When you work in remote places, one of the biggest keys to success is finding local people who are willing to accompany you in your endeavors (even when those endeavors seem crazy). Sometimes, you get lucky, and you find the most knowledgeable, incredible, and kind people -- ones who not only believe in you, but who also teach you all the things about the jungle that you could never learn in any university. When you find this kind of person, the years go by, and you realize that this person who has been working shoulder to shoulder with you for so many years has become more than a friend. He has become a part of your family.

That's what Juan "Juaneco/Juancho" Racua has been to many of us. Ever since he joined our team in 2005, he has also been a fearless boat pilot, a teacher, a helping hand, and a friend to every student, scientist, teacher, and trapper that has been working with "the tigreros" (jaguar team) in the Amazon.

Unfortunately, last month, Juaneco got sick with COVID-19, and he is now fighting for his life in an ICU bed in Puerto Maldonado, Peru. Before his illness, due to the stop in all research over the last few months for COVID-19 precautions, he had been out of work, and the initial hospital bills put his family in a precarious financial situation. Now, while he is in the hospital, his family has to keep paying so that he can receive the care he needs. Their savings have run out, and even though some close friends have been able to help a little, it is not enough.

This is where your help is needed. Any amount of money that you can spare will help his family pay for his medical treatment. Friends, please, help us help our dear friend, loving father of 6, and a wildlife protector.