“Look deeply into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Albert Einstein
Dear Animalma-Family
In a month’s time, I will finally be travelling to Bolivia again. I’m really looking forward to my home of heart, to visiting our projects and, of course, especially to seeing what our donations are achieving on the ground.
A big personal highlight will be the 10-day jungle trip deep into the Madidi National Park. We will be travelling by raft in the “Alto Madidi”, spending the night in a tent, trekking through the Amazon without any civilisation or mobile phone reception. Pure nature – a dream come true…
Before I embark on this adventure, I would like to share with you my favourite achievements since spring.
Insurance for rangers extended
As communicated in the last newsletter, we used half of the donations from the 2023 anniversary celebration and unrestricted donations to extend the accident and death insurance for the 27 rangers of Madidi National Park.
Since the beginning of March 2024, they can therefore feel safer in their demanding and dangerous job for another year. This is nature conservation on the front line!
…to the blog post of this story – including the personal fate of Alex, who needed our insurance last year.
“Margay mesh” for Senda Verde
The other half of the anniversary donations went to the Senda Verde Wildlife Refuge. & they could really use this help – with the arrival of another jaguar, they had to make changes in the big cats area. The Margays’ existing enclosure was converted for the jaguar and the Margays were given new accommodation. With the CHF 1’000.- from Switzerland, they were able to buy the high-quality wire mesh fence for Sascha and Asjari’s enclosure.
A big thank you from the Senda Verde team to everyone who took part in the Animalma festival!
Birthday campaign
At the beginning of March, I launched my annual birthday campaign – an incredible CHF 1’285.- in birthday donations reached me from all over Switzerland for the “Jaguares” volunteer fire brigade. Thank you very much!
& because this project, which trains, equips and coordinates volunteers from the local population in and around nature reserves to fight forest fires, is so valuable to Animalma, we have contributed donations with no specific purpose.
After careful consideration and deliberation, the Jaguares were able to buy
3 fire-fighting backpacks
10 safety helmets
6 radios
various shovels, rakes, hoes, an axe and machetes
10 accident insurance policies for the volunteers
2 tents and petrol for logistics
1 first aid kit and
1 printer & writing materials
and carry out 3 training courses.
Muchas gracias from initiator Marcos Uzquiano and the now 58 volunteer firefighters who, thanks to you, will be able to manage the upcoming fire season more effectively and safely.
Here you can find the official campaign update with the final account and all purchased materials.
Article in the Glückspost
Susy Utzinger herself presented us with a wonderful highlight: an interview with writer and journalist Blanca Imboden. The result of this two-hour conversation appeared in Glückspost at the end of March. You can read the article here:
Not only Blanca but also I wrote in spring: Introducing a country as multifaceted as Bolivia and bringing it closer to you is not that easy and yet it has long been my wish. In the “Knowledge protects” section, you can now find an overview of our country of assignment, its beautiful, unique aspects and also the tough challenges that we face time and again under
What marvellous milestones, aren’t they? Definitely fitting for our 10th anniversary, which we are celebrating this year. I’m excited to see what else this anniversary year will bring us.
First of all, I’m travelling to Bolivia. & as experience has shown that I always unexpectedly come across animals, nature reserves and/or activists on site who are dependent on our support, I am sharing with you my travel campaign
I will take all donations received with me to Bolivia and use them exactly where they are needed most urgently and effectively – whererever it may be.
I would like to thank you in advance for your support – be it in the form of a financial contribution or by forwarding this campaign and sharing it on your social media channels.
I wish you, dear Animalma family, a wonderful summer! The next newsletter will follow in autumn at the latest and I am sure it will again be full of wonderful highlights made possible by your support.
“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 beauty of travelling is, that you never come back the same as you left.
What once started off as a crazy idea and was harshly put to a halt by the Corona pandemic, has finally come true in Februar 2023: Three courageous people followed my call and joined the very first volunteer trip through Bolivia. My heart nearly burst of joy when they finally arrived at the airport of La Paz on the 23rd of February.
