“What counts most in life are the helpers – and the helpers of the helpers”.
Project goal
In April and May 2025, Animalma is organising three two-day forest firefighting training courses for rangers and volunteer firefighters in northern Bolivia with the experts from @fire Switzerland and our local partner, the voluntary forest firefighters ‘Jaguares’.
The focus is on efficient tactics and the use of firefighting equipment, as well as topics such as crisis organisation, logistics and nutrition. The two weeks will also be used for a valuable knowledge exchange between the firefighters from Bolivia and Switzerland.
The @fire specialists are currently in the middle of developing the course content and schedule, while Animalma is focusing on the funding and overall organisation of the mission.
Three months after the launch of our fundraising campaign Fighting wildfires with knowledge, we have already received an impressive CHF 7’045.- in donations. This amount will enable us to cover the costs of the roughly 60 participants and the organisation on site, as well as the logistics and accommodation of the Swiss team.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the following donors for this significant milestone:
Nicolas Entrup
Jürg Stein
Christian Küpfer
Tanja Frei
Seifenkistenrennen Freienwil
All participants of the presentation 60+ in Oberentfelden
Fredi Keller
Raiffeisenbank Surbtal-Wehntal Genossenschaft
Andrea Spalinger
Helena Turienzo
Patrick Wigert
Alessio Gretz from the restaurant Weisser Wind in Freienwil
Christine Keller
Garage Louis Frey
Darleen Gloor
Daniel Müller with trigger it GmbH
all anonymous supporters
Next steps
Our next stopover target is CHF 9’000.- in donations to cover the catering for the experts during the two-week mission. Will you help us?
You can also support us by taking part in Animalma’s anniversary party on 8th of March 2025, with all funds raised going to this campaign.
The Final Stretch
The big final goal will be to finance the flights to Bolivia; first the @fire crew’s flights (CHF 8’500.-) and then Animalma’s (CHF 1’700.-).
All 6 people have offered to pay the travel costs to Bolivia themselves if the funding target is not reached. A wonderful gesture that emphasises the personal commitment of those involved in this project and deeply moves us at Animalma.
For the time being, we are sticking to the total funding amount of CHF 19’190.- and will continue to pursue this ambitious goal. Because from various past experiences, we believe in miracles and that together we can always achieve great things on a small scale.
Forest firefighting training for rangers and volunteer firefighters in Bolivia – with the specialists from @fire Switzerland, supported by Animalma
Summary
In close cooperation with the non-profit aid organisation @fire Switzerland, Animalma is conducting three training courses for rangers from various nature reserves and volunteer firefighters in Bolivia for the first time in April / May 2025.
Over the course of two days, participants will be taught tactical knowledge and the effective use of tools for fighting forest fires in theoretical lessons and practical exercises.
The course will be held at three locations – all adjacent to different nature reserves – in the north of Bolivia and will also include the advanced training of instructors for sustainable knowledge transfer on site (teach the teacher).
This training and further education is of central importance for the conservation of Bolivia’s highly endangered biodiversity and is to be carried out regularly over the next 5-10 years with the support of funding foundations and patrons.
The aim of this project is to finance the first realisation of this important and sustainable project in 2025. The funding amount of CHF 19,190 includes all preparations on site, cost coverage for the approximately 60 participants as well as travel, meals and accommodation for the experts from Switzerland.
Organisation and implementation of three two-day courses for the basic training of rangers and volunteer firefighters in vegetation firefighting in April / May 2025.
To directly strengthen nature, animal and species conservation in Bolivia through this training by bringing fires under control more quickly and safely and implementing preventive measures.
Sub-objectives
Optimisation of the existing course according to the latest findings in effective vegetation firefighting thanks to the expertise of @fire Switzerland
The focus of the course is on the efficient use of available resources and possibilities on site and improves response time, safety and self-organisation in fire situations in and around nature reserves.
Two to three people per location are trained as instructors to ensure sustainable knowledge transfer and efficient crisis organisation.
Advice on the procurement of extinguishing and protection materials and, where possible, sponsoring / financing of equipment.
Evaluation and further development of the course content according to the findings during the first implementation and especially after the first year of application by the participants.
Offering the course over the next 5 – 10 years, possibly supplemented by sending @fire special forces to crisis areas.
