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Well, it only took 10 days, but Step got us kicked out of Rainsong! The day started out being a bit annoyed as usual. None of the other volunteers notice things wrong with animals or enclosures so it’s mostly up to me and Step to bring it to someone’s attention which usually gets ignored anyway.
We had gotten a blind turtle so he was having a hard time finding food to eat and had no energy. For a few days Ben would force feed him by syringe but i just patiently waited with food near his mouth and eventually he ate. I suggested he be by himself but they said he was fine and 'he needs the company of the other two'. I am sure it stresses him out and prevents him from eating having the turtles he can't see climbing all over him. I had to make Mary feel like it was her idea before she did it so they can monitor how much he eats. The lack of common sense...
Not-so-impressive Waterfall
A ´main tourist attraction´ in Montezuma Anyway, right before we left, the tame jay had to be chased to get the stuff he stole from people and new volunteers were playing with squirrels and i said something about this place is close to a circus. Step got so infuriated, he said, ‘i don’t think i want to come back tomorrow’ and went to Mary. By the time i got there, he had already rudely asked her why are they habituating wild animals to be released and she got angry right back and defensive saying she’s released 20 squirrels this way and they stay near the sanctuary. She snapped at Step and asked if he’s ever released squirrels, he said no, to which i said that i have before and the squirrels she had are not wild. It then became her yelling and getting in Step’s face while he argued faults with her methods and asking WHY certain animals were in certain conditions, to which she never answered any of the questions but then kicked us out. When Step said the coati needed ‘enrichment’ or if he said ‘habitat’ or any big word, Mary looked dumbfounded and just got angrier... she had no real answer, just
more excuses and saying how many animals she’s released, but they weren’t under proper conditions! Like saying it’s not her fault about the coati, he was messed up when he got there... so why is he in a tiny boring enclosure eating dogfood?!?! Ah well, we only had one day of working left so no matter.
For the remainder of our time here we went to a nearby town, Montezuma, which was not impressive. There were mainly only tourists and everything was so expensive and geared toward the surfers that dominate the area. The next day we went to a cemetery on an island that is only accessible by foot when the tide is out. It was really neat to be walking on the ocean floor. I enjoy watching all the crabs scurrying around. A puppy followed us the whole way and back. Yesterday we took buses and ferries to get to Liberia and are meeting Steve and Helenka the tomorrow in La Cruz. I am excited to see them again. The bus ride was interesting but repetitive. We drive a bit in tropical plants, a winding dirt road, little signs of civilization other than barb wire and
stick fences holding in cows or horses. Then we get to a town where they all look the same. Old buildings with paint chipping off, wave roofs made of tin, barred windows and graffiti, the same Coca-Cola and Pilsner signs above the stores... I still love to see the people boarding the bus selling their fruits or newspapers or drinks.
^Út Í Óvissuna^
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Valerie
non-member comment
Rainsong
Thanks for writing about your experience at Rainsong ... I was seriously considering volunteering there but with yours and other peoples' comments, I don't think that would be a good idea now. I have volunteered at other wildlife rehabilitation places and this one doesn't sound too well-run. Glad you still enjoyed your trip to Central America though!