My Team Bolivia 2023
Janine, Patricia and Benny are work colleagues, friends and Animalma supporters. Despite of being tired from the long journey, they were as excited as I was to finally get to know Bolivia and the projects and people they have been supporting from Switzerland.
I happily share with you the highlights of our two weeks trip through Bolivia. For every destination you will find a short description and a picture gallery. Just click on any picture for high resolution and access to the gallery.
La Paz
La Paz is the highest-located city in the world and is nestled in the Andes with an altitude from 3800 up to 4100 meters above sea level.
We strolled through the colourful streets of La Paz, explored the markets (Beware of very high shopping risk!), observed the hustle and bustle on the plazas and got accustomed to the relaxed but nevertheless lively Bolivian groove.
We overlooked the city from the rooftop terrace from our hotel, enjoyed vegetarian and vegan dishes in the fancy district Sopocachi and shopped the first presents for our loved ones back home and the obligatory woollen jackets for our trip in the countless artesanal markets.
Lago Titicaca / Isla del Sol
The majestic lake Titicaca is situated in the north of the country, only two hours from La Paz shared by the neighbouring country Peru. We chartered a private ship in the village of Copacabana and cruised the endless-seeming waters until we reached the Sun island. Legend says that the very first Incas were sent down to this very island by the god Inti, from where they started to set up their famous empire.
We climbed up the first Inka stairs of our journey, discovered different ruins and enjoyed the tranquilitiy and vastness far away from everyday life. It was the perfect start of our adventure and a dive into Bolivian culture.
Salar de Uyuni
The biggest salt desert on earth (as you see Bolivia is definitely a superlative country) is in Uyuni, about 12 hours from La Paz. Our driver Jésus and his little bus “Jota” drove us savely through the country, while we enjoyed the view of the stunning Andes as well as little villages in the middle of nowhere filled with friendly people and doggies.
After a short stay at the salt hotel (yes it is a hotel built of salt), we got picked up by our guides at 4 o’clock in the morning and drove out into the salt flat. We were all in awe of the endlessness of this mystical place and were watching how a beautiful starry sky changed into a stunning sunrise.
During the following day tour, we visited the train cementary, a traditional salt production and then drove through this surreal world of the salt desert – a day filled with magical moments, countless photo sessions and a wonderful lunch.
Our guides from America Tours gave us an unforgettable Uyuni experience and also made us aware of the threats facing the salt flats (lithium exploitation) and how they still need side jobs to survive, as tourism hasn’t fully recovered since the pandemic.
Madidi National Park / Las Pampas
The salt desert was followed by another highlight – visiting the Bolivian Amazon. We embarked with a small boat from Rurrenabaque and traveled up the river, got to know indigenous villages and traditions along the way, learned more about the Madidi National Park at the checkpoint of the rangers and arrived in the middle of the rainforest at the beautiful camp of Mashaquipe.
& my travel companions had the very same experience as myself when first arriving in the jungle: It is a purely magical place far away from our hectic civilization, it instantly calms one down and brings peace to the mind and happiness to the heart. It roots one back to the core values of humanity, showing a unique biodiversity living in symbiosis and the thought of its destruction is deeply affecting. So in this special state of mind, we hiked on small paths through the jungle, listened to the interesting facts and stories of our guide and the mighty, omnipresent sounds of nature. We spotted sloths, primates, birds, butterflies and marvelled at beautiful flowers and trees as old as 300 years.
The nature reserve “Las Pamas” is discovered by boat and so this wetland with its countless arms of rivers (and even more mosquitos) is an easy, relaxing way to spot wildlife close-up. Caimans were waiting patiently for their next prey, river dolphins swam around the boat, squirrel monkey troops foraged in the bushes and turtles as well as birds took a sunbath on the rocks and trunks along the river benches.
Senda Verde
As the “grande finale” of our time in Bolivia, we visited our heart project, the wildlife refuge Senda Verde, and my “Team Bolivia” helped on the forefront by volunteering at the centre. They supported the animal caretakers in breeding butterflies, cleaning and feeding in the big bird aviary, taking care of howler monkey babies, capuchins, Andean bears and many more fascinating animals.
