We receive many e-mails regarding Paradise Garden. For those of you who have never visited Boquete, Paradise Garden was a Wildlife rescue and flower garden. The original owners, Paul and Jenny, had to leave the country and put the Garden up for sale. It had been open during the transition staffed by volunteers who wanted to see the rescue continue. The recent purchase has closed the rescue to the public. It was always somewhat contriversal whether it was becoming too much like a 'zoo". Many injured and abused animals were taken in; some released back to the wild, while others remained forever behind bars. Being an animal advocate myself, I felt that most, if not all, should be released once they are heathy. I am of the belief that a wild animal should go back to the wild. I feel that they would rather have a 'free' shorter life in the wild, as nature intended, then live a long sad life in a cage. As a child I found it difficult to visit a zoo in the US. I wanted to open all the cage doors and set them all free.
However, there is a need for a true rescue in this remote area of Panama. Monkey's are often captured and kept in small cages to be displayed at the next fair. Wild parrots are caught and sold by the road side, often painted to look like a more exotic species. It seems that this need has caught the attention of Dorothy and Duane Howes. They will be opening LA JUNGLA DE PANAMÁ in 2011.
"There will be a petting zoo with calves, goats, and other farm animals. At the back of the estate will be housing for the more exotic animals, many of which will be rescue cases. The Howes’ are working with ANAM (the governmental agency charged with the protection of nature and wildlife) to receive injured, abandoned, and abused animals, with the goal of releasing them back into their natural environment whenever possible." They are also looking for volunteers.
For a more detailed explanation of their vision you can go to: http://www.boquete-bajareque-times.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=273:panama-jungle&catid=44:life&Itemid=66
To read more about Paradise Garden: http://boquetesafaritours.typepad.com/boquete_mountain_safari_t/2009/06/paradise-garden-raises-awareness-on-the-illegal-bird-trade.html
Comments