The initial situation
Bolivia’s nature reserves, and therefore its biodiversity, are under severe pressure; agricultural zones are being continually expanded through deforestation and slash-and-burn agriculture, and the climate crisis is clearly noticeable on the South American continent through prolonged periods of drought and short, low-yield rainy seasons.
Large-scale fires – such as here in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Noel Kempff Mercado in 2024 – are to be combated more effectively and contained/prevented by means of preventive measures.
The rangers in these valuable protected areas have extensive knowledge and many years of experience in their field of work, but are under political pressure. In addition, they often lack the basic equipment, logistics and organisation to counteract fires quickly and efficiently.
The ‘Jaguares’ volunteer forest firefighter initiative was launched two years ago by Marcos Uzquiano and currently has around 60 members from the civilian population. Thanks to the support of Animalma, they have a central warehouse with fire-fighting and protection materials and basic knowledge of how to use them. Marcos Uzquiano is currently the only trainer and coordinator in the event of a crisis.
The association @fire has been training its members in cross-regional forest and vegetation firefighting for over 10 years and deploys special forces to natural disasters worldwide. Animalma has been active in Bolivia for 10 years and has been supporting the rangers and volunteers with donations in kind, sending relief teams to crisis areas and providing accident insurance and basic training in firefighting since 2021.
Now the time has come to unite the shared passion of @fire, the Jaguares and Animalma in fighting forest fires and thus preserving our nature. With the extraordinary expertise of @fire, the network of Animalma and the commitment of the Jaguares, we can generate a real and sustainable impact in Bolivia; for the rangers and volunteer firefighters, for the nature reserves, for the Amazon, for biodiversity and for the future of us all.
The two-day course, which is held once each in Rurrenabaque, Ixiamas and San Borja, provides participants with theoretical lessons and practical exercises:
Effective means and tactics for fighting vegetation fires
Optimal use of available tools such as firefighting backpacks, extinguishing paddles, machetes, rakes and protective materials
First aid and evacuation of casualties
Operations management and crisis organisation
Further topics such as optimal nutrition, camp locations and radio communication during operations in fire zones
At the end of the first day of the course, the specialists prepare and conduct the second part of the training together with the future instructors.
The target group
The rangers of the nature reserves
Parque Nacional Madidi: from the snow-capped Andes to the tropical Amazon rainforest, it is home to one of the highest biodiversity levels in the world, covering 18,958 km2
Pilon Lajas: borders the Madidi National Park and protects 4,000 km2 of highland jungle in the Yungas region and its indigenous peoples in particular
Territorio Indigena y Parque Nacional Isiboro Sécure TIPNIS: is a national park and indigenous territory, its 13,721 km2 are at the centre of the conflict between expanding agriculture and the rights of Bolivia’s indigenous population
Reserva de biosfera Estación Biológica del Beni (EBB): is located in the department of the same name, Beni, and protects important water sources and wetlands over 1,350 km2 and plays a central role in the ecological balance of this region.
We expect 3 – 5 rangers per conservation area to take part in the training programme. 2 to 3 of them will be trained to become instructors.
The organisation of voluntary forest fire fighters ‘Jaguares’ was founded on the initiative of nature conservation activist and ranger Marcos Uzquiano. The 60 or so members are spread across three locations:
Rurrenabaque / San Buenaventura: this is the headquarters of this volunteer organisation. They respond to fires around the Madidi Pilon Lajas protected areas.
Ixiamas: a dedicated group of 20 volunteer firefighters led by women on the eastern edge of the Madidi National Park
San Borja: centrally located in the Beni protected area, the volunteers from various villages support the rangers in monitoring fire hotspots and fighting wildfires
We expect 15 volunteers per location to take part in the training programme.
The participants’ travel to and from the course and their accommodation will be covered by this project. Costs for all 60 participants: CHF 3’480.-
The specialists from Switzerland analyse the existing training content, the needs and specific circumstances in Bolivia and define the learning objectives and a specially tailored course schedule based on the available resources and opportunities.
They provide their expertise and time free of charge for this essential preparation in the planning phase and for the course implementation on site. The value of this personal contribution amounts to CHF 4,000. Their travelling expenses, accommodation and meals in Bolivia are covered.