The harsh fate of these animals, being victims of wildlife trafficking within the Amazon and some held as pets for years or even decades, visibly affected my friends. But this heaviness got compensated by the satisfaction of helping these beautiful beings and this unique project – be it through volunteering on-site or from far away Switzerland with a donation.
It was a very special pleasure for me to show my Team Bolivia, where their donations are going, how they are used and how valuable this support via Animalma is – at Senda Verde as well as through different nature protection campaigns.
The conclusion
Bolivia is a fascinating travel destination with a wide variety of sites and activities. Even though we have been on the road nearly non-stop during those two weeks, we have only seen a little part of this diverse country. All three members of the “Team Bolivia 2023” were deeply impressed by it and all of them want to go back one day – but with more time 😉
Besides an incredible nature with fascinating flora and fauna, the Bolivians also inspired us with their friendliness, generosity and their leisureliness.
& for me personally, it was a huge milestone to finally realize this dreams of mine, this volunteer journey, and it was an honor to be able to show “my Bolivia” to my friends and supporters.
For now, I leave it open if or when I will offer this volunteer trip again, but interested people can contact me (via info@animalma.org) and who knows, maybe there will be a “Team Bolivia 2024”!
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
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
Animalma was founded on the 22nd of October 2014 – so high time to finally celebrate our annivesary. A huge part of the Animalma family found their way to the youth club in Effretikon on the 29th of October 2022 for the birthday bash.
We’ve cheered at the bar, tasted delicious Bolivian and international meals, shopped for a good cause at the sales booth and throughout the location one could discover big and small milestones of our associations’ history.
The “party room” was packed when Sarah held her presentation. She took the 50 people – longtime and new donors, friends & family, animal welfare buddies, Bolivians and Swiss all mixed up – on a journey. A very personal journey of all the people, who have been part of her way, who have inspired and strengthened her. As a highlight, Sarah sang her new song “From the woods” – a call for humanity to protect the forest of this world – for the very first time publicly.
It was an amazing evening filled with inspiring and touching conversations and encounters. And it turned into just another milestone in the history of Animalma. The buffet, bar, sales booth and donation box & online presence all added up to a staggering amount of CHF 3’000.- in donations. They will be used one third each for Senda Verde, nature conservation effort in Bolivia and the growth of Animalma as an association. THANK YOU all so much!
A very special THANKS goes to
Ximena for her handicraft efforts and managing the sales booth
Andrea, Chanti, Rahel, Je und Mirj for helping with the setup, behind the bar and taking care of the dog
Fany and Alba for the Bolivian dishes
& of course everyone else cooking and baking in for the buffet
We at Animalma are filled with joy, pride and love looking back to this event and therefore finish this article with a gallery filled with the most beautiful moments of our anniversary.
Making a big difference in small steps – this is Animalma.
Dear Animalma-Family
I am so happy to finally write this newsletter for you. It is full of pictures of my Bolivia trip from February / March and will show you what your help has achieved on site and what we have made possible during this year. We also have a peek what the future holds and I have fantastic news! But let’s take it step by step…
La Senda Verde
Our heart project is now home to 950 animals – every week, new victims of wildlife trafficking arrive at the shelter. Tourism is only recuperating slowly, international visitors and volunteers are still scarce. All the more reason to be happy and proud, that I arrived with CHF 1’000.- in donations to help out our wildlife family and that another CHF 350.- came in during my stay. Vicky’s words “You’ve saved us” symbolize the harsh situation Senda Verde is still facing.
The enclosure for the howler monkeys is finished and the youngsters are enjoying this save space and especially its’ height. The caretakers are also very happy about the easier and safer management.
A huge THANK YOU to all the supporters of both campaigns; the following video is for you:
PS: For once the shelter was busy as a bee hive when I arrived in February. The famous photographer Nick Brandt and his massive crew were at Senda Verde for a whole month. The results are absolutely stunning and the big hope of Vicky and Marcelo to spread their message internationally and receive more support. You can check out his amazing work here.
