History

The Beginning

In 1990, agricultural engineer Angelika Raimann travelled to the Rio Napo to write her dissertation on the regeneration of deforested rainforests. But when she witnessed on site how quickly nature was disappearing, she made the decision to actively combat this. This decision gradually developed into a multi-faceted project.

1990

Angelika Raimann

1993

The Animal Rescue Centre

The animal rescue centre amaZOOnico offers a new home to wild animals that have been confiscated in the illegal trade or kept as pets. Ideally only temporarily, because if possible the animals are released back into the protected forest. In this way, the amaZOOnico helps to consolidate populations of characteristic forest dwellers.

Runa Huasi

Runa Huasi is a hotel founded by the Kichwa community that provides families with a stable income and contributes to the long-term protection of the rainforest. Your overnight stays at Runa Huasi support the local community and promote sustainable tourism. Together we can preserve the rainforest and provide a sustainable future for the local people. Unfortunately, this project no longer exists.

1993

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1993

The Co-operative

As a vital partner project, the rainforest protection co-operative GSR and FCP Selva Viva acquires and manages the forest areas into which the animals of amaZOOnico can be migrated.

Sachamanda

The Post from the Rainforest was first published in 1998 to report on all the projects involved. It is the information channel between the projects. The magazine is now also available as an e-mail newsletter.

1998

1999

The Hotel

The small hotel on the banks of the Rio Arajuno allows visitors to experience the rainforest and its inhabitants up close. It provides jobs for the local population and is intended to contribute to the long-term financing of the amaZOOnico.

The School

The ‘School In The Rainforest’ next to the amaZOOnico enables children from the surrounding area to receive an education with a focus on languages. As a result, graduates of the school are sought after by employers in tourism and have a good chance of finding a permanent position.

2001

2005

Logo: Padrinos del amaZOOnico

The Padrinos

Founded by ex-volunteers of the amaZOOnico, the association actively supports the amaZOOnico. Every year they organise an ex-volunteer meeting, bring out the Sachamanda, collect donations for the amaZOOnico and much more. The Padrinos are a way for many to stay connected to the project.

Ethnobotanical Garden

The Ethnobotanical Garden, founded by Edision Canelos and his family, is a unique place on the island of Anaconda where you can discover medicinal and useful plants. The garden invites visitors to explore the diversity of the plant world and gain knowledge about its medicinal and useful properties. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of plants and learn more about their significance for local culture and tradition. The Ethnobotanical Garden is a place of inspiration and learning that connects you with the beauty and value of the plant world.

2013

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2021

Wankuriska Ayllu Canelos

This project was founded by the women on the island with the aim of sharing the Kichwa culture with guests. Visitors can learn about various traditional aspects and support sustainable tourism in the process.

Casa Yachak

The ‘Casa Yachak’ project will begin in 2024 and will focus on the various spiritual traditions of the Kichwa. A shaman will explain rituals using indigenous natural medicine and give an insight into his work. The main aim is to preserve the traditional culture of the Kichwa and also to pass it on to tourists. Tourists can thus learn from the locals at first hand.

2024

2025

Website

To provide online information about all projects, Sachamanda builds its own webseite and social media channels.