What makes Proyecto ASIS different from any other wildlife experience in Costa Rica? It starts with a simple but powerful idea: every animal here has a story, and every story is an opportunity to educate. Located in La Fortuna, Costa Rica near Arenal Volcano, Proyecto ASIS is a wildlife rescue center, sanctuary, and educational center dedicated to rescuing injured and orphaned animals, promoting ethical wildlife tourism, and fighting the exotic pet trade. Whether you join us for a Wildlife Tour, add a hands-on Volunteering component, or explore the Sloth Tour, you’ll leave with a completely new understanding of what it means to coexist with nature.
Welcome to Proyecto ASIS, we are a wildlife rescue center, sanctuary, and educational center. Our main goal is to use the sanctuary and the cases we have here — animals that end up with us due to human-related reasons — to tell their stories and motivate people to avoid keeping exotic pets, promote more ethical tourism with wildlife, and give the animals that come here for medical care a chance to go back home. As we say: I hope not to see you again out here.
It’s important to understand that because we coexist with them, we can observe them — but we do not interact directly, because otherwise we would be affecting their natural behavior.
Wildlife Tour
For daily visitors, we offer a Wildlife Tour: a guided walk with our tour guides, because people normally have questions about the animals and we want to explore what they want to learn. That’s the Wildlife Tour.
Wildlife Tour + Volunteering
Then we have the Wildlife Tour + Volunteering. The volunteering component comes at the end of the tour — we go and prepare the animals’ diet together, and help make enrichment toys so we can feed them equally and avoid any conflict. This helps visitors understand that the care behind this sanctuary requires a lot of work — and that having a monkey, for example, is not just about having a cute animal that will be fine on its own. It requires tremendous effort and dedication to their welfare.
Sloth Tour & Environmental Education
We also offer the Sloth Tour, which has a strong environmental education component. We teach elementary school students, and give university students the opportunity to complete their volunteer hours here.
More Than a Sanctuary
So more than a sanctuary, more than a rescue center — what we truly are is a wildlife educational center.
🎬 A special thank you to the journalism students from Mercer University’s Macon Newsroom (@maconnewsroom) for producing this video. Your talent, dedication, and passion for storytelling made this possible — we are truly grateful!
Vitalina Alfaro has been welcoming Proyecto ASIS volunteers into her home since 2015, sharing it with her husband Walter, her son Andrés, and Dan, the family dog. With two more children, Eylin and Alexander, and 3 grandchildren who visit often, Vitalina’s home is full of warmth — and the smell of her famous homemade “pancito” bread rolls. We sat down with her to hear what nearly a decade of open doors has meant to her family.
Mi nombre es Vitalina Alfaro. Vivo con mi esposo, Walter Campos, y mi hijo Andrés. Desde el 2015 recibo voluntarios y tengo una experiencia muy bonita de recibirlos aquí en mi casa. Tengo dos hijos más, Eylin y Alexander, y 3 nietos.
Entrevistadora: Bueno, Vita, y dentro de las cosas que le gusta hacer, ¿cuáles son sus actividades favoritas?
Vita: Pasar tiempo con mis hijos y con mis nietos, y hacerles comida — les gusta mucho que les haga comida. El pancito les gusta mucho que se lo haga a mis hijos.
English
My name is Vitalina Alfaro. I live with my husband, Walter Campos, and my son Andrés. I’ve been hosting volunteers since 2015, and it’s been a really beautiful experience welcoming them into my home. I have two more children, Eylin and Alexander, and 3 grandchildren.
Interviewer: So Vita, among the things you enjoy doing, what are your favorite activities?
Vita: Spending time with my children and grandchildren, and cooking for them — they really love it when I cook for them. My kids especially love it when I make them little bread rolls (pancito).
Interested in staying with a local family during your volunteer experience? Learn more about our homestay program and what to expect during your stay in Costa Rica.