Costs for the deployment of the Swiss team: CHF 14’610.–
The voices – in Bolivia and Switzerland
Marcos Uzquiano organises the participants and provides the infrastructure at the training locations. He acts as a translator during the courses and supervises the entire programme. This important work and key role, without which this project would not be possible, is remunerated and is therefore included in the financing package.
Costs for his organisation and support: CHF 1’100.–
Sarah Fehr is the link between the Swiss team of experts and Bolivia during the preparations. She organises and manages the entire stay, provides support with translation and ensures the financing. She donates the entire preparation time to the project (value = CHF 900.-) – her travel, accommodation and travel expenses are covered.
The budget 2024 / 2025
The total sum of CHF 19’190.- is made up of the following three main areas:
Financing the participants
Course participants incur costs for travelling to and from the training centre, their accommodation and meals during the course days. The coverage of these costs builds the basis to be able to realize the course.
Description
Quantity
Price in CHF / unit
Total in CHF
Outward and return journey per participant
60
15.- / flat rate
900.-
Accomodation (2 nights)
120
10.- / night
2’400.-
Catering (drinks)
120
1.50 / unit price
180.-
Total
3’480.-
Local organisation & support
Marcos Uzquiano takes care of participant registrations, provides the infrastructure at the training locations, acts as a translator during the courses and supervises the entire assignment.
Description
Quantity
Price in CHF / unit
Total in CHF
Ensuring participants & infrastructure
20
25.- / hour
500.-
Course support / translation
6
100.- / day
600.-
Total
1’100.-
Swiss specialist team
Daniel Aeschbach, Joel Schwendimann, Benjamin Altorfer and two more fire service specialists will be on site together with Sarah Fehr from Animalma. Their travelling expenses, accommodation and meals in Bolivia will be covered.
Description
Quantity
Price in CHF / unit
Total in CHF
International flights
6
1’700.- / flight
10’200.-
Domestic transfer to course locations
6
150.- / flat rate
900.-
Accomodation
13
20.- / night
1’560.-
Catering
13
25.- / day
1’950.-
Total
14’610.-
The project costs will be financed by funding foundations and in parallel via an online campaign on animalma.org. Any surplus funds will be used to procure materials for the firefighters on site.
‘Animalma, @fire and the Jaguares in Bolivia are grateful for any support to realise this important project and ensure the foundation for a sustainable exchange of knowledge in firefighting.’
Small things are responsible for big changes. – Paulo Coelho
So many gifts…
…in the form of a donation were received for Sarah’s birthday in March 2024, so that we were able to count an incredible CHF 1’285.- in the donation pot.
Many thanks to Anita, Patricia, Max and many supporters who prefer to remain anonymous.
Because we at Animalma wanted to increase the effect of this generosity and the joy of the voluntary forest fire fighters, we added unrestricted donations and were thus able to donate an impressive CHF 2’630.- to the Centro de formación de bomberos forestales voluntarios “Jaguares” (training centre for volunteer forest fire fighters “Jaguares”) project.
Thank you Darleen, Sina, Fabian and Simone for your trust.
The result
The generous help from Switzerland was used for the following fire protection and training materials:
3 firefighting backpacks with 20 litre capacity from Fireline
10 protective helmets from Portwest, resistant to high temperatures
2 tents & petrol for logistics within the fire areas
10 accident insurance policies for the volunteers
1 first aid kit
1 printer & writing materials
3 training courses
They will be of enormous importance in the upcoming and many other fire seasons. Once again, we are deeply touched by how we achieve great things on a small scale!
Below are a few pictures of the materials and impressions from two courses; one for the EBB rangers, one for the population and students of a small community within the protected area:
Many thanks on behalf of the Jaguar firefighters, Sarah and Animalma!
3 of the 27 rangers, who now have an accident and whole life insurance thanks to our help from Switzerland.
We help the rangers of Madidi National Park for the second time with an accident and whole life insurance.
The Madidi National Park in the Bolivian Amazon is the most biodiverse conservation area worldwide.
It is protected by 27 rangers; they are in the crossfire of illegal wildlife trade, exploitation (especially gold and wood) and slash-and-burn for meet and cocaine production.
It is a dangerous, hard job in the middle of nowhere, too often outnumbered.
The Madidi, its’ preservation and thus its’ rangers have become a strong part in our mission since first visiting this natural wonder.
