Main fundraiser photo

Get The Cats Back To The Jungle


We have some very exciting news regarding a new initiative we are undertaking here at Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary.  As many of you know, we have several species of wild cats here in the southern zone of Costa Rica, including the Ocelot, the Margay and the Jaguraundi.  The Margay cub photographs are of one we currently are rehabilitating at the Sanctuary.  The picture if him in the "cage" is the trap that the poachers used to capture him, and how he arrived at the Sanctuary. 

Over the years, not being equipped to rehabilitate these cats, we have sent them to other sanctuaries throughout the country that had the proper enclosures to house them.  However  in following up with sanctuaries we realized the protocols in place may not have been enough to prevent them from becoming habituated to humans to be released back into the wild.  Most of them have ended up being kept at these sanctuaries permanently, and this is obviously not the desired outcome. 

In discussion with out Regent biologist, Alejandro Mattey, we have decided that we want to be able to house these cats, with effective established protocols in place, so that they can be released back in to the wild where they belong.  Alejandro and Loyal have been working with two biologists, one in Colombia and one in Mexico, who have had great success rates in the rehabilitation and release of jungle cats.  We feel confident that we can do this too with their guidance and instruction.  This is an exciting new expansion of our program.  

In order to do this, we have started construction of two cat enclosures, further down the hill, from our current sanctuary.  They are being built to the exact requirements of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, and the American Zoological Association.  The goal with these new enclosures is to do everything possible to encourage the cats' natural behaviors and keep human contact to an absolute minimum, thus increasing the chances of a successful release back to their natural habitats.  For example, as they are highly arboreal, the enclosures are being built around trees, branches and stumps.  Each will have a natural pond, platforms, and a shift yard which allows us to isolate them while cleaning the enclosure or feeding them,  using these protocols minimizes human interaction, and increases the cats' probability to return to the jungle successfully.  

As as you may know, we are a 501 (3)C nonprofit organization, and rely completely on our tours and donations to continue the important work we do for the animals.  This project is a huge undertaking for Alturas.  Each enclosure will cost approximately $9,000.00 to construct correctly.  Any amount that you might be able to donate would be greatly appreciated.  

Thank you in advance for considering helping Alturas with this important expansion, and please share his post with all your friends and family.

Donations 

  • Suzie Dickson
    • $40 
    • 5 yrs

Organizer

Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
Organizer
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
 
Registered nonprofit
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