Jaguar Rescue Center, Wildlife rehabilitation center in Cahuita, Costa Rica
The Jaguar Rescue Center is a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Cahuita, on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, where injured or orphaned animals such as sloths, monkeys, birds, and reptiles receive medical care. The site includes a veterinary hospital, recovery areas, and large enclosures where animals are prepared for release back into the forest.
The center was founded in the early 2000s by Encar García and Sandro Álvarez, starting as a small private effort to care for hurt animals from the surrounding area. Demand grew steadily, and what began as a home-based project became a recognized facility with a full veterinary unit and a trained team.
The center takes its name not from a jaguar but from a jaguarundi, a small wild cat that lived there in the early days. Guides tend to share personal stories about the animals they care for, which gives the visit a very direct and human feel.
The facility offers guided tours that take visitors through the different sections of the grounds, including the enclosures and the veterinary area. Sturdy footwear is a good idea since parts of the path can be muddy, especially after rain.
A large share of the animals admitted to the center have been hurt by contact with power lines, which is one of the leading causes of injury in this part of Costa Rica. To address this, the team works with energy authorities to insulate lines and build wildlife crossing structures over busy roads.
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