Volunteering with Animals
Non-government funded "Inti Wara Yassi" animal sanctuary, bordering the hot, humid jungles of Parque Machia south of Cochabamba, is Bolivia´s only refuge for abused wild animals and relies solely on volunteer efforts or private donations to exist. Its name apparently means "sun, star and moon" in the local Indian languages of Quechua, Aymara and Guarani; the principal Bolivian cultures.
Started in 1997 by a local named ´Juan Carlos Antezana´, the sanctuary specialises in the ongoing care and rehabilitation for over 1000 animals including monkeys, birds, tortoises, coatis, sloths, snakes and cats; most were illegally poached, living in disgusting conditions within private homes, hotels and circuses beforehand.
Believing this to be a potentially unique experience whilst wanting to stop and rest in one place, I returned from Peru to small ´Villa Tunari´ (just 5 hours south from Cochabamba) with the intention of offering my volunteering services. With the exception of ´more dodgy bus journeys´ to get there, I knew little of what to expect apart from knowing that they housed a few large South American cats.
During a quick introductory tour, it was explained that once volunteers were assigned to certain animals it was forbidden to visit other animals without prior permission AND that photography was forbidden during the 1st week. Perhaps worse (or better depending on how you look at it), I was offered to work with "Roy", a 5 year old Puma in his prime reputed as the largest and most active male in the park who runs his excercise trails all day, frequently to the result of sprained joints or broken bones of his carers. *gulp*
Concerned about my prior knee injury yet finding the idea of walking a Puma quite an opportunity, I decided to give the latter option a go whilst clearly admitting my concerns to park coordinators in the event I needed a swap into the monkey or bird areas instead. Although my knee certainly didnt feel quite right when walking with weight on it (ie. a full backpack), I had not really tested it for months and my next blog entry may perhaps surprise you as to the results :)
Non-government funded "Inti Wara Yassi" animal sanctuary, bordering the hot, humid jungles of Parque Machia south of Cochabamba, is Bolivia´s only refuge for abused wild animals and relies solely on volunteer efforts or private donations to exist. Its name apparently means "sun, star and moon" in the local Indian languages of Quechua, Aymara and Guarani; the principal Bolivian cultures.
Started in 1997 by a local named ´Juan Carlos Antezana´, the sanctuary specialises in the ongoing care and rehabilitation for over 1000 animals including monkeys, birds, tortoises, coatis, sloths, snakes and cats; most were illegally poached, living in disgusting conditions within private homes, hotels and circuses beforehand.
Believing this to be a potentially unique experience whilst wanting to stop and rest in one place, I returned from Peru to small ´Villa Tunari´ (just 5 hours south from Cochabamba) with the intention of offering my volunteering services. With the exception of ´more dodgy bus journeys´ to get there, I knew little of what to expect apart from knowing that they housed a few large South American cats.
During a quick introductory tour, it was explained that once volunteers were assigned to certain animals it was forbidden to visit other animals without prior permission AND that photography was forbidden during the 1st week. Perhaps worse (or better depending on how you look at it), I was offered to work with "Roy", a 5 year old Puma in his prime reputed as the largest and most active male in the park who runs his excercise trails all day, frequently to the result of sprained joints or broken bones of his carers. *gulp*
Concerned about my prior knee injury yet finding the idea of walking a Puma quite an opportunity, I decided to give the latter option a go whilst clearly admitting my concerns to park coordinators in the event I needed a swap into the monkey or bird areas instead. Although my knee certainly didnt feel quite right when walking with weight on it (ie. a full backpack), I had not really tested it for months and my next blog entry may perhaps surprise you as to the results :)
