Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary is a sanctuary located in Nosara,
Costa Rica, that specializes in lifetime care for wildlife with disabilities and
for those that cannot survive in the wild. The sanctuary’s work not only
provides a safe and spacious home for those with no hope of a future in the
wild, but also takes steps to improve their lives through specialized care
focusing on specific disabilities and improving their movement and quality of
life.
Who we are?
Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary was
founded in 2009 by Vicki Coan as a non-profit rescue, rehabilitation, and
release center specializing in golden-mantled howler monkeys. The sanctuary is
based in Nosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. It sits on a 5-acre property, surrounded
by 28-acres of privately protected conservation areas. This provides the
wildlife residing at the sanctuary with an environment surrounded by jungle,
natural sights and sounds.
- What we do?
At Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary we received disable and non releasable wildlife mostly due human encroachment.
Deforestation, development, and fragmentation of their natural habitat has led to daily electrocutions on power lines, dog attacks and injury or death due to fast moving motor vehicles.
The problem begins with rapid development fragmenting the natural habitat of wildlife. Without corridors to travel through on their search for food, they are forced to find other routes. Often there is no choice but for an animal to cross the ground, leaving them vulnerable to dog attacks and vehicle collisions.
As more land is developed for housing and commercial use, more transformers and power lines are being installed. These sit exactly at canopy level, and to unknowing arboreal wildlife provide a useful pathway between trees. There is no law requiring insulation of new power lines and transformers, meaning wildlife using these wires as a pathway are suffering horrific electrocutions.
Sibu become a home for those disable and non-releasable wildlife, giving them a second chance and providing the ongoing care they need everyday.
Our Mission
Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary’s mission is to provide a permanent, spacious sanctuary and ongoing care for wildlife that, due to psychological or physical injury, it is not possible to release back into the wild.
In order to give the animals that survive but have been handicapped the attention, care and safety they need, our goal is to:
- Construct large habitats encasing natural surroundings, designed to meet the specific needs of handicapped residents
- Incorporate daily massage and physical therapy when required
- Provide visual and auditory stimulation
- Develop and research enrichment activities
- Form partnerships with Universities and companies that specialize in prosthetics
Who are we looking for
As a non-profit organization, at Sibu we seek the necessary help to meet the needs not only of our residents but also to mitigate the impact of humans in Nosara and the surrounding areas. We are looking for committed collaborators who share the goal of conserving and protecting the environment to make Nosara and Costa Rica a better place. We are seeking individuals who are dedicated, innovative, and willing to contribute their knowledge and expertise to the local wildlife in the area.
Why choose us: Working in our sanctuary is challenging but very rewarding. Since 2014, we have welcomed volunteers from all walks of life, each with admirable hearts, brimming with ideas, and eager to make the world a better place. At Sibu, collaborators will have the opportunity to have a life-changing experience, working daily with local wildlife, making their days brighter, providing them with the support, assistance, and challenges necessary for their stay at Sibu to be enjoyable.
Furthermore, they will have the chance to immerse themselves in the local culture, experience how Costa Ricans live, and learn firsthand about the social and environmental challenges faced by all residents of Nosara and Costa Rica in general.
The area:
Nosara, Guanacaste its located in the pacific coast of Costa Rica, surrounded by the dry tropical forrest and a calm enviroment. Nosara is well knonw by the safe and calm lifestyle with several yoga and wellness center and known as a perfect spot for surfing.
Close by it's also located the Ostional National Refuge including Playa Pelada and Guiones, the closest beaches from our Sanctuary.
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