Wildlife Rescue, Care & Rehabilitation
Rescuing, caring for, and rehabilitating wildlife affected by trafficking, habitat loss, and human impact.
From wildlife rescue to long-term care and rehabilitation, we give rescued animals in Bolivia a second chance at life.
Through our rescue, care, and rehabilitation programs, we provide rescued wildlife with a safe environment, expert treatment, and the opportunity to recover from trauma. While some animals can return to the wild, many require lifelong care. Every effort is focused on improving their wellbeing and restoring natural behaviors.
Wildlife Rescue & Legal Protection
CIWY works closely with the appropriate authorities in accordance with Bolivian law (Environmental Law 1333, Article 111) to rescue wild animals from markets, fairs, zoos, circuses, restaurants, and private homes. Some animals are brought to us by the Bolivian police, while others are voluntarily surrendered by individuals who previously kept them as pets. In many cases, we act as custodians for these animals, as government institutions often lack the resources and infrastructure to provide proper care.
Animal Care & Individual Rehabilitation Plans
All rescued animals are cared for in one of our sanctuaries, where our professional team assesses each individual and develops a tailored care plan addressing both physical health and psychological wellbeing. Many animals arrive suffering from malnutrition, parasites, injuries, digestive issues, and severe trauma caused by human interaction.
In many cases, release into the wild is not possible, as these animals were deprived of learning essential survival skills from their own species. When this happens, our focus is on providing the highest possible quality of life — including a species-appropriate diet, suitable living space, regular exercise, and daily environmental enrichment to encourage natural behaviors.
For social species, we aim to integrate individuals into existing groups or carefully form new ones, sometimes allowing them to live in semi-wild conditions. Over the years, CIWY has developed extensive expertise in the specialised care of rescued wildlife, particularly New World primates and felines, and regularly supports other organisations and authorities with its knowledge.
Rehabilitation & Return to the Wild
Rehabilitation is the process of restoring an animal’s health, wellbeing, and natural behaviors. For some individuals, this can be achieved relatively quickly, while others who have suffered severe neglect or abuse may require months or even years of dedicated care. Each animal, as well as social groups, follows an individual rehabilitation plan tailored to their specific needs.
The ultimate goal is always to return animals to the wild. However, this is not always possible. Through years of experience and commitment, CIWY has successfully rehabilitated and reintroduced various species, with notable success among capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and howler monkeys, which can develop and practice survival skills together before being released as groups.
Depending on their condition and species, some animals live in semi-wild groups, while others participate in controlled outings from their enclosures using runner or rope systems with trained volunteers. Animals that cannot be released or safely handled remain in protected environments, where specialised systems allow them to move freely without direct human interaction.
