Nosara Wildlife Refuge

We arrived at the Nosara Refuge for Wildlife at 9:56 am. We were going to take a tour of the refuge. The first thing we did was sit outside and watch a slideshow. The slideshow showed us how the refuge works and how it was founded by a woman named Brenda Bombard who moved to Nosara in 1998 with five children, two dogs, two cats, two ferrets and 23 boxes of stuff.

The refuge was built originally for Howler Monkeys because of all the problems cropping up with modern society. Deforestation was one of the biggest problems since Howler Monkeys are very particular with their travel routes and if their trees are cut down, they'll take to electrical cords as a route.  If a Howler Monkey steps on an uninsulated wire and touches a second wire, it will get electrocuted. If its a female, it is likely she will have her baby attached to her stomach and she will call for help. Then, all her family will come and try to help her and there will be electrocuted monkeys everywhere. Amazingly, the babies survive because they aren't touching the cords, however, the refuge has to come and save the orphans before dogs or other animals get to them.

The "Camouflaged" Macaw

Our guide Adriana stopped for questions and my sister Ella raised her hand. "Yes?" said Adriana, "uhh your bird" replied Ella. On the ground crouching was a Scarlet Macaw apparently trying to be inconspicuous, but failing due to his bright plumage. Adriana gasped and playfully seized a broom. The bird instantly retreated into a corner. Adriana stuck out the broom handle and the Macaw obediently hopped on. Then she put it into its cage and locked the door. "He thinks he's the best camouflage artist in the world" said Adriana. "We've had to change the lock four times because he keeps escaping." The Macaw opened and closed his talons as though waving hello.

There came a cluck from down below and an obese chicken waddled out of nowhere. "Does that even count as a rescued wild animal?", I asked, "its a chicken", I stated. "Her name is Henrietta and she was here when Brenda arrived so we adopted her.  She eats scorpions, tarantulas and she once ate a baby Coral Snake!", said Adriana.

We then entered the  monkey nursery and washed our hands. The nursery looked like an ordinary living room, with a  tan couch, porch window, and a gray tabby cat sitting outside. The one thing that showed this was no ordinary room was the abundance of cages with fluffy blankets draped over them. Adriana went into one and pulled out what looked like a gray ball of fluff attached to a teddy bear. "This is a baby Howler Monkey" she said. The fluff reared it's head and a gray, big eyed face looked at me. You cannot possibly imagine how cute the baby Howler Monkey was with it's big brown eyes and its tiny face and hands. It was like a fluffy human infant, except not as loud.  "Baby Howler Monkeys have to cling to their mom for a few months so this one is clinging to the teddy" said Adriana.  This baby monkey had been orphaned and the refuge will be taking care of it for a minimum of three years!  As we were leaving, the tabby cat looked at me and I gasped. One of its eyes was protruding out of the side of its head. I gulped and retreated, the cat went back to ignoring me.

Stella, A Baby Howler Monkey.

We left the nursery and went outside again. Adriana showed us a porcupine who had a habit of jumping down from its post and clinging to your head, a tiny magpie jay who couldn't fly, a pizote, an enormous green parrot who had been taught some unrepeatable words by its previous owner, a baby squirrel whose mom and siblings had been attacked by blue jays, and two grown up Howler Monkeys who we fed through the bars of their cage.  After some cool hibiscus tea, questions and comments, we thanked Adriana for everything, and went home. I was so inspired!

Adult Male Howler Monkey