I’ve been fortunate enough to be offered an opportunity to volunteer at a private wildlife sanctuary in Toledo, approximately 30 km from Iparoma. It’s an opportunity I’ve been hoping for, and one I’m really looking forward to.My duties will be quite varied, from feeding and personal assessments to camera monitoring and assisting with the night tours. I’m expecting no two days will be quite the same!
I’m hoping to start next Monday or Tuesday, depending on when they can arrange to collect me. They’re currently waiting for a large shipment of squash to arrive from Asunción, and they can collect me at the same time.
Birthing season is expected to begin within the next two weeks, which should make things particularly interesting. The sanctuary also has quite a few international biologists visiting to collect samples and undertake research. Last week, they had a biologist visiting from Kansas who was collecting sperm from a rather large lizard. Certainly an unusual item on someone’s research itinerary.
The area is home to tapirs, peccaries, anteaters and plenty of other Chaco wildlife.
For someone who has spent so much time working with animals, this is a wonderful opportunity and very much a dream come true. I’m looking forward to learning more about the wildlife, lending a hand and seeing what unfolds over the coming weeks.
It seems my Chaco adventure has taken another rather interesting turn!
Their website is: www.cccipy.org
