Firstly, an apology to my family for not letting them know that Ems and I were spiriting ourselves away to an animal refuge for 2 weeks… Bolivian WiFi is sometimes hard to come by! Any road, we are back in La Paz and very, very excited to be telling you about our special experience at La Senda Verde Animal Refuge… enjoy!
Nestled in a valley between the Yungas mountains, La Senda Verde Animal Refuge is a home to animals who have been subject horrific abuse and neglect, whether as pets, or as potential meals – each animal here has a story. Take Maruca for example, the spider monkey whose teeth were pulled out with pliers by her ‘owners’ or Martin the capuchin monkey, who was dressed as a child and given chocolate until his teeth rot, or perhaps Cacao, the male spider monkey who was found roaming the streets of La Paz, having escaped the hellish black market (he jumped into the car of someone who had pulled over to inspect him – thankfully this person knew of the refuge).
Vicky and Marcelo were our hosts, two people who invest every penny, every ounce of strength and all their love into the welfare of these beautiful animals. No two days were the same, whether we were mucking out Amazonian parrots (amazing creatures…they could whistle, chunter, chat and brag); shooing away the majestic macaws, who can open locks with their beaks; giving the tortoises a clean; feeding peanuts to Aruma and Tipni – two extremely rare Andean Spectacled bears; or (and the best by a country mile) working with the wonderful capuchin, spider, howler and squirrel monkeys who call La Senda their home.
To work and learn about monkeys in such an intimate environment was a unique, moving and deeply enriching experience. In a short space of time we studied their feeding habits, social habits, rituals and personalities. Presently, there are 12 spider monkeys which are identified by large elongated arms, with no thumbs – who are also incredibly curious and love physical interaction. The Bolivian red howlers (5 in total) sport a burnt orange hue and are the second loudest creatures on the planet after blue whales, owing to a large hyoid jawbone which becomes the sound cavity for their guttural roars. The small capuchin monkeys (37 in the troop) are widely credited to be the most intelligent of the new-world monkeys. Emma and I observed them use tools; open zips, velcro and buttons; and even meet and greet new additions to their troop with conversation and physical affection.
We made some great friends during our stay (thank you Tess) and will continue to champion animal rights and raise awareness of the plights that face Amazonian creatures. Vicky and Marcelo run this refuge purely for animals and not for profit – whatever money they have pays for food or medicine for these creatures, so if you would like to learn more (or even better - make a donation) visit http://www.sendaverde.com/ This place is special and a force for good in a world that all too often, forgets to take care of all its residents
Canelo, the male howler monkey – perhaps the most handsome animal on the planet.
A squirrel monkey keeps a watchful eye.
Nayra gives us a cursory glance before feeding time.
1…
2…
and 3. Leo – I shall never forget you.
Neither will Emma.
Chiara in her customary pose – she found a kindred spirit in Emma as they both love cuddles.
Angelic Uva.
Soon-to-be alpha male spider monkey Cacao.
Dear, dear Uva (special thanks to Daniel Blomfeld for this picture). The two of them were best friends.
Chiara balefully gazing out at the Yungas mountains.
Sasha the tree ocelot. This photo by Ems is a blinder – thank you Sasha for being the perfect model.
Forever friends.
Footnote
It got us thinking… why would anyone want to keep an animal in a cage as a pet?
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