The threat we are facing

In 1990, Corcovado National Park had 63 park rangers to protect this unique rainforest. Unfortunately, government support has dropped drastically. Up to a short time ago Corcovado National Park counted with only 10 park rangers to protect an area of 44,484.56 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 (Austrian Children´s Rainforest), Lapa Ríos Hotel and The Betty and Gordon Moore Foundation, we have recently raised money and employed 62 full time park rangers to patrol and protect the area. The number of citations given to 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 hire more park rangers for Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula , as well as providing funds for improvements to 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.

With the funding received with The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation we were able to hire the following employees