Alex Martinez operates a well-known bed and
breakfast and tour guiding business near the town of
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui in northeastern Costa Rica.  
For many years he and a small group of dedicated
people have served as volunteer wildlife wardens.  
With little funding or support of any kind, they have
been on the front lines of the often dangerous
business of investigating and intervening in illegal
hunting, fishing, pet trade exploitation of wildlife and
logging.  Alex is often the recipient of animals, usually
birds, that his group and other authorities confiscate
from poachers or rescue from illegal captivity.  

There has been a long-standing need for a place to
care for and release confiscated wildlife.  At present,
there are few places in the country to take animals
that cannot be simply released back into the wild.  
Trauma, disease and malnutrition--conditions
frequently seen in animals rescued from this
exploitation--often leave few options other than
euthanasia.

In the fall of 2007, a long-time friend of Alex's,
U.S.-based environmental consultant and author,
Kevin Brewster,  facilitated the purchase of a parcel
of forested land near Alex's home.  The property
proved to be rich in wildlife and plant diversity
beyond all expectations; examples of the region's
amazing bird fauna are particularly obvious when one
first arrives.  
About Us
Adjoining an enormous expanse of forested
lands, this property is now part of a growing
network of private preserves that will
eventually complete a biological corridor
running through the entire country,
connecting with critical wild lands in
Nicaragua and Panama.  Its isolation and
abundant resident and transient wildlife make
it the perfect location for rehabilitating and
releasing native species.  

The images (updated 2/10) here include views
of the  surrounding countryside (Brualio
Carillo National Park), plants and animals
found on the property, the new volunteer
quarters, the original farmhouse, confiscated
wildlife under care here,  Alex (releasing a
parrot into an enclosure), and Kevin.