My first conclusion: Our emergency fund is still vital – we keep on pushing it!
Help the animal shelter Senda Verde through the Corona crisis. The emergency fund helps to feed the over 950 wild animals of the refuge and gives them medical care.
Ranger style
I travelled on to visit the rangers of the Beni nature reserve.
They proudly showed me the petrol they’ve purchased thanks to our turtle adoption program from last year. We enabled them to patrol within their protected area for two whole months.
There was a small donation in my bag pack from another turtle donation, but I was wondering what we could acutally achieve with CHF 40.-… Do you know what? Quiet a lot – like fixing two motorbikes and treat the 7 horses of the camp El Porvenir against parasites and with vitamine B!
Conclusion #2: No donation is too small to spark a miracle!
Before I left, an anonymous birthday donation refilled the petrol reserve of the Beni rangers. There are no words which would truly do justice to describe the greatfulness of the people on-site. All I can say is, that I’m completely enchanted every time I can help directly, specifically and exactly when it is needed.
Thank you for your trust, thank you all for your valuable support!
In love with Madidi
I did it – I’ve realized my dream of going into the Bolivian Amazon! It was magical, adventurous, wild, enchanting… and unsettling.
I was standing under trees that are more than 300 years old – mighty beings full of wisdom, which put us humans back in our place and make our megalomania disappear for a moment. Seeing my first howler monkey in the wild made me tear up; on one hand out of pure happiness and humility. On the other hand because I knew during this whole trip that illegal gold mining further up the river is destroying all the stunning nature around me.
The Madidi National Park is the protected area with the highest biodiversity worldwide and it is getting destructed right now in front of our eyes out of greed for money. This disaster accompanied me during my whole stay in Bolivia and hit me hard. So I posted about it, I wrote to let the grief out, I gave a little interview within my beloved Madidi and I was able to push this topic through my journalist friend Edwin… but I honestly still stand puzzled in front of this massive disaster.
Thanks from the heart to everyone who donated to my guerilla campaign for the Madidi. Part of your help supported people fighting at the forefront, the rest is still waiting to hit the miners where it hurts the most.
I got to know the Madidi rangers during my trip and am pleased that we could bring back light and power to the checkpoint “El Bala”, thanks to another donation. Three new batteries put the existing solar panels back up and running and provide electricity for the rangers, making their vital work a whole lot easier for the next two years. Thank you Fabian!
So what’s the main conclusion of my journey?
Small good deeds can have a massive impact, especially when carried out right on the spot. As valuable as the monetary worth and their effects is the moral support for the animal rights activists and nature conservationists on the forefront receiving our help.
They are moved profoundly that there are people in faraway Switzerland caring about Bolivia and engaging in their mission. Knowing this gives them willpower, hope and new courage to continue their fight.
What happened since
Even though it was quiet around Animalma on the outside, a lot of stuff has happened since I’m back in Switzerland:
We sent another donation through the Emergency fund to Senda Verde and are continuously supporting the primary care of the wildlife shelter.
Thanks to the purchase of the firefighting equipment last year, we set the base to connect the company KPN with the Beni rangers. Together they organised a course in preventing & controling forest fires for the park rangers of different protected areas, voluntary firefighters & indigenous communities in June.
We’ve received a generous donation and already used part of it for more firefighting equipment for the rangers. The rest of the money is ready immediately, if the situation literally gets heated up and emergency relief to combat wildfires is needed. We are in the middle of the dry season in Bolivia and dry season means slash-and-burn season…
Become part of our story / Forecast
If you have read until this very line (sorry my newsletter always get longer as expected), you are probably feeling a certain fascination for Bolivia and / or Animalma’s work. Become part of our story…
Volunteer trip 2023
What started as a crazy idea back in 2020 and was on hold during Corona now becomes reality! From end of February until mid March I am organising the very first volunteer journey to Bolivia. Get to know Senda Verde, the rangers and the stunning Bolivian nature. Let yourself get charmed, inspired and maybe even healed… 😉
I will be your tourguide and together we are going to travel through my spirit home, help out in different projects and also just enjoy the South American vibe and adventure. If you want to join, write me an e-mail to info@animalma.org.
