Rescue Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
"Conserving wildlife, inspiring coexistence"
At YAGUARÁ, we implement a wide range of initiatives to achieve our conservation goals. From wildlife monitoring and scientific research to species recovery and community engagement, we are committed to creating a lasting impact on biodiversity and ecosystem preservation—always ensuring that our conservation and research efforts are practical, applied, and action-driven.
ABOUT YAGUARÁ
Yaguará is a wildlife conservation project founded in 2006 in the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, with a primary focus on the conservation of jaguars and their prey.
Over the years, the project has expanded its efforts to include the conservation of various species and ecosystems, working on wildlife monitoring and research, environmental education, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, conservation breeding programs, sustainability strategies and partnerships. We are dedicated to protecting the rich biodiversity and natural habitats of the Osa Peninsula and beyond.
Yaguará is committed to engaging local communities and stakeholders in our conservation efforts. Our mission is to foster a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife, promoting environmental education and sustainable practices. We are passionate about creating a future where wildlife thrives, and people live in harmony with nature.
CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Wildlife Rescue Center
The YAGUARÁ Wildlife Rescue Center is the only one in the entire Osa Peninsula and plays a vital role in the care, recovery, and release of wild animals affected by accidents, habitat loss, orphaned or human interaction, with the goal of returning them to the wild whenever possible.
Each animal receives specialized care: veterinary attention, physical rehabilitation, and a diet tailored to its species. Every animal that can be released, is returned to the wild. Those that cannot survive on their own—whether due to injury, being kept as pets, or human imprinting—remain in our sanctuary and play a vital role in Environmental Education.
One of the biggest challenges we face is the lack of a fully equipped wildlife clinic. Despite limited resources, we’ve managed to save and rehabilitate many animals. However, we urgently need an anesthesia machine, X-ray, oxygen system, and other essential medical equipment to provide more efficient and professional care.
We collaborate with SINAC, SENASA, NGOs universities, lodges, local businesses, and community members. Still, the main challenge remains financial. We need support to hire maintenance and construction staff, improve infrastructure, purchase medical equipment, and sustain daily operations.
In the future, we hope to welcome national and international volunteers and establish a regional wildlife veterinary clinic. Your support can make a real difference!
Left: Red lored amazon (Amazona autumnalis) attacked by dogs. Middle: Coati (Nasua narica) with mange problems. Right: Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) confiscated by SINAC because it was kept as a pet.
Izquierda: Manigordo (Leopardus pardalis) atacado por perros tras depredar gallinas domésticas. Derecha: Tepezcuintle (Cuniculus paca) ingresó herido.
Wildlife Sanctuary & Environmental Education
YAGUARÁ’s Wildlife Sanctuary is home to animals that cannot be released back into the wild—whether due to physical injuries, human imprinting, or confiscation. Here, they find a safe, dignified space with a renewed purpose where visitors can experience them up close in a safe and natural environment while learning about conservation and the vital role each species plays in the ecosystem.
But the sanctuary is more than just a refuge—it is a powerful tool for environmental education. In the Osa Peninsula, many local residents have never had the chance to visit Corcovado National Park or see species like the tapir or ocelot. And how can we ask someone to protect what they’ve never had the chance to know? That’s why we offer educational visits for both tourists and local communities, including schools and special groups. Every tour is a chance to connect with wildlife, learn their stories, and understand the threats they face. Visitors hear the real-life journeys of these animals—how they arrived, why they can’t be released, and what we can all do to protect those still living in the wild.
Currently, tours are led by the founder herself, but in the future we hope to train additional guides, improve trail infrastructure, and add benches, platforms, and educational materials to enhance the visitor experience. We truly believe that education creates change. When people understand the value of wildlife, they become allies in its protection. This has a direct impact on our release programs—the more knowledge and empathy there is, the less fear and more conservation we inspire.
Breeding program to recover populations
We breed key species to strengthen their populations and contribute to ecosystem restoration, ensuring their long-term survival.
YAGUARÁ’s conservation breeding program was born from a clear vision: to recover wild populations of endangered species and restore the ecological balance of the region. The species were carefully selected based on their ecological roles, particularly as prey for large cats or as indicators of forest health:
- White-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari): the jaguar’s main prey, critically endangered in Costa Rica.
- Collared peccary (Pecari tajacu): essential prey for pumas and jaguars, key to reducing human-wildlife conflict.
- Red-brocket deer (Mazama temama): We wanted to breed this specie but populations are low, though breeding was not possible due to lack of individuals in captivity. So we are breeding white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that means prey availability for pumas and jaguars, and a chance for white-lipped peccaries.
- Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii): a keystone species and major seed disperser, with highly threatened populations outside protected areas.
The goal is to release animals into areas where these species once lived, either to reinforce declining populations or, to rewild degraded landscapes and restore lost biodiversity.
The program has had positive results with collared peccaries, white-tailed deer and tapir. Breeding white-lipped peccaries has been more difficult—only nine individuals were received in over a decade. Recently, new animals have arrived, raising hopes of establishing a viable breeding group.
To ensure genetic diversity, animals are accepted from across the country, mixing genetic lines and avoiding inbreeding. We are open to collaborations with international zoos and conservation institutions, and hope to acquire more GPS collars to track released individuals and conduct applied research. This project has the potential to transform the future of key forest species—it just needs the support to make it possible.
Up left: White-tailed deer baby (Odocoileus virginianus). Down left: Collared peccary babies (Pecari tajacu). Left: Baby tapir (Tapirus bairdii) with his mom.
Research & Monitoring
At YAGUARÁ, we believe that conservation must go hand in hand with knowledge. That’s why all our research efforts are applied—designed to generate real data that guide meaningful decisions and improve wildlife management strategies.
Our primary research tool has been the use of camera traps, which allow us to monitor the presence, movement patterns, and behavior of key species such as jaguars, pumas, and their prey. These studies have revealed not only the use of private lands by big cats, but also the threats they face there—particularly illegal killings. This critical information led us to create a depredation compensation program and strengthen our collaboration with hunters, landowners, and local communities. We aim to reactivate this program soon, continuing our long-term strategy for coexistence and conservation.
Research also plays a vital role in identifying suitable release sites for rehabilitated wildlife. We carry out habitat assessments to ensure that each animal is released into an area where it can thrive. These evaluations include food and water availability, presence of predators or human threats, and the ecological integrity and connectivity of the landscape. This careful planning allows us to prioritize animal welfare and maximize the chances of successful reintegration into the wild.
In addition, we have contributed to genetic analyses that proved essential in detecting signs of isolation and inbreeding—such as in the case of pumas in the Osa Peninsula. These findings inspired the creation of our conservation breeding program, focused on restoring genetic diversity and long-term population health.
Although we are not yet collaborating with universities or research institutions, our work has been entirely driven by private initiative and an unwavering commitment to wildlife. Our next goals include acquiring better research equipment, expanding our facilities, welcoming scientific volunteers, and monitoring future releases with GPS collars.
One of the jaguars captured by camera traps: Jaguars have unique spot patterns—no two individuals are alike. These rosette-like markings act like fingerprints, allowing researchers to identify each jaguar and monitor them over time. Interestingly, the pattern on the left side of the body is different from the right, so photographing both sides is necessary to confirm an individual's identity. This method is critical for estimating population size, tracking movements, and understanding the dynamics of wild jaguar populations.
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