Volunteering @ Paradise Gardens
Trip Start
Dec 14, 2008
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3
5
Trip End
Dec 30, 2008
Boquete, Panama
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
I spent a week volunteering at Paradise Gardens. Paradise Gardens is an animal rescue center where they rehabilitate animals and release them back into the wild, when appropirate. During my time here at the center I fed animals, cleaned up a bit, hung christmas lights, did a bit of office work and of course played with the animals!
Here at the garden they have some birds, monkeys, kinkajus, ocelots, and even a baby sloth that is 6 months old. The sloth had a cold the first few days I was there, so we limited its contact with people, but Temba was feeling better at the end of the week. She was my favorite of all!
The first day I was there I went into an enclosure with two capichun monkeys. They were a bit excited with a toy that Els, a volunteer, had made, and they were jumping all around. They got a little too hyper and started biting me. The one got me good in the hand and the arm, but luckily it did not break any skin. My hand is a bit sore though!
The tours were very interesting to give. After being at the center for a few hours, I was already giving tours. After five days of tours, I don't know how people can be tour guides as it is very repetative! (but still fun) Here I met lots of people who I saw in other panama towns, so I always saw a familiar face. If you are interested in learning more or even volunteering check out the website! They also take donations online so if you feel like sponsoring an animal that would be great. I sponsered temba, my favorite sloth!!! www.paradisegardenspanama.com I will be returning here in the future!
oh, and there are the most amazing rainbows I have ever seen in Boquete! The first night there was a huge double rainbow, and I have seen at least 2 more today. The colors are so bright, and they are so close. You can see the entire thing! I wish it would fit in my camera becuase they are so big!
