A Conversation with the Founders of Senda Verde Wildlife Animal Sanctuary
Marcelo Levy and Vicky Ossio, Co-Founders of Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary in La Paz, Bolivia.
Why did you start Senda Verde?
We founded Senda Verde in 2003 in the subtropical region east of the Bolivian Andes. With deforestation and wildlife trafficking reaching peak levels, we saw an urgent need to inspire and educate the Bolivian people about the value of the living forest through the conservation of flora and fauna. Senda Verde started as a “green project,” intended to educate Bolivian families on the importance of nature and wildlife. We started with one academic program promoting school camping to educate children on preservation and respect for nature.
Within a year, Marcelo rescued Ciruelo, a baby capuchin monkey that was being taken to La Paz to be sold. Then we rescued Cereza, a female capuchin monkey, and soon two macaws. People started to bring more injured animals found on the road. We had about 15 animals when baby Aruma, an Andean Bear, was rescued near La Paz. Animales SOS contacted us, asking us to take care of the bear. That day changed our life because Senda Verde was on its way to becoming an official wildlife animal sanctuary. Now Senda Verde is home to more than 800 rescued animals, representing more than 64 species.
Which animal resident at Senda Verde do you most personally relate to?
One of the most magnificent lessons of Senda Verde is the understanding that all animals are unique and special and nature is interconnected. For us there is no favorite animal or one that we most relate to. However, Vicky does tell each animal something like this: “Maruka, from all the spider monkeys, you are my favorite because you are the eldest” and “Nina, from all the spider monkeys, you are my favorite because you walk like a ballerina.”
What is your favorite part of the day managing the sanctuary?
Our favorite part is spending time being close to the animals (caring for them and observing their behaviors). Over the course of 20 years, we have found that there is always something new to learn, so every single day is an exciting journey.
Vicky: In addition to being with the animals, I also enjoy working on our new Conservation and Rewilding area with the bees, butterflies, vegetable garden and flowers.
Can you share some of your favorite stories?
The animals are the heart of LSV and it is because of them that the refuge exists.
Each animal has a different and heartbreaking story. Mara was one of the most special - she was a spider monkey who was just 3 months old when she arrived in 2015. Poachers had shot her mother who then fell onto baby Mara and severely injured her back. Sadly Mara was paralyzed from the waist down and never regained full mobility. She also suffered from heart, kidney and liver problems. But throughout her years at Senda Verde she made an impressive emotional recovery and was a happy, intrepid monkey with a wonderful soul and dazzling heart who learned to cope with her situation courageously. She was independent and even succeeded in learning to climb, not letting her disability hold her back. She died peacefully in September of 2019.
Another special resident is Ajayu. In 2016, Senda Verde was informed by authorities that a 4 month old Andean bear had been brutally wounded. His head, nose and jaws were severely fractured, and both eyes blinded by the rocks thrown at his face in the attack by local hunters. He underwent shocking physical and emotional trauma. After a year of convalescence and rigorous rehabilitation at Senda Verde, Ajayu has regained confidence, trust and hope. Today, despite his impaired vision, he is a very affectionate, strong, and happy bear!
The connection between COVID-19 and wet markets has resulted in a wet market ban in Bolivia. How will this affect Senda Verede?
We expect that the police will start to enforce the wet market only after the COVID-19 quarantine is lifted. It will take longer to enforce this in the countryside, where people commonly buy and sell wild animals. Nevertheless, there are well-known wet markets in the cities and these should be the first ones to be affected.
We are optimistic that eventually wildlife trafficking will decrease. The Bolivian Minister of the Environment condemns the wildlife trade and supports the efforts of local governments and municipalities in coordination with animal refuges and activists. We can help by educating our visitors and using social media to spread the word.
What does the future hold for Senda Verde?
There is still much to do as we work with the Bolivian government to lift the ban on reintroduction of wild animals back to their natural habitat. Due to the lack of economic and human resources, there are no wildlife reintroduction programs and strategies. Senda Verde continues to work tirelessly on this effort.
As conversationists, we are increasingly concerned about the planet’s loss of biodiversity. Now more than ever, we must protect and preserve the rainforests and their rich plant and animal life. Senda Verde is doing our part through education programs and our alliances with other sanctuaries and animal and environmental activists. Our hope is that together we can end the deforestation crisis, end the wildlife trade, and curb the threats we face from future pandemics and climate change - it all starts with respecting nature.
