Cultural Experiences

Two evenings ago we went into town and it was a nice to get a break. I realized I had been at the centre for 7 straight days without leaving. It almost felt like being cooped up in the house too long. There were about 25 of us that ended up going to this pizza place. There were lots of options to choose from, not just pizza. I ended up with pizza and fries though. Next time, if I get the chance to go again, I'll get Ceviche. It looked so good when Carolina got it. It's great having time to get to know some of the girls that are still here. Especially when they are from different countries and do things differently. Learning from other cultures and the way they say or do things is such a wonderful experience. 

Yesterday afternoon I finally had the opportunity to work on active enrichment with the baby sloths. My oh my what an experience that was. There are literally no words to describe the experience that I had carrying them over to enrichment. Jay was so fun, even though he can be quite the pain in the butt. It's great seeing them climb around on the branches. Jay moves so fast, for a sloth. 

All of my days seem to be running together now, I forget what day of the week it is half the time. I wake up, eat breakfast at 7. We have our meeting at 8 to delegate tasks and then we work on tasks until lunch at 12. Depending on your tasks, you usually will have a little down time, that's usually when I catch up on my reading, do a little laundry, or write this blog. Today during my down time I was sitting on one of the benches and all of a sudden Alex got Violeto out. He's the sloth that was electrocuted and had to have one arm amputated while the other one is badly damaged and is wrapped up. He let him out to do some stretching and move around a bit. It was so sweet to see him get some exercise because he is in a small cage. So him working on building up his muscles and moving around is great for his rehabilitation. 

Love, 

3 days left until the beach  

Don't take things for granted

The history of this Rescue Centre is very sad. I know I've said this before, but Sarita is such a passionate person. This morning before our morning meeting she gave a brief history of the Centre. It's amazing to see how far it's come. This evening she had a "history of the Centre" class, where she told us all about how it started. Hearing her talk tonight was very inspiring and makes me want to get involved more with helping animals in any way that I can. I also want people to be aware of the lives of some of these animals here. Bought on the pet trade or black market. The capuchins and spider monkeys were bought and used for entertainment purposes. People paid money to come see them, then they'd be put into tiny cages the rest of the time. This is just the monkeys. But, that's for a different time.

The original Centre started out 11 years ago on the Caribbean coast and had 10 acres of land. There was a dome call the butterfly garden where all the birds and monkeys lived together. They had a pool for the turtles. The land they were on was right on the coast where the Leatherback turtles would lay their eggs. This place sounds like it was beautiful. Most of them were released when they were ready. One day the government came and told the Centre they had 5 days to move 67 animals because they were going to build a mega port. Luckily they had a lawyer who was able to get them 3 weeks instead of 5 days, but that still wasn't enough time to safely move all 67 animals 5 hours away to the place it is now. They didn't have the materials or the transportation to do it in the best way possible. Unfortunately, they lost several animals in the move due to the stress of the move. The center they are at currently is not the best case scenario for these wild animals and Sarita knows that. But, it's the best they can do for now. They've bought the new Centre and when it's all finished the animals that are non releasable will have bigger enclosures and better conditions. 

It's very hard to see the animals like this but it's nice to hear the hopefulness Sarita had for these animals and hopefully more will be released soon. 

Being apart of this transition into the new Centre is an honor and privilege and I'm happy I can be part of their history. I've really learned more than I thought imaginable in the 8 days I've been here. I'm going to make the most out of these last 4 days, even though it's hard seeing the animals this way, on top of some volunteers who don't take the Centre as seriously as others. Yes, it's fun to play with the animals during enrichment time, but while you're in cleaning their cages or giving them food and water you're there to do just that, not interact with them. The Centre wants to release as many as they can, but if the animals get too used to humans then they can't be put back in the wild. It's just sad to see that some people don't understand this and it's been hard to deal with a bit. Sarita's passion though really shines through in those dark moments. 

Love, 

Trying to save the world, one animal at a time

Miracles do happen

So yesterday, a couple of really cool things happened. I've been working with Lagom, the bird, and yesterday he was climbing on the jungle gym that Sebastian made and he was doing so many cool things while climbing, using his beak, both of his claws and then all of a sudden he was at the top of the jungle gym and flew to the grown. It was not so graceful but he still flew. It was great after the last few days of working with him and seeing this wonderful progress.

