Save Guatemalan Wildlife and Biodiversity!!!

Greetings from all of us here at ARCAS in Guatemala.  We continue our efforts to save Guatemalan wildlife and habitat.  We would like to share with you some of our recent accomplishments. 

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

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. 

We are also continuing our participation in Loros Sin Fronteras, and with our colleagues in that consortium, are carrying out a regional publicity campaign against wildlife trafficking.  https://lorossinfronteras.com/  

We are celebrating our second year anniversary at our Biodiversity Education Center in PetenCeBio!  We know that education is the most powerful weapon that we can use to end wildlife trafficking and change the world for the better.  It is for this reason that we will continue fighting for the conservation of our environment.

Also, you can help by becoming an ARCAS monthly donor.  You can do this via GlobalGiving.  Recurring donors – even for small donations – are especially helpful as these are resources that we can count on from month-to-month to help us continue our work.   

Thanks very much for your support for our wildlife conservation activities in Guatemala, especially in these times of crisis.  Your donation helps us continue our efforts to save the wild ones of the earth.  

Links:

• http://www.arcasguatemala.org