|
History and Mission:Mary Lynn Perry and Simon G. Gomez 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 have begun to organize protection for the local wildlife. The project was still just a dream just over a year ago. When we went public with the idea, the community's response was overwhelmingly positive. Both locals and foreigners have become enamored with the project and have offered to help, as have many government officials and academics. We're currently working on five projects: 1. ARES - Association for the Reintroduction of Endangered Species 2. Reforestation Project - We provide Endangered Hardwoods to Conservationists 3. Wildlife Rescue Center -- operating since 2005, with all pertinent MINAE permits 4. Penjamo - Organizing a Community Wildlife Refuge 5. Sloth Search - We are looking for the last few remaining sloths in the area 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 cattle land and building houses. Most 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. The site for the future sanctuary is currently being prepared by Mary, Simon, and a constant stream of volunteers. Eventually the area will look like this: 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: Three-toed Sloth, Tapir, Quetzal, Spider Monkeys, and Scarlet and Green 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 is a not-for-profit organization, recycling all funds back into the project. 4. Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary is committed to protecting these birds and animals 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 and sanctuary. 6. We will allow interaction with the public under only strictly controlled conditions, according to MINAE's guidelines. There will be no fee for entrance to the sanctuary and wildlife refuge. 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 will offer to take in injured animals or abandoned young of any species (except snakes and crocodiles) 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 will offer internationally accredited university-level courses in wildlife field studies and conservation, for students world-wide. 10. Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary will offer interactive tours of the sanctuary and refuge to all levels of school children, internationally, free of charge. 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. Estarán gratis al publico la entrada al Sanctuary, 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 (menos los especies de culebras y crocodillos). 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 Hospital y Sanctuary, y Refuge. 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, Gratis. |
| Copyright 2005 by Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary All Rights Reserved |