It’s here! The 35th edition of Sachamanda magazine is out. Sachamanda is the newsletter for all projects connected to AmaZOOnico. Every December, we publish a new issue, which you can now easily view on our website under “Sachamanda Newsletter” or “Post from the Rainforest.” You can also subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date.

This issue covers not only what has happened this year but also the progress and successes of previous years. It includes a look back at the early days and then moves on to current projects.

From successful releases of wild animals living at AmaZOOnico to new and existing collaborations with various organizations and institutions, an introduction to the AmaZOOnico team, and volunteer testimonials, there’s plenty to read. AmaZOOnico isn’t the only organization with news to share; the Padrinos support association, the Liana Lodge eco-hotel, and the Selva Viva cooperative for rainforest conservation also have updates to share.

Thanks go to AmaZOOnico, the members of Padrinos and the editors of Sachamanda.

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, according to our expert, is prone to escaping 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.

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.