 History and Mission:
Mary Lynn Perry and had been noticing a steady decline in the local
wildlife population on their Costa Rican jungle farm, which they
believed was primarily due to illegal hunting.
In October of 2004, poachers shot their favorite stallion. (Hunters in
Costa Rica typically hunt by shining a flashlight at night and looking
for red eyes reflecting in the distance). This precipitous event
enraged the local community and galvanized the couple into direct
action, and they began to organize protection for the local wildlife.
Our
project focuses on all conservation issues in our area, to preserve and
protect our lil’ corner of Costa Rica, including conservation
education, wildlife rescue center, reforestation.
Our
project consists of a wildlife rescue center:
wildlife sanctuary (28 acre property of secondary & primary
jungle near the national park Reserva Cabo Blanco);
conservation education programs in the local schools and community
awareness programs;
reproduction for re-introduction of endangered or already extinct (in
our area) species of animals & birds;
combating the poaching, hide trade, & illicit pet trade in our
area;
promoting reforestation by providing rare & endangered
hardwoods & native fruit trees,
along with providing expert advice and hands on help (along with our
volunteers) to landscape natural forest environments, at minimal cost
($1 U.S. per tree).
We also work together with other conservationists to acquire, restore,
and/or create key properties with biological/wildlife corridors in
order to expand wilderness habitat territory available for the wildlife
in our area.
We provide nature tours to nature lovers at minimal cost.
We are networked with numerous biologists and scientists from all
around the world to expand the knowledge about various animal
species.
We maintain a nursery of rare medicinal plants and trees, and promote
the use of natural remedies made with native medicinals.
Our volunteer program draws over 200 volunteers from all over the world
to Cabuya annually, and this influx of eco-tourism has a noticeable
positive impact on the economics of our community.
Our wildlife rescue center draws visitors from all over the globe.
Everyone enjoys the close contact with the various wildlife species we
care for.
The visitors also impact the community positively (hotels, restaurants,
service industries, transportation, etc.).
Conservation education is our focus for all aspects of our project.
ALL THE ANIMALS/BIRDS IN THE SANCTUARY THAT ARE NOT CANDIDATES FOR
RELEASE WILL BECOME VERY ESSENTIAL TOOLS/ELEMENTS IN OUR CONSERVATION
EDUCATION PROGRAM.
We gladly advise and counsel people who are striving to develop similar
projects worldwide.
Urgent action is needed now to insure that this area is protected as
the human population grows.
Our area of Costa Rica is rapidly developing as foreigners are buying
former cattle land and building houses.
Most foreign residents are conservation-minded and interested in
reforesting and protecting wildlife. Simultaneously, many of the local
Costa Rican farmers are beginning to understand that protecting animals
and planting trees will not only bring more tourists, but will increase
the value of their land. However, more education is needed.
Paved roads are already planned for the area by the Costa Rican
government, which will bring even more development, and we're working
to protect the pockets of virgin/primary forest still remaining.
Rainsong
Sanctuary map
Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary Goals:
1. To re-introduce endangered species to their natural habitat in areas
where they are already extinct, with supervision of biologists and
veterinarians, and with protection from poachers.
Some of the species which are already or almost extinct in our area are
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...
2. To care for and breed four (4) genetically diverse families of Tapir
(Danta) on two (2) hectares (5 acres) of secondary jungle, in order to
be able to release breeding pairs (from offspring) back into their
natural habitat in areas where these species are already extinct.
3. To create an Association under the name "Rainsong Wildlife
Sanctuary" to provide a legal network for sponsors and voluntary
funding.
The Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary Asssociation is a nonprofit
organization, recycling all funds back into the project.
Rainsong is already registered nonprofit, tax-exempt (for donations) in
Costa Rica.
Soon we will also have nonprofit status stateside to enable us to seek
funding from foundations and universities in the usa, canada, and
europe.
4. Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary is committed to protecting wildlife from
poachers.
With the help of Penjamo Community Wildlife Refuge members, our
sponsors, and volunteers, we will be able to manage this responsibility.
5. There will be a full-time crew of 3 persons to maintain the animals
in the rescue center and sanctuary.
6. We will allow interaction with the public under only strictly
controlled conditions, according to MINAE's guidelines.
7. We would like to stimulate the awareness of the public towards these
various species in danger of extinction, in order to make their
re-introduction into the wild a success. We intend to educate people to
respect nature and to report poachers to the authorities.
8. Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary takes in injured animals or abandoned
young of any species of wildlife for care, recovery, and eventual
release (when possible).
We will work directly with a local veterinarian for the care of these
and all animals in the protected areas.
9. Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary offers internationally accredited
university-level courses in wildlife field studies and conservation,
for students world-wide.
10. Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary offers interactive tours of the rescue
center and sanctuary to all levels of school children, local and
international.
Metas en Espanol (Goals):
1. Queremos re-introducir aves y animales (especies en peligro de
extincion), volviendo los a su habitat natural en areas donde ellos ya
se encuentra extinto, con la supervision de biologos y veterinarios, y
siempre con proteccion de los cazadores. Algunas especies ya extinto en
nuestro region son: Perezoso, Danta, Mono Colorado, Lapas, and Quetzal.
2. Queremos cuidar y procrear cuatro (4) familias de Danta (Tapir) con
diversidad genetico, ubicado en dos (2) hectares (5 acres) que es
jungla secundario, para poder (en el futura) liberar parejas (de crea
de el Sanctuario) apto para procrearse en su habitat natural en areas
donde el especie ya se encuentra extinto.
3. Establecer una Associacion bajo el nombre "Rainsong Wildlife
Sanctuary" para proveer una red con integridad legal para los
patrocinadores y fondos voluntarios. La Associacion Rainsong Wildlife
Sanctuary estará una entidad legal, sin fines de lucro, comprometido
que todos los fondos se inviertan desarollando el mismo proyecto.
4. Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary esta comprometido tomar en serio la
responsibilidad de guardar los animales y aves de los cazadores, y con
los ayudas de los miembros del Penjamo Community Wildlife Refuge
(Refugio Communal Penjamo para Vida Silvestre), los patrocinadores, y
voluntarios, puedemos cumplir con este responsibilidad.
5. Mantenemos siempre un equipo de tres (3) personas cuidando el
Sanctuary (Sanctuario), incluiendo un Biologo Regente de MINAE.
6. Permitimos interaccion entre los aves y animales en el Sanctuary y
el publico bajo circumstancias estrictamente controlado, supervisado
por reglas de MINAE, entre los dias y horas designado por el
interaccion con el publico.
7. Quieremos estimular y cultivar la consciencia y conocimiento de el
publico con respecto a estos aves y animales en peligro de extinction,
para asi hacer la re-introduccion al bosque natural un evento exitoso.
Queremos educar el publico a respectar la Natureleza, y denunciar los
cazadores a los autoridades.
8. Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary va mantener un Hospital para Vida
Silvestre, para cualquiere aves o animales silvestres que esten
heridos, abandonados, o enfermos.
El Hospital del Sanctuary compromete cuidar los, rehabilitar los, y
liberar los (cuando es possible).
La Associacion del Sanctuary estamos trabajando conjunto con un Doctor
Veterinario del local para la cuida de los aves y animales en el Centro
de Rescate y Sanctuario.
9. Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary Association estará ofreciendo clases y
cursos de nivel universitario internacional en los areas academica de
Estudios de Vida Silvestre, y Conservacion, para estudiantes de todo el
mundo.
10. Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary estará ofreciendo excursiones (tours)
interactivo del Sanctuary y Refuge, a todos niveles de estudiantes
escolar, en nivel mundial.
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