Intro
In Costa Rica, the phrase “Pura Vida” is a popular national expression symbolising happiness, harmony, and respect for life and nature. It reflects the country’s image as a peaceful and environmentally conscious nation.
The reality though, is very different. Every day, an animal in Costa Rica is electrocuted. Most do not survive.
In a country known for its lush biodiversity and global reputation for conservation, the silent crisis of wildlife electrocution is growing. Sloths, howler monkeys, anteaters and other species are being severely injured - or dying - after coming into contact with uninsulated power lines. This isn’t an accident. It’s a preventable tragedy caused by unsafe infrastructure and inaction. This is not Pura Vida.
A Preventable Crisis
Animals can’t tell the difference between a tree branch and a power line - until it’s too late. As forests are fragmented by unregulated construction, wildlife are forced to navigate through urban areas, often using electrical wires as passageways. The result is devastating.
The survival rate after electrocution is less than 1%. Those who make it to a rescue center face lengthy recovery times, and in many cases, permanent disability.
The impact ripples far beyond each individual. When an alpha male in a howler monkey troop dies, a new male may kill all his predecessor’s infants. Orphaned animals need long-term care and rehabilitation. This crisis is not only about individual animals, it’s about populations, ecosystems, and the future of Costa Rica’s wildlife.
The Law Exists. It’s Just Not Being Followed.
In January 2024, the Costa Rican government took a groundbreaking step by publishing Executive Decree No. 44329, mandating that all electricity providers and regulatory bodies take specific, enforceable actions to prevent wildlife electrocution. This includes identifying high-risk zones, insulating exposed cables, protecting transformers, and working with authorized rescue centers.
But over a year later, the decree remains largely unimplemented. Animals are still suffering. Infrastructure remains unsafe. And authorities have yet to enforce the protections that are already required by law.
What We’re Asking For
We’re not asking for new legislation. We’re asking for existing laws to be enforced.
The This is Not Pura Vida campaign is demanding:
- Full, national implementation of Decree No. 44329
- Accountability from power companies and government agencies
- Public transparency and timely reporting of progress
- Immediate prioritization of the most dangerous areas for wildlife
This is a legal obligation, a conservation imperative, and a moral necessity.
You Can Help
This is not Pura Vida. Not until we take action.
Sign the petition today to demand the enforcement of Executive Decree No. 44329 and call on authorities to protect the wildlife that makes Costa Rica one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth.
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