Animal rehabilitation for releasing

I am head of pre-release and release area at Wild Sun Rescue, a wildlife rescue center for native species in Costa Rica. I am responsible for ensuring the well-being of the animals at the center once their lives are no longer at risk and they are moved out of the intensive care unit.

I make sure that their physical and mental health is optimal, and that they acquire the necessary condition, skills, and behaviors for their release and survival in the wild. I also work to ensure that the release area for many of the animals meets the appropriate material and ecological conditions.

My job involves establishing standards and protocols for animal care and rehabilitation, while also leading my team to implement the practices set for space habilitation, diets, cleaning and disinfection, environmental enrichment, training, behavior assessment, and more.

I primarily work with howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), but I also work with many other species of birds (psittacines, toucans...), mammals (peccaries, armadillos, anteaters, coatis, raccoons...), and others.