|
 Introduction:
Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary and Penjamo Community Wildlife Refuge has
been created on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, on the North
Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, and near to the beach towns of Santa
Teresa and Montezuma.
The Rainsong Sanctuary and Wildlife Rescue Center are located in
Cabuya, on the edge of Costa Rica's oldest National Park, "Reserva
Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco."
Our community refuge stretches from Playa Coyote to Paquera, including
(to date) almost 3000 hectares (7500 acres) of protected habitat, a
figure already larger than the nearby Cabo Blanco Reserve, and this
figure is growing rapidly as additional property owners sign up.
Please click here: Links and
Videos to see a list of interesting links and videos about
Rainsong.
Our basic goals
are:
Create a "Community" Wildlife Refuge by gathering signatures of
conservation-minded individual landowners who are committed to stopping
hunting and providing safe habitat for animals. In the first few weeks
we have already signed up over 7500 acres to the Penjamo
Community Wildlife Refuge.
Provide information and assistance in reforesting the southern tip of
the Nicoya Peninsula. We are already providing half-price seedlings of endangered
hardwoods and native fruit trees favored by wildlife.
Operate a badly needed regional wildlife hospital
for the rescue of injured or abandoned animals and birds.
Re-introduce endangered species to
the areas where they've become extinct in the past few decades. These
include the endangered Three-toed Sloth, Baird's Tapir, Quetzal, Spider
Monkeys, Kinkajous, Tepezquintles (pacas), Tamandua Anteaters, Green
Iguanas, Crested Guan, Chachalacs, native pigeons and quail, Scarlet
Macaws...
Recent Volunteer Testimonials :
TESTIMONIAL
FROM RAINSONG VOLUNTEER RANIA:
I've
been at Rainsong for over two months now and I just can't seem to get
enough of the animals. Taking care of baby monkeys never gets old,
especially watching them play in the trees. The toucans and the
legendary and ever-interesting Tarzan have made my stay pretty
incredible. And then there's Cabuya - a tranquil, small place with
friendly, absolutely lovely people. I've worked with a wonderfully
diverse group of people who now feel like family. Mary is willing to
help you with almost anything from getting to rainsong to arranging
snorkeling trips to isla tortuga or giving you time off to enjoy the
waterfalls and the beautiful nature around here. Overall if you'd like
to work closely with some amazing wildlife and don't mind the
inevitable bug bites then take the dive and come to Rainsong.
Rania E. July 2010
TESTIMONIAL
FROM RAINSONG VOLUNTEER JENNY ADAMS:
December 4, 2010
I spent 3 weeks here in 2008 and after saving up my holiday days from
work I have been able to return to spend a month this year.
Whilst the setting is still the same, a beautiful and secluded spot in
the rainforest in the lazy town of Cabuya. the sanctuary has developed
and succeeded in taking on bigger projects, like sea turtle patrols on
the local beaches (In our latest patrols we saved one nest of 111 eggs
which are currently in our hatchery), and campaigning for the
government to take further precautions to prevent wildlife
electrocutions due to uninsulated electrical lines. In addition to the
work with animals, rainsong works closely with the local schools in
CONSERVATION EDUCATION, and a part of each donation is used to sponsor
disadvantaged children through high school and provide elementary
school uniforms to those children unable to afford them.
The sanctuary itself is currently full of monkeys, with an increasing
number of orphaned monkeys being brought in because their mothers have
been electrocuted. It's sad to see this trend, although when these
monkeys are healthy, helping to raise them is incredibly rewarding.
There are several accommodation options, but if you are staying for
more than a month I would highly recommend you stay at the sanctuary
lodgehouse, [FREE LODGING !] which is a 2 story wooden hut overlooking
the ocean. It is very basic and we have spotted the occasional
tarantula and scorpion in the house, but as long as you take basic
precautions, not much beats waking up to a view of the sunrise over the
ocean, and hummingbirds & monkeys playing in the trees.
The local vet is in close contact with mary, providing help diagnosing
and treating any injured animals, while Mary always seeks dietary
advice from scientists, wildlife vets and other sanctuaries
specializing in wildlife species. Mary is very strict in following the
animal care protocols dictated to Rainsong by wildlife vets,
biologists, and the Costa Rican government.
Mary arranges good discounts for many exciting tours and activities for
the Rainsong volunteers, and she is very flexible about allowing extra
days off for FUN TIME.
Some of the animals here won't ever be able to be released, like the
very naughty but loveable Tarzan, the white faced capuchin who lost an
arm after being attack by howler monkeys. However, we make sure these
animals have the best quality of life possible. Tarzan, for example,
enjoys many adventures out in the trees. The sanctuary always receives
positive feedback from its regular monthly inspections from vets,
biologists, and the government.
I would recommend anyone coming here who wants to spend time at one
with nature. Spending time with these animals is a truly unique
experience. Be warned, this is not for the faint hearted. It is a very
lucky volunteer who leaves without at some point getting the wonderful
gift of excrement from those generous monkeys.
JENNY ADAMS
(ja1736@hotmail.com)
For more info on Cabuya, click
here.
For more info on Costa Rica, click
here.
For more info on Montezuma, click
here.
Call
to Action - End Wildlife Electrocution in Costa Rica WARNING
! ALL ANIMAL LOVERS WILL FIND THESE IMAGES SHOCKING AND DISTRESSING.
(PDF)
National Geographic
Geotourism questions and answers regarding Rainsong's projects
|
