, the class from Arkansas that gave car washes and cake walks to raise $700, the people approaching their employers at a laboratory asking to donate two microscopes, another individual is responsible for acquiring a sonogram machine and an incubator, a university donating an anesthesia machine and I could never forget the two young girls from California that collected donations in lieu of birthday and Christmas gifts. These noble acts are immensely appreciated, put towards good use, and also gives us the strength to continue. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Carol Crews
December 3, 2007
Winkie arrived at the Sanctuary last August tenth. She was found on the forest floor in the Lapa Rios Reserve when she was less than two days old.
Quick action by one of the lodge’s guides saved Winkie’s life. The guide heard the commotion of the mother and other monkeys in the trees close by and ran to the area to find a troop of coatis closing in to attack. Seconds later Winkie would have been food for the omnivores.
Today Winkie is developing much more rapidly than Poppy or Sweetie, possibly because her two older “sisters” are here to teach her. She is very independent going out in the trees to forage while swinging from limb to limb.
She is the epitome of good health, using many intrinsic behaviors during her daily activities and we see no reason why she won’t return to the forest when she is sexually mature in four to seven years.
