Costa Rica Wildlife Rescue

The illegal wildlife trade devastates animals, tearing them away from their natural habitats and transforming their lives for the worse. These animals that come into our care, are no longer wild. They are unnaturally domesticated, possessing complicated behavioral problems and in some cases even mutilated, to make them less dangerous to handle! We receive many species of reptiles, birds and mammals that sadly were kept illegally as pets, all in need of specialist care from our team of vets and keepers. 

In some cases it’s so serious, that it makes it impossible to release the animals back into the wild, meaning they need a lifetime of sanctuary care.

One victim of the illegal wildlife trade is Paco the orange chinned parakeet. This parakeet was mutilated for “safety reasons” - as you can see below, poor Paco is missing the tip of his beak. This is done to prevent him from biting his “owners” whilst he gets used to being handled. Sadly, this cruelty inflicted on exotic animals is a very common once they become pets. Parakeet beaks are essential for their survival in the wild; it allows them to hold on to food, gives them balance, it’s also used for grooming, eating and defending themselves. 

More recently we have seen wildfires become a more prominent threat to Costa Rica’s wildlife. Hot and dry conditions, often worsened by climate change and climate patterns like El Niño, create the perfect environment for fires to spread—many of which are caused by human activity, including bonfires and land clearing. These fires not only destroy precious habitat but also leave animals severely injured, orphaned, or displaced.

When fires break out, our team works tirelessly to rescue animals in desperate need. Many arrive at our centre with severe burns, dehydration, and life-threatening injuries. Rescuing, treating, and rehabilitating these animals is a long and costly process—but it’s the only chance they have for survival.

Ricardo the raccoon is one of many animals who have suffered because of human-caused wildfires. He once lived peacefully in the wild with his mother, but their home was engulfed in flames when farmland was deliberately set alight. Ricardo survived, but he was left orphaned and badly burned. When he arrived at our center, he was terrified and in pain—his fur singed, and melted plastic fused to his skin, a haunting reminder of the intensity of the fire.

Tragically, some of the wildlife injuries we encounter are the result of entirely preventable attacks by domestic animals, such as dogs and cats. These injuries can be severe, requiring expert medical care and rehabilitation to give the animals the best chance of survival.

In particular, we have seen sea turtles suffering attacks from unsupervised dogs in protected coastal areas where regulations prohibit pets to safeguard biodiversity. When these rules are ignored, vulnerable wildlife is put at risk—not only from direct attacks but also from the destruction of nests and habitats.

Our team has responded to multiple cases where injured turtles required urgent medical intervention. Despite our best efforts, many of these animals do not survive their injuries. These preventable incidents take a significant emotional toll on our rescue team, who work tirelessly to protect and rehabilitate wildlife.

Every loss is a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for stricter enforcement of conservation regulations. By keeping domestic animals under control and respecting protected areas, we can prevent unnecessary suffering and help safeguard our precious wildlife.