Las Pumas Rescue Center

Puma!

Though we'd driven by the entrance many times, we'd never managed to actually visit Las Pumas Rescue Center (http://www.centrorescatelaspumas.org/en), just outside of Cañas, about an hour or so from our house.  We've been making an effort to visit some of the places we've not yet managed to see before we leave Costa Rica in December.  Both hunting and zoos have recently been outlawed in the entire country but there are still many animals in need of rescue, primarily from humans, maybe the most dangerous of all animals.  Though some of the animals at this jewel of a place have been injured, it seemed as if the majority were rescued from human homes that could no longer handle them.  The rescue center, founded in the 1960s, provides safe environments for several types of animals including big cats, monkeys, peccaries, otters, many types of birds and even deer, among others.

A curious lora

Mrs. Lilly Hagnauer Bodmer, originally from Switzerland, began the center partially in response to accelerating habitat decline, as deforestation was booming in the northern province of Guanacaste.  The center is now run by a nonprofit organization in her honor.  Their mission statement is "To rescue, rehabilitate and ensure good conditions for endangered wildlife in Costa Rica, and encourage society's respect and appreciation for wildlife through these actions".  Education seems to be an important theme of the center, as many programs on conservation, wildlife management and environmental education are offered.

Jaguarundi

The jaguarundi is a terrific example of an elusive feline we've longed to see in the wild and until now have never had the chance to observe.  The center houses five of the six large cat species found in Costa Rica.  We were impressed with the activity levels of all of the animals, especially the LOUD talking and laughing loras and the more typically sleepy large cats.  All the animals seemed to be quite well cared for, to us suggesting a well run facility.

Magnificent Jaguar

Erica enjoys the views

Tucán Pico Iris or Keel-Billed Toucan

Despite the fact we've done a lot of hiking and exploring in the forests and jungles of Costa Rica, I'm pretty confident this was the best up-close look at many of these stunning creatures that we've had.  This benefit in part offsets the fact that these animals now live in cages, though in a beautiful setting to be sure.  Even for our sometimes snarky teenager, hearing a puma purr just on the other side of the fence was an experience that will not soon be forgotten.

In the past, we'd caught a brief glimpse at a group of peccaries ahead in the distance during a walk but never had a chance to really get a good look at any from close range.  I couldn't help but thinking of our families back in the States, imagining how funny they'd find it that white-tailed deer are worthy of protection with the peccaries here as well.

So a peccary walks up to a deer.  .  .

I'll be adding Las Pumas Rescue Center to the list of places I'd love to visit yet again.