Thanks to the Animalma anniversary in 2023, a donation from “Team Bolivia” and unrestricted donations, we were able to extend the accident and death insurance for the rangers of Madidi National Park for another year.
For the total amount of CHF 1’230, the 27 rangers are insured for a further 12 months from March 2024 in case anything should happen to them during their demanding work.
The insurance covers
Accidental death USD 10’000.-
Permanent partial or full invalidity USD 10’000.-
Reimbursement for medications USD 1’000.-
and has cost USD 51.72 per person.
The coverage started on 1st of March 2024 for one year.
The past year has shown that this form of support is of immense importance in an emergency. During the forest fires at the end of 2023, Ranger Alex Nay suffered serious lung poisoning during his missions and had to be transferred to a specialised clinic due to further symptoms. A cardiac arrhythmia (bradycardia) was diagnosed.
His basic insurance did not cover various investigations and medication, which was therefore covered by the accident insurance we took out.
Alex is now feeling better again and has been able to go on patrol again since February.
He would like to thank all Animalma donors for their help from afar during this difficult time. His story shows and confirms that our help is indeed effective.
We thank all guests from the Animalma anniversary ’23, the godmother of Janine Brechbühl as well as other anonymous donors, who gave us financial aid without a special purpose. You made this help possible.
It is thanks to you, that the rangers and their families can feel saver this year!
After “to love”, “to help” is the most beautiful verb in the world.
Like every year…
…Sarah is sponsoring her birthday to do something good – in Bolivia of course.
This year all gifts in form of donations will go again to a small but vital project: a centre at the edge of the Bolivian Amazon with materials to combat forest fires and capacitating voluntary firefighters. If fires or inundations occure within or nearby close nature protection areas (Madidi, Pilon Lajas, EBB), much needed help will be there quickly and efficiently.
All birthday donations will be used for the following materials:
Last year, the birthday donations went towards this project – which has already recruited 58 volunteer firefighters in the meantime and has also been given an official name:
Centro de formación de bomberos forestales voluntarios “Jaguares” (Training Center for Volunteer Forest Firefighters “Jaguares”).
This project is a private initiative by Marcos Uzquiano, who has been a park ranger and nature protection activist for many yeras. He has been awarded by the IUCN for his tireless efforts and has given half of the award money to his project. Sarah wants to support his idea and ensure that this project continues to grow.
Thank you so much for your support – every amount matters!
“Trees are poems that the earth writes in the sky.” Khalil Gibran
For 10 years with heart & soul in animal welfare – that’s Animalma in 2024.
Dear Animalma family
I wish you a happy new year from the bottom of my heart. In 2024 Animalma celebrates its 10th anniversary & you are all part of this story. Thank you for accompanying us, supporting us and thus making many small and big miracles possible in Bolivia.
At the beginning… a little nostalgia
This first round anniversary makes me nostalgic and so I think back to exactly 10 years ago when I was in Bolivia for the second time. On the one hand, it was the deep passion I felt every day caring for the Andean bears and turtles, but also the educational work with visitors of the Senda Verde Wildlife Refuge, and on the other hand the financial hardship of this project and the appalling extent of the illegal wildlife trade that made me decide to take the leap into animal welfare.
I wanted to acquire animal expertise and fundraising skills – and that’s what I did. Through my training as an animal keeper and animal welfare specialist, with fundraising and project management courses, the development of Animalma and, last but not least, through a lot of “learning by doing”.
In addition to this wide-ranging knowledge, it was above all fantastic human and animal companions who inspired, motivated and kept me going over short and long distances on this not always easy journey.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart – as Sarah, as the Animalma association and also on behalf of all the wild animals, nature reserves and activists in Bolivia, to whom we are reaching out from Switzerland to create a better, greener and more (bio)diverse future.
But a lot also happened in Bolivia and Switzerland in the second half of the year…
A bear cause
Thanks to the generous donations for the Animalma anniversary in 2022, the Senda Verde Wildlife Refuge was able to build a management enclosure for the two young Andean bears Thaky and Chojñita in mid 2023. This allowed them to move into their spacious, natural area, and the management enclosure ensures safe care and supervision.
In the following videos you can see the management enclosure on the left and get an insight into the acclimatisation phase (incl. intrigued neighbouring bear Tarkus) and on the right the development of Thaky and Chojñita as young bears up to their move into their enclosure.
The Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is the only native bear species in South America and is threatened with extinction due to habitat loss and poaching. Mother bears leave their cubs in a safe place while they go in search of food. Poachers take advantage of this and steal the young animals to sell them as exotic pets. Thaky and Chojñita were only a few weeks old when they arrived at Senda Verde in October 21 – totally terrified and exhausted. They only survived thanks to the expert care they received at the sanctuary. Animalma supports precisely this daily care through the emergency fund for Senda Verde.
Emergency aid for forest fires
June to October is the dry season in Bolivia and therefore unfortunately also the season for slash-and-burn fires. It was a bad “season” – the lack of rainfall and extreme heatwaves made it easy for the man-made fires. In addition to the forests in the east of the country, the protected areas of Pilon Lajas and Madidi National Park in the north also were in flames. It was heartbreaking to follow the terrible news and to know that the rangers in these nature reserves have neither the necessary logistics nor protective materials, but are still doing everything they can to control the flames.
Thanks to our nature conservation campaign, we were able to provide emergency aid and supply a firefighting team of rangers with first aid materials, torches, tools and rehydration drinks.
Gerardo Pozo, our ranger on site, with the relief supplies for the firefighting team
Ranger Alex Nay suffered serious lung poisoning during his missions and had to be transferred to a specialised clinic due to further symptoms. A cardiac arrhythmia (bradycardia) was diagnosed.
His basic insurance did not cover various examinations and medication, which was therefore covered by the accident insurance we took out. Alex is now feeling better again and will be able to go on patrol again from February. He would like to thank all Animalma donors for their help from afar during this difficult time.
Ranger Alex Nay, Madidi National Park
Anniversary celebration
On November 11th there was another anniversary celebration to mark the 9th anniversary of Animalma. As in the previous year, the Animalma family met at the youth centre in Effretikon for dinner, a toast and a get-together.
The sales stand needed a second table because Patricia from our “Team Bolivia 2023” was handicrafting like crazy in advance and the girls also brought along their artistic crafts. Of course, there was also the obligatory presentation from me and a serenade for everyone present.
Thank you for the wonderful evening, the help before and during the event and all the donations received! Half of the roughly CHF 2,000 will go to the Senda Verde Wildlife Refuge and half to nature conservation in Bolivia.
Animalma on the radio
Our friend and supporter Raúl Calicaya Molina was also at the Animalma festival and invited me to his radio show “Voces de Latino America” (Voices from Latin America) shortly afterwards.
Although it was my second time in the studio with Raúl, I was once again incredibly nervous, because I was also there for the first time with my guitar and sang my song “From the woods” (minute 38). Have a listen – the interview is in Spanish and Swiss German, accompanied by beautiful and moving songs from Bolivia. Thanks also to Benny from “Team Bolivia 2023”, who accompanied me and was also interviewed 😉
Tortoise adoptions
Last year, the rangers of the Beni conservation area once again collected tortoise eggs to protect them from human consumption and ensure the conservation of the yellow-spotted river turtle.
Around 1000 tortoises were released into the wild after hatching. & here in Switzerland, there were many meaningful and sustainable Christmas presents in the form of a turtle adoption. The resulting donations of CHF 220 go directly back into the nature reserve “Reserva de la Biosfera Estación Biologica del Beni”.
On January 12th 2024, the turtles were released in the presence of children, supporters of the adoption programme and the local press.
What’s going on in 2024?!?
First of all, at the beginning of the year we do what I like to do best, namely
Distributing donations!
Because in addition to the big highlights mentioned above, every single financial support from you is always a reason for a dance of joy. & we’ve been able to dance quite often in the past few months 😉
To save on transfer fees, we collect your donations for a while (with the exception of emergency aid, of course) and then send them to Bolivia in a bundle. This wonderful work is due now and so I am able to bring the following aid to the local animal and nature conservation front:
CHF 800 will go to Senda Verde via our emergency fund and will be used for food and veterinary materials.
