02 Apr El Nispero Wildlife Refugee El Valle
El Níspero, El Valle
In 1978 El Nispero started as a private weekend retreat for two Panamanians. One is a surgeon and the other an engineer, with their own little collection of cactuses, orchids, citrus fruit and other types of trees. The first animals to arrive at El Nispero were a goose by the name of Alberto, 48 quails and 6 rabbits. In time, some pheasants and doves were brought in or exchanged with acquaintances. At this time the retreat still remained private.
After Noriega was deposed in 1990, the tapirs he had held in Chiriqui were brought to El Nispero bringing with them huge public attention. This was the start for El Nispero to becoming a public place to be visited. Initially, Panamanians visited on Sundays when traveling to their weekend residences in El Valle from other areas of Panamá.
As time went on, with increasing tourism, people from all over the world would be able to see animals here that can’t easily be found in nature. City dwellers would come to see different kinds of monkeys, tapirs, jaguars, and many more.
This, of course, incurred costs for medicine and special food. Eventually, El Nispero had no choice but to charge visitors a minimal amount for entrance into the park. We were also able to supplement the costs by selling flowers and plants. These additional fees also allowed us to improve the animals living space in the park.
El Nispero became a wildlife-refugee for injured or abandoned animals. We also received help from private animal-donators, MiAmbiente, the ministry of environment, or the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, who sheltered an amphibian exhibition and laboratory for more than 10 years.
Although animals are released back into a natural habitat whenever possible, there are some that would not survive. These animals are kept here at El Nispero where they receive food, shelter and medical care.
Some of the animals do require medicine and many require special food.
We have 13 employees looking after the animals constantly. We also have volunteers that maintain the animals environment such as the cages, shelters and gardens. Also on staff are a veterinarian, an administrator, and various other volunteers.
Please, help to maintain the Nispero’s vital functions during these difficult times.
There will be better times in the future!
Maurice Caballero/ Dr. Vetenario de El Nispero
[email protected]
Thank you Josefina for translating the message from Dr. Maurice at El Nispero, El Valle.
We sure hope soon, we can take another group of kids to learn about all the amazing animals and of course more about our home of choice, Panama!
Our last trip to El Nispero / El Valle with Josefina as our tour guide.