It’s Animalma’s birthday
Animalma turns 8 years old in October and I want to use this opportunity to celebrate with all of you and finally bring the Animalma-family together again. Location and program are still wide open, but please already book Saturday 29th of October 2022.
Ideas / Inputs needed
Of course you can actively support me and Animalma from Switzerland aswell. Right now I’m looking for:
Someone who loves research and would check a little list of laws so I can import the famous Madidi coffee and wild bee honey from Bolivia.
Creative hands crafting goods with donated materials to be sold before Christmas.
People who want to support the bday bash (location hint, behind the bar, with food or a stunt for everyone…)
Cool ideas for merchandising products. An association-bound donation is waiting for a while now to be put to use for sustainable goodies. Let me know your inputs in the comment section below or via info@animalma.org.
I always appreciate feedback and ideas from the Animalma family on how we can spread our message even further and increase our impact.
Nevertheless, I want to finish this newsletter with the insight sticking with me the most from my last journey:
In small steps we are making a big difference for the animals, people and nature on the ground. Thank you to each and every donor – you make all of this possible!
All pictures in this Newsletter have been taken by Noelia Chalfoun – She’s been working for Senda Verde for a few months and takes the most amazing portraits. Thank you Noelia!
Dearest Animalma-Family
As president of Animalma I want to wish you a wonderful 2022 this way and hope that all of you have started this year well.
I’m already in the finishing touches of planning my next trip to Bolivia. On the 4th of February I’ll be visiting my second home for five weeks. Prior to this I don’t want to miss my chance to show you our Animalma projects in this newsletter.
End of year = annual accounts
Accounting is not my favourite thing in the world. I’m all the more proud, when I can see all donation numbers clearly in our annual accounts.
These are my highlights; all of which have only been possible through your donations and support.
CHF 2’300.- have gone into the emergency account #SOSSendaVerde. These funds have helped with the daily food supply and primary care for our wildlife.
The new enclosure for the howler monkeys has finished construction at the end of 2021- thanks in part to the Animalma-Family, which has donated CHF 1’500 for this cause.
I’ll be able to supply pictures and videos of their new home after I return from Bolivia.
Our first step towards nature conservancy has been a success! CHF 2’600.- have been used at the following fronts:
CHF 500.- have been used to send Senda Verde’s Vet onto an emergency visit to the fire areas in Otuquis.
The group built an emergency enclosure for injured animals, and made sure there were plenty of wateringholes for the surviving animals- the most important immediate measures after the flaming hell they endured.
The Parkrangers from the reserve Beni now have basic firefighting equipment which we brought directly to them.
With the money from the Turtle-adoption we bought gas with which the rangers will be able to go on patrol through the reserve all through February. Costs: CHF 225.-
The club treasury has also gotten many donations. For the first time ever I was able to cover all fixed costs with these donations – and there is still money left which will be used for merchandising for Animalma! ROAR
Thank you so much for all your donations – your help is arriving in Bolivia and is making a huge change!
Outlook 2022
From the beginning of February until the mid of March im in Bolivia. Besides visiting Senda Verde, I’ll also be visiting the rangers in the Beni reserve.
In addition to that I will fulfil one of my biggest dreams and I’ll be visiting one of the deepest parts of the amazon rainforest – the Madidi National park. One of the highest biodiversity in the world awaits me, which is sadly, currently being destroyed by deforestation, overexploitation and illegal trade of wild animals.
The topic of re-release of all challenges that come with that is constantly on my mind. They’ll be my constant companion on my what I call “research-trip”.
I’m so very excited for this new adventure and all the inspiration I will take back home with me. These will be the driving-force behind Animalma for 2022. As soon as I am back I will share all my experiences with you.