CHF 220 will go to the Beni nature reserve thanks to the turtle adoptions
We are extending the accident and death insurance for the Madidi’s rangers with the nature conservation share from the Animalma Festival 2023 and uncommitted donations
The additional CHF 1,000 from the Animalma anniversary will go to the Senda Verde Wildlife Refuge for free disposal – because I know exactly how valuable this flexibility is
Around CHF 1,000 will go to the “Centro de Formación de Bomberos Forestales Voluntarios Jaguares” volunteer forest firefighter project, which is currently being set up and was already supported on my last birthday
And because I – and hopefully you too – feel warm and fuzzy about this newsletter, all the highlights and assistance, we are of course continuing with our campaigns in this new year, which I would like to present to you again below.
Whether fighting or preventing forest fires, providing direct aid to activists on the front line or making donations in kind to the rangers in the protected areas – we stand up for nature conservation in Bolivia.
A free or unrestricted donation is not received for a certain campaign, but is sent to us without a specific purpose. Animalma decides where the aid goes, which gives us immensely valuable flexibility in our work.
Leave the purpose blank or note “unrestricted” to support us in this way.
Traceability is guaranteed at all times with unrestricted donations too.
We cover all expenses such as website, bank and transfer fees etc. through association-related donations. With the donation purpose “Animalma”, you can help our association grow and support our work.
The llamas & monkeys are loose
From left to right Raúl, Rosita, Pedro & Juanita
I am delighted to announce that there are now some very special handmade items available to buy, namely the enchanting llamas Pedro, Juanita, Rosita and Raúl as well as the monkey Canola from my friend Patricia. She travelled to Bolivia with me at the beginning of 2023 and is now dedicating her time and creativity to our cause. Many thanks dear Patricia!
You can order the crocheted friends here using the button below or by sending an email to info@animalma.org. All proceeds from the sale will go to our projects in Bolivia.
…first of all on holiday, to Borneo. New country, new culture, new animal and jungle worlds waiting to be explored. Recharging batteries is the resolution for February so I can come back strengthened and inspired.
I will probably go back to Bolivia in July / August and I am already looking forward to returning to my second home, hopefully with lots of donations from Switzerland in my luggage 😉 Your support makes this possible and I would like to thank you once again from the bottom of my heart.
But before I say goodbye for good, here is one last treat…
Do you want to leave too?
I dare to look far ahead and am contemplating the idea of organising another volunteer trip to Bolivia in 2025. It would take at least three weeks – the first two to get to know the highlights of the country (La Paz – Lake Titicaca – Uyuni salt desert – Madidi National Park) and then to the Senda Verde Wildlife Refuge for a work assignment to help the wild animals and get to know this project. Depending on the group composition, the programme can also be adapted to individual needs. An extended volunteer placement before or after the trip is possible. Please get in touch with me via info@animalma.org if you are interested in this adventure or be inspired by the travel report from Team Bolivia 2023.
With this foresight, I close this detailed newsletter and return to the here & now, to January 2024. I am looking forward to the anniversary year ahead of us and am excited to see where this year’s journey will take us dear Animalma family. Thank you for your support up to this point and hopefully to many more years in which we will be active in animal welfare together – as always with heart & soul.
“The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot do it for themselves.” Jane Gooddall
Over the past 9 years, we have been privileged to help countless animals in Bolivia. Here are the past completed milestones. Many thanks to all of our supporters!
We helped fund a nursery enclosure for young howler monkey orphans.
2019
#SoSBolivia – La Chiquitania
Terrible, out-of-control slash-and-burn ravaged in La Chiquitania in the east of Bolivia in 2019.
With this awareness campaign (in German only), we reported on it & were able to send donations to the disaster area.
2018
Rays for Bolivia
We wanted to fundraise a mobile X-ray machine, but could not reach the targeted amount. But Senda Verde got the desired device sponsored by the manufacturer – what a miracle!
With our donation we were able to purchase 2 laser devices for the clinic. The treatment significantly supports wound healing, post-ops and various skin problems.
The construction of a large aviary at Senda Verde Wildlife Refuge was our very first fundraising project.
We helped to give abused Amazon parrots a new home and the chance to finally learn to fly!
Our promise
We only support organizations and people that we know personally and can make sure that our donation will is used sustainably.
Every donation goes in full to the chosen project. Animalma finances its costs and any project expenses through association-related donations.
Our heart projects
The wildlife refuge Senda Verde (“The green path”) in Bolivia is more than just a project – it is family! A wild family, where victims of the illegal wildlife trade find a new home and active educational work about this problem is carried out.
