Parque Ambue Ari is owned by CIWY.  It was created in 2002 when the land was bought from a local cacao farmer, with support from the British Gap Year organisation ‘Quest Overseas’. This refuge was created due to the necessity for space to home the increasing number of wild animals that were arriving at Parque Machia. The name Ambue Ari means ‘New Day’ in the native language Guarayo.

Ambue Ari has been designated as an ideal location to care for felines (jaguars, pumas and ocelots), howler monkeys, certain birds which are better suited to the climate there, and a number of other mammals including a tapir, coatis and deer. It is a larger reserve than Machia (800 hectares compared to 36) and is more remote, offering the animals which are received there a fantastic quality of life. There are currently 26 felines in Ambue Ari.

Despite it being a larger reserve, there is still little scope for reintroduction of felines, so the cats are kept in large enclosures during the night, and when possible, taken for walks during the day. The location is basic, with no telephone or electricity, and water taken from a borehole. That said, there is space for approximately 65 volunteers, and the local administrative and veterinary staff are on site permanently.  The vets have facilities to give most basic treatments to the animals, as well as minor surgery. There are plans to build a larger, more established clinic that will expand the capability of the park. Please click here if you feel you can contribute to this worthy cause!

Despite the park having natural protection through mountain and river on two sides, the remaining neighbouring land has suffered severe deforestation due to farming and has suffered further due to annual slash and burn practices by the local farmers. This creates a serious risk of uncontrolled fires creeping into the park land; furthermore, these practices mean that Parque Ambue Ari is now an island of forest which provides refuge to many wild animals, not just those that have been rescued by CIWY.

Ambue Ari is a magical place which never fails to inspire the people who visit it.

Find out more information about Volunteering at Parque Ambue Ari

top