THE THREAT WE ARE FACING:

In 1990, the Corcovado National Park had 63 park rangers to protect this unique rainforest. Unfortunately, the government support has dropped drastically. Up to a short time ago the Corcovado National Park counted with only 10 park rangers to protect an area of 47.788 hectares. This lack of control in the park has led to massive uncontrolled hunting. Scientists are very alarmed with the situation that is occurring in the Osa. Eduardo Carrillo, who is undertaking a long-term study of the jaguars and other felines in the Osa Peninsula, has warned that these animals are in tremendous danger of extinction in the region. Apparently, illegal hunting of wild pigs (white lipped peccaries) inside the national parks has led to a critical decline in the number of wild pigs, which are the primary food source for the jaguars. The decrease in the population of peccaries has caused these large cats to leave their natural habitats, and move into populated areas, in search of easier prey such as goats and dogs. Just a month ago, the people of a community neighboring the national park killed two jaguars, orphaning a cub, which probably did not survive. We need to act quickly to protect the most important population of jaguars on the Pacific Coast of Central America.

With the assistance of organizations such as the Regenwald Der Österriecher, Lapa Ríos Hotel and the Costa Rica Rainforest Foundation, over the last few months we have raised money and employed 8 full time park rangers to patrol and protect the area and also a forestry engineer who has helped us detect anomalies in logging permits. The number of citations given to outlaw loggers and hunters has increased threefold, challenging those who have operated before with impunity.

Nevertheless, in order to stop this destruction we believe that we need to keep hiring park rangers for Corcovado and the rest of the Osa Peninsula, as well as providing funds for improvements on the ranger stations, additional equipment, vehicles and gasoline.

Donations to the Corcovado Foundation will be used to keep hiring park rangers and the strengthening of the Osa Conservation Area administration:

Please find following, the budget necessary for hiring one park ranger for a whole year:

Budget for other needs of the Osa Conservation Area.

In order to keep up the pressure, we are in great need of help from friends like you. At this time, we would welcome any donation as the welfare of this precious natural jewel is still being threatened. Any assistance you can give will be greatly appreciated.

US Citizens interested in making a tax-deductible gift to support conservation efforts in the Osa Peninsula rainforest may consider a gift to the Costa Rican Conservation Fund.  The Costa Rican Conservation Fund (EIN - 72-1575403) is an Illinois Not-for-Profit corporation that is dedicated to supporting and improving conservation efforts in the Osa Peninsula rainforest and has provided valuable support to the Corcovado Rainforest Project in the past.  Contributions to the Costa Rican Conservation Fund are deductible as a charitable contribution to the fullest extent of the law.  If you are interested in making a gift to the Costa Rican Conservation Fund, please address it to the:

Costa Rican Conservation Fund
3166 N. Lincoln Ave., Suite 424
Chicago , IL 60657

Checks and money order can be made out to and mailed to the following address:

Fundación Corcovado,
Interlink 665, P.O. Box 02-5635
Miami, Fl 33102

On behalf of the communities of the Osa Peninsula and our organization, we would like to thank you for supporting our efforts to strengthen the conservation of these protected areas of the Osa by providing funds for hiring park rangers for the National Parks and the Osa.

THE TEAM

Mauricio Sanchez
With the growth of the foundation’s responsibilities in the Osa, we have been forced to increase our number to respond to the size of the task. We have recently received the help of a very dedicated and talented associate. Mauricio Sanchez has a strong background in accounting and an incredible commitment to the chore we are facing ahead. Mauricio speaks fluently three languages and has a broad experience in public relations.

Isabel Moya
We have also been blessed by the arrival of Isabel Moya who has more than nine years of professional experience as an international development practitioner, project manager, and business development specialist for public and private sector projects in developing countries. Isabel found us thru TNC and research about our work on the web and after being touched by the beauty and fragility of Corcovado National Park, she offered us her support ad honorem. She has great ideas about fund raising opportunities and has been in charge of collecting the extensive information needed for the Reserve of the Biosphere Program.

Hans Pfister and Andrea Bonilla
Both graduated from Cornell University, Hans and Andrea work as managers for Lapa Rios. Aware of the problems that the natural areas currently face and with the support of the owners of Lapa Rios, they have started a fund-raising drive to finance the hiring of more park rangers. Currently, they have deposited their first $8000 USD, donated by Lapa Ríos to launch this effort. They have also begun to knock on the doors of tour operators and other hotels in the area to raise further funds for the protection of the national park.

Nichole Du Pont
As resident manager for La Paloma Lodge, Nichole assisted The Jaguars Youth Group by providing us with transportation and other logistics, needed to successfully visit Caño Island Biological Reserve and Corcovado National Park. Nichole is also promoting the volunteer program in the Osa and she will be coordinating it once it gets started.

Donors
We have a long list of donors that throughout these years have been actively supporting the Corcovado Foundation. We should especially mention Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge and La Paloma Lodge that every month make a contribution to our organization. These contributions have helped pay for the salary of our Forestry Engineer, Carlos Madriz.

We should also thank Aguila de Osa Lodge and Jinetes de Osa Lodge that on a daily basis support our efforts by providing lodging and transportation to our team.

Thank you all for your support:

Thanks to everyone’s support and individual efforts the Corcovado Foundation is no longer in danger of extinction, like the fauna we strive to preserve, but has become an important actor in the Drake Bay and Corcovado scenario.

Alejandra Monge
Executive Director