Next awesome thing is Itchy, the Olingo, she hasn't been eating anything for the past few nights. Last night, Caroline and I went in to feed her and she actually ate from us, drinking the juice of the fruit and climbed out and on me. This was a huge improvement from the nights before. Tonight I went back into the cage to feed her and she ate so much more. She was eating sweet potato and watermelon straight from my fingers. So cute. Itchy is such a sweet little girl and so shy and timid, but I think she is warming up to me. 

It really makes me feel like I'm actually doing my job here. I'm helping these animals in some way and hopefully that's bettering them in the long run. It has been so worth coming here and working with these animals. 

Lots of people left today and quite a few new ones arrived. Two new girls arrived in my room and they're from London. They seem very nice and I think I'll make good friends with them as well. I'm sad to see the vet team finally leave tomorrow morning. We've talked about possibly meeting up in Manuel Antonio, but who knows where they'll end up. 

Tomorrow I start my second and last week at the rescue center. I'm one of the "experts" now and will start training the next group of volunteers that have arrived. It's crazy that it's already been a full week that I've been here. It's gone so fast already. As of now I have pretty much done every job and have a good understanding of most of the animals. Other than some of the monkeys, most of the animals are really sweet. I've become Sarita's dog watcher, Blacky seems to listen to me and like me a bit so she always has me watch him when she leaves. The kinkajous, Daniel and Nela, are so cute and love belly scratches. They also smell amazing, Christie described it perfectly, she says its cinnamon and burned banana bread mixed together. When you get near their cage they come up to the side and lay down and show their stomachs for scratches. Berth, the adult male howler monkey, makes this incredible noise and when you make it back, he repeats it. He'll even hold your hand for a minute. Then there's Feluco, the baby howler, he's so snuggling and then loves to play especially during active enrichment. The baby sloths are also fun, especially Jay. He makes it so hard to clean their cage. He loves to try and get you every chance he can while you're in there. Today he was dead asleep until I grabbed the food bowl and didn't realize he was there. He leans back and opens his mouth in like a yawn growl and then decides it's time to come running after me. The baby marmosets, Wall-E and Ava, love eating sweet potatoes it's fun to see them climb around getting their food. There are more animals but these are the ones I've interacted with the most and have gotten to know their personalities best. 

One more week and then I'll be posted up on the beaches of Manuel Antonio. 

 This is Feluco

 Nela loving those belly scratches

Daniel is great at being cute 

Amy is hopefully getting released soon! 

The History of the Center

The last few days have been filled with so many wonderful things. I've been in and out of most the cages, cleaning and feeding the animals. Working with prepping their food and active enrichment/rehabilitation. I don't even know where to begin. 

On day 4, Yuman, one of the capuchins monkeys escaped. It has been quite an entertaining feat to get him back in his cage. The best part is the fact that the other capuchins have been feeding Yuman through the cages. Even the howlers have joined in on feeding him. He was a wild monkey so he doesn't do so well with people. I'm not entirely sure how they will lure him back, but it's funny because he's stayed around here. 

Getting to know Sarita has been a fun adventure, she truly loves these animals and is trying her best to do what's best for them. She tells us everyday that she's not perfect, but does what she thinks is the right thing. Learning about the different animals and how the came to be here is heartbreaking. For Veoleto, the sloth, was electrocuted and had to have an arm amputated. The other arm isn't doing so well, either. So it's so sad to see them in this much distress.  

Dia de Tres

This place is truly incredible. I learned so much today, more than I ever thought possible. Since I still couldn't touch any of the animals this morning, I went to the new rescue center to help get it ready to bring the animals over eventually. I had an opportunity this morning to clean out the sloth cage at the new center. There's a mama sloth with a baby. Technically, I was supposed to wait until this afternoon, but Victoria needed someone and everyone else was newer than me. Plus, yesterday I got to watch and see how it was done. Let me tell you, what a cool thing to see a sloth up close and personal. They are fascinating creatures and I love getting to learn more.  We got a lot done today. One group was working on installation in the dorm rooms, one was rebuilding the fencing around the pond and Victoria and I were painting the down stairs area and others were planting. It was great to see all the wonderful work everyone was doing to help out the new center. We all definitely earned our lunch today. 