Through several volunteer assignments on site, we know this very special spot on earth with its inhabitants and founders personally.
We passionately help them to realize new building projects and to spread their message:
Wild animals are not pets. Wild animals belong into the wild. And it is precisely these habitats that need to be protected.
We fulfill the last sentence of the above statement through various efforts in nature conservation.
Whether it is emergency aid in the case of forest fires, preventive measures in the form of training and protective materials – we help where we are needed. Bolivia’s protected areas and their rangers are particularly dear to our hearts.
Nature conservation is a wide term – as wide are our efforts in this field. That is why this campaign contains various parts, which are presented next.
Our goal is to help quickly and flexibly in case of emergencies as well as setting up preventive meassures.
Fire prevention
Through the purpose of donation “Firefighting”, we help people and projects combating the yearly forest fires in Bolivia. Immediate emergency help mainly includes transportation, food and materials of all kinds for firefighting-crews and vets, while preventative meassures are implemented by capacitating volunteers and profesionals with courses and safety equipment.
Whatever and whenever – our help goes where it is needed the most.
Training professionals and volunteers and providing the necessary safety materials may make the difference between life and death – for humans and nature alike.
Our emergency aid sends firefighting-crews and vets into affected areas to provide first aid. We helped La Chiquitania in 2019, Otuquis in 2021 and Noel Kempff Mercado in 2022.
In 2021 we sent a team into the protected area Otuquis, where they cared for insured wildlife and built water points for the survivors.
Nature conservation
The general fund called “Nature conservation” raises funds for a variety of causes, which we bring right to the front thanks to our wide network in Bolivia.
The park rangers of protected areas as well as activists fighting illegal gold mining in the Amazon have a special place in our heart.
Our highlight in 2023: an accident and whole life insurance for the 27 park rangers working in the Madidi National Park.
More highlights from our conservation efforts are found in the blog further below.
Turtle Adoption
The turtle adoption program in the Beni area is also part of this campaign and helps the species survival of the yellow-spotted Amazon river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) and the rangers on-site.
You can simbolically adopt a river turtle for CHF 10.- and get an adoption certificate for yourself or as a meaningful gift for someone else.
Making a big difference in small steps – this is Animalma. Also in 2023.
Dear Animalma family
It has been quiet here in the news section for a while, although a lot has happened since the end of last year and the beginning of 2023. I’m happy to give you, dear supporters, an update on what’s been going on.
8 years Animalma
On the 29th of October we celebrated Animalma’s 8th anniversary with a great food buffet, a sweet stall and a presentation of our history. It was just wonderful to spend the evening with you all – looking back and celebrating what we have achieved together for and in Bolivia.
I still think back to this event with a big smile on my face and want to thank everyone for being there. A special “Gracias” goes out to Ximena for her beautiful handicrafts and for managing the sales.
If you also want to remember this evening, you can do so through the following post:
Animalma was founded on the 22nd of October 2014 – so it was high time to finally celebrate our anniversary. A large part of the Animalma family found their way to the youth club in Effretikon on the 29th October 2022 for the birthday party.
Going back home
In January I treated myself to a one month timeout in Costa Rica; a country well known for its high standards of animal welfare and nature conservation. It was fascinating to see how humans and animals coexist mostly peacefully next to eatch other – an achievement made possible by decent and free education, as well as strict laws and even stricter enforcement.
Relaxed and with new strength I headed on to Bolivia, where my friends and projects were waiting for me. With the donation pot as full as never before, I couldn’t wait to get it right there to the front where it belongs.
Here are the highlights made possible by your donations:
The most heartwarming donation…
…came from Anna, Finja, Iara and Kian. These four young animal welfarists were so inspired after the Animalma anniversary, that they started making handicrafts the day after and sold them in their neighbourhood.
They raised CHF 300, which I used to buy nappies, special milk powder and vitamins for the baby monkeys at Senda Verde Wildlife Refuge. These are vital but expensive items for the sanctuary and they were over the moon when I told them the story behind this very special donation.
…keeps going on thanks to the Emergency Fund for Senda Verde and the refuge is very grateful for our continuous contribution to food and medical supplies for the animals.
