By Colum Muccio | Development Director
ARCAS was established in 1990 to rescue, rehabilitate, release and conserve Guatemalan wildlife. It has three rescue centers where it receives confiscated, injured or otherwise rescued wildlife: in Peten on the edge of the Maya Biosphere Reserve; in Hawaii on the Pacific coast of Guatemala; and at its central offices in San Lucas, on the outskirts of Guatemala City. In recent years, it has received more and more rescued animals in San Lucas, and its limited, rented office facilities there have struggled to accommodate the animals it receives in humane conditions where they can be successfully rehabilitated.
Under this project, ARCAS is continuing its quest to build its own office and improve the facilities for confiscated animals it receives in San Lucas. In 2018, it obtained usufruct rights from the Municipality of San Lucas for a piece of land in the Cerro Alux Reserve. At the new Alux site, wildlife undergoing rehabilitation or being held for legal reasons will be able to enjoy larger enclosures, flight cages and a beautiful, natural setting. Due to the Covid pandemic, this project was put on hold, but in 2022 we re-initiated it and to date, have built a perimetral wall, installed water and electricity and built a guardhouse. Soon, we will begin building our offices, wildlife clinic and rehabilitation enclosures. We especially need large flight enclosures for the numerous highland owls and raptors we receive. Many of the animals received at the Sal Lucas facility have been confiscated from traffickers and for legal reasons, must be held for months or often years until legal proceedings have concluded.
Our many thanks to all who have helped us to date on this very important project, especially Glenda Salazar, Michael Bostelmann, Greg Free, Ben Tamarin, Aurelie Canale, Sarah Helwig, Miguel DeDiego, Patty Finch, Susan Crawford, Stephen Zambarano, Stuart and Katie Hunt, Kathleen Mo Taylor, Fay Gonzalez, Christine Vanderkaap, Bill and Liz Sharp,, Karen Almonaci, Eric Clarke, Harold & Elegia Heintz, Guy Mazula, Carol Singleton, Lorena Velasquez, Claire Helwig, Benjamin Tamarin and Lorena Velasquez.
If you can help us, please make a donation during the upcoming Giving Tuesday campaign this November. Help us save the wildlife of Guatemala!
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