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Proyecto Asis: A Second Chance for Costa Rica’s Wildlife

In the heart of La Fortuna, at the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano, lies a place dedicated to giving wild animals a second chance. Surrounded by tropical rainforest and extraordinary biodiversity, Proyecto Asis rescues, rehabilitates, and protects animals that have suffered because of human actions.

Its mission goes far beyond veterinary care. The center works to return freedom to animals that have been victims of illegal wildlife trafficking, accidents, habitat destruction, and mistreatment. Guided by respect for life, conservation, education, and animal welfare, every rescue is an opportunity to repair part of the damage humans have caused.

A Reality We Often Don’t See

People who want a wild animal as a pet are not looking for an adult. They want a baby.

The problem is that babies have mothers who protect them.

So many traffickers simply kill the mother.

It’s that simple. It’s that cruel.

Would we consider it acceptable if we were talking about humans?

When the victims are animals, we too often look the other way.

Many of the animals that arrive at Proyecto Asis are victims of this cruel reality.

Rescuing and Rehabilitating Wildlife

The center cares for animals confiscated from the illegal pet trade, as well as injured and orphaned wildlife. Sloths electrocuted by power lines, animals hit by vehicles, and young animals separated from their families are just some of the cases they receive.

Each animal undergoes veterinary treatment and rehabilitation with one goal in mind: returning to the wild whenever possible. Specialists carefully assess whether an animal can survive independently before releasing it back into its natural habitat.

For those that cannot be released due to permanent injuries or long-term captivity, Proyecto Asis provides a safe and dignified home for life.

Stories That Leave a Mark

Behind every rescued animal is a story of suffering, separation, and human cruelty, often driven by nothing more than a selfish desire.

What visitors see at Proyecto Asis is not simply a collection of animals, but the consequences of choices humans have made. Every animal has a story worth telling.

Sometimes Helping Means Not Interfering

One of the most important lessons taught by wildlife professionals is that loving nature does not always mean intervening.

At the rescue center, we learned this lesson through the story of a young ocelot currently in care. A person found the animal alone and assumed it had been abandoned, so they picked it up thinking they were saving its life. Before bringing it to the center, however, the ocelot was shown to many people and handled by several of them. By the time it arrived at the rescue center, it could no longer be safely reunited with its mother.

Today, the ocelot remains under the care of wildlife professionals, who work to ensure that it does not lose its natural instincts. Their goal is to give it the best possible chance of being reintroduced into the wild in the future.

As the staff explained:

“If you find a baby wild animal and think it has been abandoned, don’t touch it. Nature knowswhat to do. Nature does not always need human help.”

In many cases, the mother is nearby. The best way to help is often to observe from a distance and contact experts only when an animal is clearly injured, orphaned, or in danger.

More Than a Rescue Center

Proyecto Asis also educates visitors about wildlife conservation and the consequences of illegal animal trafficking. Through its work, it encourages people to see wild animals not as pets or attractions, but as living beings that belong in nature.

If you ever visit Costa Rica, take the time to visit this center. Beyond seeing animals, you will discover a little-known but deeply cruel reality that affects thousands of living beings every year.

Proyecto Asis is more than a wildlife sanctuary. It is a reminder that animals, too, deserve the chance to live free. And that understanding their stories is the first step toward changing them.

 
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