Peruvian Amazon Wildlife Rehab and Ecological Research
Internship with Hoja Nueva to participate in wildlife conservation, sustainable farming, and outreach
I had the immense priviledge of interning with UW alumna Dr. Samantha Zwicker at her wildlife research and rehabilitation center, Hoja Nueva, in Madre de Dios, Peru. My work there focused on wildlife conservation and rehabilitation, sustainable farming, domestic animal rescue, and consentual community outreach and support.
Wildlife Conservation and Rehabilitation
Wildlife conservation efforts at Hoja Nueva rely heavily on camera trap grids, which I helped install and maintain. I also conducted frequent surveys of local wildlife, including day and night herpetology walks, avian surveys, and pit-fall traps.
I had the immense privilege to participate in the rehabilitation of a young howler monkey whose mother was killed by poachers and the bullet had gone through him as well. He made a full recovery.
Sustainable Farming
Madre de Dios specializes in cacao farming, which has historically been grown only in full sun. This has led to large scale deforestation. However, cacao can grow and produce in the shade as well. I helped operate and collect data on an experimental farm to compare the growth and production of both shade- and sun-dwelling cacao trees with the hope of proving to local farmers that deforestation is not a necessity. I additionally participated in biochar research to support increased cacao production in shady areas.
Domestic Animal Rescue
Stray and unhealthy pet dogs and cats are numerous and unwanted in many regions around Hoja Nueva. The center rescues and medically treats unwanted or unowned pets before finding them homes elsewhere, either nationally or internationally.
Community Support
Hoja Nueva is a boat ride away from many Indigenous villages. The center only works with communities who reach out to them for help and works actively with local communities to decrease white saviorism and act as wanted support instead of cultural collonialism. During my stay at Hoja Nueva, I was asked to help paint a community center, collect unwanted dogs, and plant a food garden.
Continual Collaboration
Since my in-person internship, I have remained a contract hire and volunteer for the organization to manage Excel spreadsheets and data sets and create scientific illustrations.
