Wildlife Rescue Centre in Cerro Alux

ARCAS has broken ground in its long-term capital campaign to establish a permanent rescue center and offices in the Cerro Alux Reserve, on the outskirts of Guatemala City.  The ARCAS central office and rescue center is currently housed in San Lucas in a rented house that is much too small for its needs, especially for the needs of the confiscated animals it receives.  Animals received at the central office are often the result of confiscations on the part of its government counterparts, the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) and the Guatemala “green police” (DIPRONA).  Under Guatemalan law, if there has been an arrest of a trafficker, the animals are considered physical evidence in the trial and ARCAS must maintain the animals in its San Lucas facilities until the trial has been concluded, something that may take years.  The central office also receives ex-pets and injured animals from the highlands that need special care and rehabilitation. 

The objective of the new Cerro Alux facility is to give these animals the care they need as well as to construct permanent administrative facilities for ARCAS.  In 2018, ARCAS obtained usufruct rights from the Municipality of San Lucas for a 2000m² piece of land in the Cerro Alux Reserve. There it is building its offices and will transfer the animals currently held in the central office where they will be able to enjoy larger enclosures, flight cages and beautiful, natural surroundings.  The new site is also next to the Senderos de Alux municipal park and is part of the Cordillera Alux Reserve so it offers excellent opportunities to help in the administration of the reserve and to conduct environmental education activities. 

To date, we have built the perimeter wall for the site.  (Due to its remote location, security is unfortunately a concern in Cerro Alux)  We have also installed electrical and water systems, and are currently building housing for the nightwatchman.  We hope to begin construction of the new office in the coming weeks and in the fall, the construction of the clinic, holding enclosures and flight cages. 

Once we have a permanent night watchman living on site, we will begin the process of transferring the animals to the new site.  We are especially looking forward to having sufficient flight cages for the many owls, hawks and falcons that we receive. 

Our many thanks to everyone who is helping us fulfill our dream of having a permanent office and better installations for the wild animals in our care at the central office.  Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Giving Tuesday campaign in November, and also to our good friends Michael Bostelmann and Glenda Salazar, as well as to Hidrotecnia (who donated the water pump), and RECASA (who donated office furniture and equipment).  We are a ways off from achieving our dream, so please consider making a donation and sharing this campaign in your network.  

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Links:

• ARCAS website