Several individual and monthly donations added up to an amazing amout of CHF 1’000.- assisting with the daily care of the 1000 wild animals living at Senda Verde. We are keeping up this vital campaign:
Help the animal shelter Senda Verde through the afthermath of the Corona crisis. The emergency fund helps to feed the 1000 wild animals of the refuge and gives them medical care.
The most innovative help…
…was made possible by our anniversary. I promised to donate a third of all donations to a conservation cause, and this came in the form of an accident and life insurance policy for the 27 park rangers working in Madidi National Park.
Since March, the rangers and their families will be taken care of in case of an accident or worse, which is a great relief in this high-risk job.
Only you, dear Animalma family, have made this huge milestone possible. Once again, there are no words to express the gratitude of the rangers, nor my own. So I’ll just say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
Setting up the insurance in Februar 2023 with the “jefe de protección” of the Madid National Park and thanks to the activist Marcos Uzquiano.
& also the most personal campaign…
…my yearly birthday appeal, goes to conservation. All your gifts in form of donations will help setting up a new fire prevention centre in Rurrenabaque. Perfectly located between the nature reserves Madidi, Pilon Lajas and the EBB, this project will provide a central storage and distribution point for fire-fighting equipment, as well as training for volunteer firefighters.
The volunteer journey
Next to all the miracles made possible by your support, there was another highlight waiting: the very first volunteer trip through Bolivia.
A small but powerful group of the Animalma family visited me in Bolivia and the two week journey was full of adventure and inspiration:
We strolled through the lievely, colourful streets and markets of La Paz – at a leisurely pace due to the altitude.
We cruised the Titicaca lake and followed the traces of the first Incas on the sun island.
We stood in awe in the middle of the Uyuni salt flats, watching the stary night give way to a legendary sunrise.
We visited the Bolivian Amazon rainforest, encountered sloths, primates and birds and listened to the wisdom of wonderful people, letting us know their culture.
& we finished our trip by volunteering at Senda Verde, taking care of animals as diverse as Andean bears, butterflies, tapirs and various primates.
It was incredibe to show “my Bolivia” to my supporters and friends. Despite altitude sickness, countless mosquito bites and many hours on rocky roads, there was only one conclusion: Bolivia is amazing! & the whole “Team Bolivia” wants to go back one day – but for longer. 😊
Here it is – the travel report of our very first volunteer trip. Find out more about the places we visited & get lost in the Bolivian feeling by browsing through the photo galleries.
& what’s next?
Once again this trip to Bolivia has strengthened me in my mission: Animalma makes a big difference in small steps. And we continue to do so – currently through the following campaigns:
Help the animal shelter Senda Verde through the afthermath of the Corona crisis. The emergency fund helps to feed the 1000 wild animals of the refuge and gives them medical care.
Whether it is fighting and preventing forest fires, providing direct aid to frontline activists, or donating equipment to rangers in protected areas, we are working to protect Bolivia’s environment.
This vital work finally has its’ proper campaign site too, hopefully reaching even more supporters.
There will be another celebration of Animalma’s 9th anniversary in the autumn. It will most likely take place on the 11th of November – details to follow 😉.
Apart from that, 2023 has been declared a “cleanup year”. Overhauling the website, optimising the newsletter & flyer, creating a meaningful give-away and many more to-do’s and inspirations are waiting to be brought to life and finally get the space they need.
I wish you all a wonderful, relaxing summer and hope to see you all in autumn at the Animalma celebration at the latest. Thank you so much for your loyal support – it means the world to me! <3
Even freezing winter temperatures of 0 degrees did not stop the little acitivists with their sales booth
“I learned that you are never too small to make a difference.” Greta Thunberg
Anna, Finja, Iara and Kyran were among the youngest visitors of the Animalma anniversary in October 2022.
The four young animal rights activists were so inspired after the event that they started crafting the very next day and sold their creations in their neighbourhood.
Their handmade items – from bracelets to notebooks to plush bananas – were very well received and so they were able to collect an amount of CHF 300 in donations, which they handed over to me personally shortly before my trip to Bolivia.
With the proceeds, I was able to buy milk powder, vitamin supplements and nappies for the primate babies of Senda Verde, which the orphans urgently need and represent a major cost for the refuge.
And the Senda Verde staff were very touched when I told them the story behind this very special donation.
Thank you so much dear Anna, Finja, Iara and Kyran for your wonderful, inspiring commitment to help wildlife in Bolivia!