Carmen has been welcoming Proyecto ASIS volunteers into her home in San Pedro de La Tigra, Costa Rica for an incredible 17 years — making her one of the most experienced homestay hosts in the entire program. She lives with her husband Ronald, who works in agriculture, and shares a deep love of plants that makes her home feel like a true natural sanctuary. We sat down with her to hear what nearly two decades of open doors has meant to her family.
Hola, buenos días. Soy Carmen, vivo en San Pedro de La Tigra, tengo 3 hijos y vivo con mi esposo. Mi esposo Ronald trabaja en agricultura y a mí me gustan mucho las plantas.
Adriana: ¿Y hace cuánto nos hospeda voluntarios, Carmencita? Carmen: Aproximadamente ya tengo como unos 17 años. Adriana: ¡Muchísimo tiempo! Ha sido una bonita experiencia. Carmen: Bastante, una experiencia muy bonita, tener voluntarios.
English
Hi, good morning! I’m Carmen, I live in San Pedro de La Tigra, I have 3 children and I live with my husband. My husband Ronald works in agriculture and I love plants.
Adriana: And how long have you been hosting volunteers for us, Carmencita? Carmen: Approximately 17 years already. Adriana: Such a long time! It’s been a beautiful experience. Carmen: Very much so — a really beautiful experience, having volunteers.
Interested in staying with a local family during your volunteer experience? Learn more about our homestay program and what to expect during your stay in Costa Rica.
Mariela Vargas has been welcoming Proyecto ASIS volunteers into her home in La Fortuna, Costa Rica since 2014. A passionate plant lover and organic farmer, Mariela crafts her own Kombucha and Kefir at home — making her homestay one of the most unique in the program. Joining her is her mom Mari, who goes by María Lidia but everyone calls Mari, and who is already counting down to your next visit. We sat down with them to hear what over a decade of open doors has meant to their family.
Hola, mi nombre es Mariela Vargas. Hospedo turistas desde el 2014 con Proyecto ASIS. Me gustan las plantas y trabajo en abonos orgánicos; realizo fermentos como la Kombucha y el Kéfir.
Les presento a mi mamá, ella se llama María Lidia.
Los esperamos con mucho cariño y espero que les guste la estadía en nuestra casa.
Yo soy Mari — María Lidia — pero me dicen Mari. Ya hemos tenido la experiencia de recibir voluntarios aquí y ha sido muy agradable, una experiencia muy bonita. Espero que vuelvan pronto. Aquí los estamos esperando con los brazos abiertos.
English
Hi, my name is Mariela Vargas. I’ve been hosting tourists since 2014 with Proyecto Asis. I love plants and I work with organic fertilizers — I make ferments like Kombucha and Kefir.
Let me introduce you to my mom — her name is María Lidia.
We look forward to welcoming you with lots of love, and I hope you enjoy your stay at our home.
I’m Mari — María Lidia — but everyone calls me Mari. We’ve already had the experience of hosting volunteers here and it’s been very pleasant, a really beautiful experience. I hope you come back soon. We’re here waiting for you with open arms.
Interested in staying with a local family during your volunteer experience? Learn more about our homestay program and what to expect during your stay in La Fortuna.
Ester has been welcoming Proyecto Asis volunteers into her home in El Futuro — a quiet, beautiful village just outside La Fortuna, Costa Rica — since 2015. A passionate farmer, a proud cilantro grower, and a self-declared bingo enthusiast, Ester shares her home with her grandson Lucas, with her daughter Kely living just 50 meters away. We sat down with her to learn what a decade of open doors has meant to her and her family.
My name is Ester. I’ve been helping Proyecto ASIS by hosting volunteers since 2015, and it’s a pleasure to welcome whoever comes my way. I live here in El Futuro — it’s a very beautiful, peaceful place. I assure you, you’re going to love it. Living with me at home are Lucas, my grandson, and yours truly. And just 50 meters away lives my daughter Kely. It will be my pleasure to have you.
I have a little farm and I love working in agriculture. Our most dedicated crop is cilantro — I sell it right here in the community and we also supply the national market.
