At amaZOOnico we take in wild animals who were victims of illegal trafficking, rehabilitate them and reintroduce them back into their natural habitats.
We also take care of those who cannot be released, and carry out environmental education activities with visitors. We do this by closely collaborating with the local “Kichwa” community.
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”Wildlife trade in Latin America is a serious threat against biodiversity.
Thriving, biodiverse ecosystems are critical for the livelihoods of forest dwelling communities and all of humanity.
Yet, every year millions of animals are taken from the Amazon, causing local extinctions and the collapse of entire ecosystems that crumble when wild animals are not around to fulfill their natural role.
At amaZOOnico, we don’t silently observe this demise! We take action, pouring our hearts and sweat into combatting these issues and preserving the rights and integrity of all inhabitants of our planet”
Sandra Almeyda, M.Sc. & Dr. Scott Ford
– Administrators of amaZOOnico
We are a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center located in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Since our establishment in 1993, we have cared for over three thousand animals and host about four hundred at any point in time. Furthermore, we have successfully conducted several biodiversity conservation projects, such as the reintroduction and habitat management of white-bellied spider monkey! An endangered species critical to the Amazon rainforest ecosystem.
We are privileged to be located within the Arajuno-Alto Napo Key Biodiversity Area, and the corridor connecting the emblematic Yasuni and Sumaco Galeras National Parks. Along with our work of caring for animals at the center, we co-manage Selva Viva, a 1750-ha protected forest, adjacent to our facilities.
Among our biggest strengths is being one of the few rescue centers in the world which belongs to an indigenous community. Our co-founder and the majority of our team are Kichwas, whose ancestors have occupied the Ecuadorian Amazon for centuries. Our strategic location and partnership with the local communities surrounding our facilities vastly favors our conservation projects.
Louis Pasteur once said, “science is the torch which illuminates the world.” If this is the case, then amaZOOnico is shining very brightly! In 2022, amaZOOnico has already welcomed four amazing researches Miriam Sager (Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland), Mario Alononso Santamaria (University of Alcala, Spain), Marieke Mom (Wageningen University, Netherlands), and Ruth van der Stappen (Wageningen University, Netherlands). Miriam conducted surveys to better understand the volunteer experience at amaZOOnico. Her results provide a nuanced view that can assist managerial decision making to optimize operations at the center. Mario Alonso assessed the behavioral impacts of enrichments on ocelots at the center. His findings will ensure that our wild cats stay physically and mentally healthy. Ruth and Marieke observed the liberated spider monkey group around the center to better understand their behavior and their reactions to certain environmental stimuli. Their work will help inform our spider monkey release program including our current efforts with Kasha, Watson, and Corny at Makisapa Allpa.
In addition to these four talented individuals, amaZOOnico will welcome two more researchers later this year, Rozanda Jin (Wageningen University, Netherlands) and Roxana Ballon (University of Amsterdam, Netherlands). Rozanda will be the first researcher to assess our tapir release program by comparing the ecosystem impacts of our semi-wild group (America, Pumpkin and family) with those of wild tapirs in Selva Viva. Roxana will continue our efforts to assess the behavior of the liberated spider monkey group by assessing their spatial memory. We look forward to hosting both!
Please visit our website amazoonicorescue.org or contact us on social media (see icons below).
We are happy to hear from you and we will try to answer all your questions.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to info@amazoonicorescue.org
