Photos by SIBU Sanctuary

Rosie Heindl, a volunteer working with the auction, says they have collected over one hundred donated items for the 5th  Annual Save The Howlers Auction that will be held at the Harbor Reef Restaurant this Friday February 1st.

“We have many practical items, from restaurant gift certificates to pool supplies,” said Heindl.  “We also have massages, surf lessons, house rentals, art and jewelry, and much, much more. We have had a tremendous response from the business community”.

Nosara Wildlife Rescue holds the auction every year to raise funds for the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife.

Brenda Bombard, chief “animal rescuer,” describe how is the process of rescuing an animal. “Call me if you see an injured animal. I’ll come. My cell number is 8824-3323. I have the equipment and the skills to help these animals. Monkeys are my most frequent rescues but I take any wild animal. You do not need to handle these situations alone.”

Once Brenda Bombard has an animal ready for rehabilitation, Vicki and Steve Coan take over. The Coans have created Sibu, a sanctuary and rehabilitation program for injured and orphaned animals.

Sibu is a system of “step down” enclosures where monkeys and other animals learn to be wild again – finding the foods they need and interacting with one another. Eventually, most work their way right out the door – full release back to the jungle.

“Time is what the orphaned monkeys need” said Vicki Coan.  “Time to grow up and learn what it takes to live in the jungle.  A gentle and successful transition is what we give them at Sibu, and it works”.

One released adult now leads his own troupe. “There is no doubt in my mind that we have more monkeys in Nosara now because of the work of Nosara Wildlife Rescue” adds Steve Coan.