I love it — my favorite hobby is bingo, and cooking… well, maybe I’m not the best cook, but I love seeing people happy with what I make. I always try my best.
Adriana (interviewer): And in bingo, what’s the best part?
Ester: Winning a prize! Don’t even doubt it!
Mi nombre es Ester. Le ayudo a Proyecto ASIS recibiendo voluntarios desde el 2015, y es un gusto recibir a quien me llegue. Yo vivo aquí en El Futuro, es un lugar muy bonito y tranquilo. Les aseguro que van a disfrutar. En mi casa vive Lucas, mi nieto, y esta servidora. Y a 50 metros de mi casa está mi hija Kely. Para mí será un gusto atenderles.
Tengo una pequeña granjita y me gusta trabajar la agricultura. El producto más trabajado es el culantro, que yo lo vendo aquí en el lugar donde resido y también lo vendemos al mercado nacional.
Me encanta — mi hobbie preferido es el bingo, y la cocinada… pues tal vez no soy tan buena, pero me gusta que las personas queden contentas con lo que cocino. Procuro hacerlo bien.
Adriana (entrevistadora): ¿Y en el bingo, la mejor parte?
Ester: ¡Ganarse un premio! ¡Ni lo dude!
Interested in staying with a local family during your volunteer experience? Learn more about our homestay program and what to expect during your stay in La Fortuna.
Rosy and Laura have been welcoming Proyecto ASIS volunteers into their home in La Fortuna, Costa Rica since 2009. A warm mother-daughter team, they’ve hosted guests from all over the world — from toddlers to grandparents — sharing morning sunrises, afternoon coffee, card games, and the company of Tommy, their beloved 15-year-old dog. We sat down with them to hear what over a decade of open doors really means to their family.
Hola, soy Rosy. Nosotros somos una familia que hospedamos turistas desde el 2009. ¡Aquí serán bienvenidos!
Hola, mi nombre es Laura. Soy la menor de los 3 hijos de Rosy y Pablo. ¡Este es Tommy, la mascotita que tiene 15 años de estar con nosotros! Mi hermano mayor se llama Jorge, está casado y tiene 34 años. Luego le sigue Óscar, que vive acá con nosotros y tiene 33 años. Y yo, que tengo 30.
¡Bueno, Laura y Rosy! Cuéntennos: ¿qué es lo que más les ha gustado de hospedar voluntarios?
Rosy: Bueno, de mi parte, lo que más me ha gustado es compartir muchas culturas con diferentes personas, desde los 3 añitos hasta los 89. ¡Me ha encantado eso! Y compartir todos los días el amanecer, y también el cafecito de la tarde — nos encanta para charlar.
Laura: A mí también me gusta mucho compartir cuando vienen con niños, uno se siente muy identificado. Y como decía mi mamá, conocer culturas, compartir momentos — hasta pintando uñas y jugando cartas. ¡Muy bonito!
Interested in staying with a local family during your volunteer experience? Learn more about our homestay program. 👉 View Homestay Options
📖 Also meet Carmen, another one of our beloved homestay hosts → Meet Carmen
Carmen Sánchez has been welcoming Proyecto ASIS volunteers into her home in La Fortuna, Costa Rica for 15 years. Warm, family-oriented, and full of life, Carmen’s home gives volunteers an authentic taste of Costa Rican culture — from Sunday breakfasts with grandkids to backyard horses and a little parrot named Tuti. We sat down with her to learn a little more about the family behind the homestay.
Hi, I’m Carmen Sánchez. I’ve been hosting volunteers at my home for 15 years — it’s been a joy, a blessing. I have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. We have a little one with us — we’re on our own now, everyone is married — but we have a baby who keeps us great company.
This is Tuti! One more member of our family. We have 3 more, but this is Tuti, the little companion who’s here with us all the time.
So, Carmencita, what do you all enjoy? What are your hobbies here as a family?
Here in the family, the main thing is horses. My husband is a horseman, so that’s his hobby. On Sundays the grandkids come over for breakfast and we play bingo, cards, things like that. We also go out to watch soccer sometimes — the boys are soccer players, so we go watch them play on Sundays, or during the week too.