If you would like to donate anything for Bolivia that I can take with my on my trip, then these are your options:
A financial donation for the emergency account #SOSSendaVerde, which will help the animals of Senda Verde through the still ongoing Corona crisis.
A donation for the nature of Bolivia; you could either adopt a turtle, in which case the money will go to the rangers, or donate through our website with the purpose of “firefighting”. With this we will be able to have preventative measures for the next fire season in place.
I’m looking forward to an exciting 2022 with Animalma and with you. Stay healthy, take are and hasta luego!
“So how was it in Bolivia?” I’ve got asked many times over the past weeks. I’d love to answer with a simple “Awesome!”, but the honest answer is…
It was wonderful and devastating at the same time, with light and heavy moments…and as always, Bolivia was deeply inspiring.
It was wonderful to
Arrive at Senda Verde and see all those beautiful faces again – animal and human one’s of course.
Bring your donations directly and see their impact with every feeding time (thanks to the Emergency fund) and to observe the construction work for the nursery cage.
Get onto my mission “Matafuego” (Firefighting): I brought backpack pumps, fire extinguishers and breathing masks to the park rangers of the Beni station, thanks to my Swiss supporters. And I had the unique chance to accompany the rangers on their everyday work within their protected area – an unforgettable experience.
Another part of the donations enabled a veterinary from Senda Verde to go into the Otuquis national park. She was able to build a temporary cage for hurt animals as well as setting up much needed water stations throughout the burnt down areas.
Devastating because…
Due to the travel restrictions, there are nearly no volunteers at Senda Verde, who help with the care of the 900+ animals. It is the permanent workers facing this tough job every day for over 1.5 years now.
International tourism is still at a low point and the daily tours at the shelter are only booked on the weekends. Senda Verde is still far away from covering their daily costs through this income like they did before the pandemic.
Bolivia’s forests and their inhabitants are in a deep predicament; they are burnt down on a large scale to make space for the farming of cattle. Their ressources are extracted legally and illegaly – also in protected areas.
Also wildlife refuges, animal welfare activists and conservastionists in general face an extremely complex and difficult political situation. I felt fear and uncertainty, deep sorrow but also again and again hope and militancy.
And because of that, it was often light as a feather when…
I talked with old and new friends about Animalma, animal welfare, conservation and Bolivia in general. Feeling a deep connection while philosophizing about a better world for everyone.
The newly arrived baby Andean bear cuddled up in my lap, giving me all his trust when holding his afternoon nap on top of me.
One feels the travel spirit of limitless freedom, being completely alive with every fiber of your body and feeling right at home despite of the distance.
I walked with Ralph the “problem dog” through the lush green hills of the Yungas.
You fall into your bed tired but completely satisfied after a day in nature, caring for animals and doing research about the things that truly matter to you.
It was especially heavy to see that
Senda Verde is still in survival mode due to the lack of volunteers and tourists.
Additional wild animals arrive daily at the refuge – taken from nature by poachers, confused and at the end of their strength, being victims of illegal trafficking which destroys a little bit of nature’s balance with every animal taken from the wild.
Bolivia’s protected areas with their stunning biodiversity and indigenous people are a hassle to the government, as they just want to profit from these natural ressources. And that people who stand up against them have to be worried about their own safety.
But despite of the emotional rollercoaster, true inspiration prevails. I am inspired to
Keep pushing the Emergency fund for Senda Verde until tourism is back to normal. And to give the Howler campaign another last push to get the finishing touches inside the cage done. Please share the following campaigns again over the next few weeks (“Christmas time is donation time!”):
The construcction of a nursery cage for the young Howler monkeys living at Senda Verde
Realise my idea of doing a yearly volunteer trip to Bolivia. Who is with me? The next adventure will be around February / March 2022. After that, the next chance to travel with me as your guide to Bolivia will be between January and March 2023. Details follow…
Set up a comprehensive campaign for the rangers and their protected areas and therefore doing the first step into nature conservation. Let’s take this first step today with a mini-campaign: Until the end of November you can adopt turtles from the Beni region. To protect the eggs from being sold as food, the rangers have rescued them and put them safely on an artificial beach. Now the turtles are hatching and will be released back into the wild at the end of November. All the donations go to supporting the work of the park rangers and will have a real impact on the protection of the Beni region. Adopt your bunch of turtles today for only CHF 1.50 each:
Support the rangers doing their vital conservation work by adopting a turtle. The donations go directly to preserve the protected area Reserva de la Biosfera Estación Biologica del Beni.
