News

A place to swing

In early September 2025, a new, large enclosure was built for the spider monkeys at AmaZOOnico. A generous donation from the German organization “Rettet den Regenwald” (Save the Rainforest) made it possible to provide the monkeys with a more natural environment. Thanks to the support of the many helpers from Isla Anaconda and the current volunteers at AmaZOOnico, the monkeys were able to move into their new enclosure on November 15, 2025.

We call it “a place to swing” because now that the monkeys are secured by an electric fence and a natural barrier and no longer have a wire mesh roof over their heads, they can climb as much and as high as they like. They now live in an environment that is much more in line with their natural habitat than their old enclosure.

We decided to proceed with the relocation of the spider monkeys in two phases. This means that only the females and young were moved first. We are now checking whether the enclosure is truly secure and that the monkeys cannot escape. Based on the current situation, we are confident that our male monkeys can also be moved soon. This also applies to Johan, who managed to escape a few times before and therefore had to be kept separate from the others to ensure he didn’t leave his enclosure. A place to swing could be his chance to live with the other monkeys again.

We hope that the new environment will facilitate the release of more spider monkeys into the wild, because they will be better accustomed to the rainforest environment and will have significantly more space where they can learn the skills needed for life in the wild more effectively and actively.

Here you will find news about Sachamanda and the associated projects.

Minga on Isla Anaconda

A minga was held on Isla Anaconda on October 3rd as part of an Ishpingo project. A minga is a traditional form of volunteer work where different people come together to achieve something for the good of the community.

Through the minga, Ishpingo supports the work of the women of “Wankuriska Ayllu Canelos” with their plantation project. A large number of different useful and medicinal plants are cultivated sustainably. The fruit from the trees is then sold to the animal rescue center AmaZOOnico as food for the animals, providing the community a fair and safe income while ensuring the animals are well cared for.

At the minga on October 3rd, new potting soil was prepared so that many new plants can be planted soon, making sure the collaboration between the community and AmaZOOnico can be continued.

Thanks go to Ishpingo, the women of Wankuriska Ayllu Canelos, and all other helpers.

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A new tapir

Wagra was a victim of wildlife trafficking. She was rescued and cared for at Kuri Pachamama, a wildlife rehabilitation center in Ecuador. Animals stay at the center for a short time to prepare for their release. However, there is no space for a tapir release close to Misahualli, where the center is located. Therefore, Kuri Pachamama cooperates with amaZOOnico. On the 12th of July 2025, Wagra arrived at amaZOOnico to join the tapir release programme. After acclimatising to her new surroundings in an enclosure near her release spot, she will be released into the Selva Viva protected rainforest at the end of August. A researcher from Kuri Pachamama will observe Wagra’s behaviour before and after the release.

Due to tapir sightings on the road through Selva Viva, amaZOOnico is planning to install warning signs along the route. One of these is sponsored by Kuri Pachamama and another by Roots & Shoots Ecuador. The other four are paid by amaZOOnico.

 Kuri Pachamama

Roots & Shoots

Charity run

We wish all students and teachers of the Marie Curie Gymnasium in Dresden lots of fun, luck and energy for their rainforest fundraising run, which will take place on May 5, 2025. Over the past 20 years, countless projects, such as the reintroduction of white-bellied spider monkeys, the protection of other rainforest areas and the rehabilitation and release of endangered animal species, have already been realized in amaZOOnico with this fundraising run. We are very grateful for this and look with confidence into the future and forward to many more years of good cooperation!