La Senda Verde

At 3,600 ft. in Bolivia, near the bottom of the Andes, and near the village of Yolosa, is La Senda Verde, an animal refugee. This is where we ended our bike ride (see earlier post). It was snowing at the top of the mountain, where we started our ride, and as you can see, it was beautiful at this latitude. We were the only ones in our group who stayed the night, and I am so glad we did. Spending time here will definitely be a highlight of this trip.



A little background:

A husband and wife had this land and used it as a vacation spot for their family. A friend had a monkey that they had rescued from somewhere and needed someplace for it to heal and be safe. The owners of La Senda took the monkey to this land and that is how they started. Word got out and now they work with several agencies that help animals in need. They mostly come from illegal trade or from people who thought it would be cool to keep a wild animal as a "pet".

Check out their website: http://www.sendaverde.com/





The bridge that takes you over to the refugee.





Jordan with Nina, a spider monkey. There is no doubt in my mind that one day Jordan will return here or to another refugee to work with animals. We had to pull her away when it was time to go. One time I was walking down the path and came around the corner and there was Jordan curled up in the corner with a monkey. Another time I look out the "tent" and Jordan was walking down the path holding hands with a monkey.



Wyatt is much more a bird man. He liked the monkeys but he LOVES birds. Never knew. This was his favorite, Willy. Willy was a "House Bird." They clipped his wings too close and he will never fly again. I just can't imagine. Birds should fly.

Wyatt with a spider monkey. They are so loving. But the workers here really would rather see them in the wild. There are reasons with each animal why they can not be re-released.

The Spectacle Black Bear is the only bear native to Bolivia and is endangered. La Senda Verde has managed to rescue one. Here we are feeding it peanuts, her favorite snack. I know you see a fence but believe me she has an awesome "cage". REALLY big, like half and acre big. She even has a natural river running through it and a mountain. They hide her food through out the area so she can forge. Much better than someone's backyard where she was chained up.

They lure her away with peanuts while another volunteer cleans her food area and hide food. She actually eats porridge for breakfast.

So we were sitting on the balcony of our treehouse when a parrot flew into the tree right next to us. So we gave it a cracker. Well next thing we know there are six of them and now they are on the treehouse, inches from us, and wanting more crackers! We finally have to go in and they start pecking at the screens on the windows. TOO FUNNY - ATTACK OF THE PARROTS !

This was our amazing TREE HOUSE. It was so much fun. It had no beds, and after riding all day I could have used one, but sleeping up in the trees in the jungle was awesome. I was actually getting dressed in the morning, and you know how you know someone is watching you? I looked out the window and there was a monkey looking in!

This is how you had to get to the treehouse. This long bridge that only one person could be on at a time. Whenever someone was coming across the bridge the whole treehouse would shake.

This monkey was funny. She loved to have you blow in her mouth. Unfortunatly she also loves to kiss. She and I had a moment!

Jordan spent hours here playing with the monkeys. They just come and go pretty much on their own. The volunteers play with them and so we joined in the fun. Jordan and I both have monkeys on our laps. The water bottle next to me was a great toy. They all wanted it. They are like children, when one has something the others want it.

Wyatt and monkeys. His Yankee hat was also a hit with the monkeys. At one point a spider monkey had it on his head. I have a picture somewhere will post it when I find it. We later found Wyatt's hat down by the river.

This truly was an amazing experience and already when my kids see birds or animals in cages they talk about La Senda Verde. I am so proud that they are taking things from this trip and will better their community with the things they are learning!