To finish it up
I look back on three intense weeks and am so greatful for this time spent in my second home. I feel deeply connected to Bolivia, its’ nature, animals and people – they are part of me and I am committed to keep standing up for them. I want to use this moment to give:
A huge THANK YOU to each and every donor! You make my conservation work possible, you all are my heroes!
Because pictures say more than words, I leave you with a gallery full of my favourite moments of this journey. See for yourself how our help arrives – it is truly beautiful. And who knows, maybe it inspires you to join me on my next adventure. 😉
The green mountains of the Yungas region – down in the valley lays the refuge.The bridge leads into the shelter…Capi das CapybaraSilala, a heavily traumatised spider monkey, who could not have been integrated into the existing monkey troop so far.View towards the capuchin area…Without Carla, “Project Dron”…
Senda Verde from aboveCubaiScared by wildlife trafficking……but at least with a partner.Carla: veterinary, animal activist and wonderful friend.…would not have been finished so quickly and nicely!
The Emergency fund…
…is filling the food prep room……and feeds the animals of Senda Verde.
The Emergency fund was triggered by policital tensions in 2019 and just kept going feeding the 900+ animals of Senda Verde during the Corona crisis.
Animalma keeps fundraising for food supplies until tourism in Bolivia is back to normal.
I’m travelling to Bolivia on the 22nd of September to visit our heart project, the wildlife refuge Senda Verde. It still feels surreal and until my feet are firmly on bolivian soil on the 23rd, a million things could still go wrong.
At the same time, I can’t wait to arrive at Senda Verde and reunite with all the amazing animals and people after four long years. I’ll spend three weeks there on a personal timeout, but will also take lots of pictures and videos so I can show you where and how all your donations have helped maintaining and improving the lifes of many wild animals.
I thank each and everyone of you with all my heart for the tireless support you have shown…
…may it have been in the form of a financial donation or one in kind, for sharing our campaigns and also for every inspiring discussion about Animalma’s animal welfare work!
Of course I’ll also use this newsletter to promote our current campaigns. That way I can bring as many donations as possible directly to Bolivia.
The construction work for the nursery cage has begun – thanks to the already received donations through Animalma and other supporters of Senda Verde. Any further help will make sure that the baby monkeys can move in sooner.
PS: All the returns from Jeannine’s beautiful bracelets will go to this project from now on. Send your order to info@animalma.org or directly to the artist via jeannine@brugger.me.
Bolivia is burning
Like every year, the forests of Bolivia are burning. And like every year, countless animals burn alive. Whole ecosystems are destroyed forever. These lands are set on fire on purpose – to be used for agriculture.
This complex (and global) problem hits me at my very core and paralyses me each year anew, which is why I have decided to set up a periodic campaign. A mixture of raising awareness and funds for an emergency relief, beginning in 2022.
If you want to help the voluntary firefighters right now and send your help with me, you can do so through our general page by remarking you donation with «fire relief»: https://www.animalma.org/en/support-us/ Every amount is greatly appreciated. I would love to receive any and all feedback or inspiration concerning this new topic.
I won’t have any internet or mobile reception at the refuge, so if I get the chance I will report directly from Bolivia through Social Media. I will definitely update you in detail on Animalma’s website once I’ve returned in the end of October.
Until then I’ll say
„¡Hasta pronto!“, “Take good care of yourself” “Be kind to one another” & “Always help an animal in need – wherever, whenever!”
