A Wildlife Rescue Centre
We are a conservation project tucked away in the Amazon basin in Peru. We’ve been here since 2010, rescuing wildlife and protecting the 180 hectares of rainforest we now own, called ‘Selva Dormida’ (sleeping forest). Our goal is to keep expanding this protected area, conserving the forest and its vital inhabitants, together with the local community.
We provide shelter for displaced and exploited native animals from the Peruvian rainforest. Most of the animals that arrive to Esperanza Verde have been confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade and abandoned by previous owners – once they realise wild animals do not make good pets (what a surprise). Here, they get a second chance at living in their natural habitat, some in large enclosures and others in semi-captivity, depending on their behaviour and ability to live peacefully with the other animals at the centre.
We aim to rehabilitate these creatures and release them back into their natural home. During their time in the centre, all animals get professional care and a chance to get back to a life that is within their original habitat and as natural as possible. But sadly, that’s not always possible.
If one of our goals is to release every animal that arrives into the wild, the majority of our arrivals have been in contact with humans, either briefly or for a longer period (like being a pet). Having been in the trade or a holding facility, they are very likely to have been in contact with other wild animals, which means the probability of being exposed to diseases and parasites they normally wouldn’t have, is high.
If returned to the wild, they pose a threat of infecting wild animals, thus causing serious, and potentially irreversible problems. It’s also highly likely that they will have lost their instincts, not recognizing life threatening situations or knowing how to hunt for or find food. They have often only learned to depend on humans for food and shelter.
Their unnatural learned behaviours and the risk of spreading disease, means many of the animals that come to us, don’t end up being released. So, we work tirelessly to provide a place and environment for them to have a peaceful, healthy, and as close to natural life as we can. That’s why we have ‘Selva Dormida’, a place for animals whose life has been altered by humans, to safely roam around and be wild-ish.
Animals that are identified as eligible for rehabilitation and reintroduction go through a thorough process to make sure their chances of survival back in the wild are as high as possible.
The work is never-ending, but so is our passion for rescuing wildlife and preserving the beautiful rainforest they live in. Do you feel the same? Join us for an adventure you won’t soon forget!
→ Meet the founders & directors
→ Discover all the ongoing projects
→ What can you do if you find a wild animal (in Peru)?
Volunteers
Esperanza Verde runs on the generous hard work of volunteers, we wouldn’t exist without their time and dedication. While we have a few full-time workers (that focus on construction), volunteers are the main providers of care for the animals, maintenance, and enrichment – but also support construction work at times.
We offer a wide range of research opportunities for students and academics. Natural scientists, veterinarians, and environmental engineers have come here to bring a plethora of projects to life. From building tree nurseries, creating an inventory for tree seedlings to animal care protocols, field courses for local veterinarians and providing support in establishing a stable water supply system.
Support
We don’t receive any funding from the Government. The help from volunteers and donations is what keeps us going. But we are very lucky to have the Esperanza Verde International Association – a group of charities from Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom that support us.