This afternoons chores were divided up and I finally could get on the board for working with the animals. I picked a few things to fill my afternoon, but the thing I was looking forward to the most, feeding the sloths. There are a totally of 17 sloths and 4 baby sloths at the sanctuary and they all get fed at 7pm. You just take their prepared bowls and go in and set them down, with the exception of Stevie Wonder and Rachel. Stevie Wonder is blind and gets hand fedand because Rachel has been in the same cage for so long, she gets the same. So there are two people that must go in and feed these two. I'd watched it be done last night, so I was given the opportunity to do it tonight. 

Stevie was such a sweetheart, you would just put the food near his mouth and he'd grab it from you sometimes or he'd just let you feed him. I was in heaven the whole time. We bounded and had a moment. Hopefully I can get to do that again. 

There are 3 vet students here and they have become some new friends. Sebastian and Christy are from Canada and TJ is from New York, but they all go to vet school in Canada. They are great people. Christie and I've really bonded, it's almost like we've known each other for a long time. We say a lot of things at the same time or think the same way, it's scary. Hanging out with them today I got to learn a lot about medicine and different things while they helped Sarita with her inventory. 

There's so much more to learn. I still have so much more to do and learn. 

Love from the girl who got more paint on her instead of the wall. 

The Penguin Room

I arrived after dark last night, but what a whirlwind of emotions on the journey to the sanctuary. Getting off the airplane and going through customs, I had flashbacks of the last time I was here. Too bad I didn't have the same guy helping me get through it, but I'm a pro now right?! So thankful to find my ride rather quickly and it only took about 40 minutes from the airport to get here. Nothing to see because of the sun fading quickly, but I was able to recognize several things in San Jose before we headed out of town. 

When I arrived at the sanctuary everyone was so warm and inviting. There are people staying from all over the world. Victoria, one of the ladies that seems to run things, showed me around as much as she could and brought me to my room, The Penguin Room. It is named the penguin room for the fact that there are two large penguins painted on the door. There are 4 others staying in my room. We have bunk beds and mosquito nets. 

I forgot how loud it can be, especially in the morning when you know, average people are sleeping. But, since I'm at a wildlife sanctuary and animals don't care so much about humans sleep, they started howling and screeching about 5 in the morning. Lucky for me, I didn't have to get up until 7. (Please sense the sarcasm) Oh well, I knew I was going to have early mornings while I'm here. 

Breakfast was at 7 and then morning duties were distributed about 8 am. Because I'm new, I can't touch the animals for 48 hours so they had me over at their new sanctuary during the morning. This place is way bigger and will be a lot nicer for the animals. While we were over there we just helped to clean it up and I painted a couple signs for different areas. 

After lunch was over, we all headed back to the main sanctuary and were given our afternoon chores. I was able to assist in cleaning the sloths cages out. I wasn't allowed in them, but I was right outside helping with buckets of water and different things. It's definitely a 2 person job. Let me tell you though, there are some baby sloths and they are the cutest thing EVER! :) cannot wait to get in their and be close to them. 

In the later afternoon it's our downtime, which is good because it's pouring. Which it usually does this time of day, anyway. Perfect time to lay in a hammock and read a book while listening to the rain hit the tin roof. 

This evening, after dinner, there is a group of us going to into town. Should be fun getting to know all the people staying here. 

Love from the girl who needs a cold shower and has dirt for days already caked to her. 

Deja Vu

Well, 4 years ago almost to the day, I sit in the same positon. Nervous, but ready to head to Costa Rica for a second time. I can't believe I was given this amazing opportunity to head to this beautiful country, yet again. Last time I was all about helping under privileged children and what a great experience I had. I don't think I'd be where I am today without that experience. 

Today, I head down to do something that I never thought possible. I get to work with sloths and all kinds of wildlife. I get to help these animals for the better and hope they get to return to the wildlife once they've been cured. Holy crap. I never thought in my wildest dreams something like this would be possible, but it is.

A lot has happened this past year that I can't change, or take back, but the one thing I don't regret is planning this trip. It's probably the only thing that's gotten me through everything else. The next few weeks are going to be a whirlwind but I am more than ready, and excited to go. Here's to new adventures and great times. 

Love, the ever seeking adventurous girl