✅ Observe the area for the next 24 hours to see if the mother returns. ✅ If she doesn’t appear, contact SINAC or reach out to us for guidance. ❌ Please do not attempt to feed the baby, as offering the wrong food can put its life at risk.
💚 Learn, serve, and share, in harmony with Nature! Asis Costa Rica Wildlife and Sloth Sanctuary, Educational Tours, Volunteer programs, Homestay and Accommodation: https://institutoasis.com
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World Anteater Day: A Deep Dive into Its History and Why It Matters
Every year on November 19th, the world turns its attention to one of the most unique and specialized mammalian families: the anteaters. But beyond celebrating their strange beauty, World Anteater Day serves a critical purpose—to sound the alarm for species facing a silent extinction crisis. This day is a vital platform for education and conservation action for these often-misunderstood ecosystem engineers.
The History and Origin of World Anteater Day
Unlike many internationally recognized animal days, the creation of World Anteater Day is a powerful story of grassroots conservation. It was established in 2014 by the Anteater, Sloth & Armadillo (ASASG) Specialist Group, which is part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC).
The date of November 19th was chosen strategically. In 2014, a devastating series of wildfires in Brazil, a key habitat for the Giant Anteater, highlighted the urgent and escalating threats these animals face. The founders created this day to transform concern into global awareness, uniting researchers, sanctuaries, and the public under a common goal: to ensure the survival of all four anteater species.
Why Was It Created? The Urgent Need for Awareness
World Anteater Day was born from necessity. Despite their ecological importance, anteaters are often overlooked. The day was created to:
Combat Widespread Threats: Highlight the dangers of habitat loss, wildfires, road mortality, and poaching.
Promote Scientific Research: Share crucial findings on their biology and ecology to inform conservation strategies.
Unify Global Efforts: Provide a focal point for conservation groups worldwide to amplify their message.
Celebrating World Anteater Day: Guardians of the Ecosystem
Every year, World Anteater Day brings a global spotlight to one of the planet’s most unique and specialized mammals. This day is not just about celebrating their strange beauty but also about raising crucial awareness for their conservation. Far from being just “ant-eaters,” these creatures are vital ecosystem engineers, and their survival is under threat.
More Than a Name: Diversity and Taxonomy
The term “anteater” commonly refers to four species in the suborder Vermilingua (“worm-tongue”). Contrary to some nicknames, they are not related to bears. The family includes the massive Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), the arboreal Southern and Northern Tamanduas, and the tiny Silky Anteater.
The Remarkable Diversity of Anteaters
Often generalized as a single type of animal, the anteater family, scientifically known as Vermilingua, is surprisingly diverse. They are divided into three distinct genera, encompassing species of all sizes:
GENUS MYRMECOPHAGA
Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla): The largest species, terrestrial and unmistakable with its long, bushy tail and elongated snout.
GENUS TAMANDUA
Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana): An arboreal and terrestrial species found from Mexico into South America.
Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla): Similar in habit to its northern cousin but found in the southern part of the continent.
GENUS CYCLOPES (The Silky Anteaters) Recent genetic studies have revealed that what was once considered a single “silky anteater” species is actually a complex of at least seven distinct species.
Thomas’s Silky Anteater (Cyclopes thomasi).
Central American Silky Anteater (Cyclopes dorsalis).
Xingu Silky Anteater (Cyclopes Xiguensis).
Red Silky Anteater (Cyclopes rufus).
Amboro Silky Anteater (Cyclopes Catellus).
Common Silky Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus).
Rio Negro Silky Anteater (Cyclopes ida).
Anatomical Marvels: Built for a Specialized Diet
Anteaters are walking adaptations. Their most famous feature is a tongue that can extend up to 60 cm (2 feet) in the Giant Anteater, coated in sticky saliva to capture thousands of insects. They have no teeth; instead, they use powerful stomach muscles to grind their prey. They walk on their knuckles with claws turned inward to protect those formidable digging tools used to break into rock-hard termite mounds.
A Precarious Existence: Conservation Status
The Giant Anteater is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, while others range from Vulnerable to Least Concern. However, all face similar, escalating threats. The overall population trend for most species is decreasing.
Geographical Distribution and Threats to Survival
Found from Central America down to South America, anteaters inhabit grasslands, rainforests, and dry forests. Their survival is jeopardized by:
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Due to agriculture, wildfires, and urban expansion.
Road Mortality: They are frequently victims of vehicle collisions.
Hunting and Poaching: Both for food and due to superstitions.
How Can We Help Protect This Species?
On World Anteater Day and every day, we can all contribute:
Support Conservation Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with groups working to protect anteater habitats and conduct research.
Choose Sustainable Products: Support sustainable agriculture and forestry to help reduce habitat destruction in their range countries.
Educate and Spread Awareness: Share information about their ecological importance. They control insect populations, benefiting both forests and farmland.
Advocate for Wildlife Corridors: Support initiatives that create safe passages for wildlife to cross roads and fragmented landscapes.
By understanding and championing these extraordinary animals, we can help ensure that future generations will also marvel at the sight of an anteater, a true testament to nature’s ingenuity.
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Mark your calendars! This year, International Sloth Day falls on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Celebrated every third Saturday of October, this global event is dedicated to raising awareness about these fascinating, slow-moving mammals and the challenges they face in the wild.
Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni).
But International Sloth Day is about more than just sharing adorable pictures (though we encourage that, too!). It’s a day to learn, appreciate, and take action to ensure these unique creatures thrive for generations to come.
More Than Just Slow: Why Sloths are Ecosystem Superstars
It’s easy to love sloths for their perpetual smiles and leisurely pace, but their true value lies in their critical role within their ecosystem. Found in the rainforests of Central and South America, sloths are unsung heroes of the canopy.
Mobile Ecosystems: A single sloth’s fur is a thriving ecosystem, hosting algae, moths, beetles, and other organisms. This algae gives them a greenish tint, providing excellent camouflage from predators like eagles and jaguars.
Forest Fertilizers: Their slow digestion and infrequent trips to the forest floor mean that when they do descend to relieve themselves, they deposit nutrient-rich waste that fertilizes the very trees they live in. This helps maintain the health and growth of the rainforest.
Seed Dispersers: By eating fruits and leaves from various trees, sloths play a small but important role in seed dispersal, contributing to forest regeneration.
The Challenges They Face: Why They Need Our Help
Despite their peaceful existence, sloth populations are under threat. The primary dangers include:
Habitat Loss: Deforestation and the fragmentation of rainforests for agriculture and urban development are the biggest threats, leaving sloths without homes or food sources.
The Illegal Pet Trade: Poaching sloths from the wild to be sold as exotic pets is a cruel and devastating practice that most often ends in the animal’s death.
Human Conflict: As their habitats shrink, sloths are increasingly forced into urban areas where they face dangers from power lines, dogs, and vehicles.
How You Can Celebrate International Sloth Day 2025
You don’t have to live in a rainforest to make a difference. Here are meaningful ways to honor these incredible animals:
Educate Yourself and Others: Share this post or other reputable resources on your social media using hashtags like #InternationalSlothDay and #SlothDay2025.
Support Reputable Conservation Organizations: Consider donating to or volunteering with groups dedicated to sloth rescue and rainforest preservation, such as The Sloth Conservation Foundation or World Wildlife Fund or Proyecto Asis.
Make Sustainable Choices: Support products that use sustainably sourced palm oil and recycled wood/paper to help reduce deforestation.
Embrace the “Sloth Mindset”: Take a cue from our slow-moving friends. In our fast-paced world, use this day as a reminder to slow down, be present, and appreciate the simple moments.
This International Sloth Day, let’s channel our inner sloth—not just in pace, but in purpose. By working together, we can ensure these gentle, iconic animals continue to hang around for a long, long time.
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