Costa Rica Wildlife Rescue – Another reason to drive carefully.

As I sit cuddling a frantic, crying, grief stricken baby Howler monkey in my arms, probably six weeks old, the victim of a careless driver who killed his mother; I just have to ask the question of the driver…

“Was your speed and haste worth the untold grief of a dying mother Howler monkey. Now a distraught orphan is left behind?” Was it worth it?

The driver had to know he hit her. Had to have heard her scream in agony. Felt a thump. And yet, he left her fatally injured body dying beside the road, and an infant who could not survive without her.

This accident occurred on the curve of the road near Tilawa hotel on Friday afternoon of the 1st February 2008. You know if you were driving there during that time and you know I am speaking to you. I don’t know you, but you need to know the untold grief you have brought about due to your selfishness and carelessness and disregard for any life but your precious time.

Had it not been for a vigilant Taxi driver carrying two tourists who encountered the accident minutes afterward, who carefully rescued the tiny infant frantically trying to cross the road, the tiny monkey would have been dead as well.

Afterward, the little one was brought to me to save. This type of tragedy occurs far too frequently. What are drivers thinking? How can they not be aware of the fact that on our roads in Costa Rica, vehicles are not the only travelers?

Driving in Costa Rica is a challenge to say the least. If you are a Tico, you were born here and so have many years of experience in the roads. You are already aware of all the obstacles that can occur on the road.

You are aware that our mountain roads are full of many blind curves which can surprise you with stray horses and cattle lined up peacefully strolling in your path; as well as little children and their pets ambling across the road, broken down vehicles, and yes, troops of Howlers and other wildlife who simply want to cross the road to follow their feeding routes.

So, if you haven’t already slowed down as you approach those curves ready to react to whatever could face you on the other side, shame on you! You know better!

If you are a tourist, driving in a foreign country on a rugged mountain road with road signs in a foreign language, in an area that is totally alien to you, should be enough to make you ever vigilant and careful. If you weren’t, I am saddened by the tragedy of your neglect killing our precious wildlife and know also that next time could be your life if you hit an oncoming bus.

Also, badly needed for these Howlers are “monkey bridges” (rope strung across critical areas of danger) at known monkey crossings that would help protect them from traffic but also from electrocutions on power lines.

Unfortunately, around the Arenal and Tilaran area, that project isn’t a popular one. However, even with monkey bridges, blatant disregard of others in the road is never an excuse to drive heedlessly. It shows selfishness and only results in tragedy.

And so now, once again, I am caring for a tiny grief stricken crying baby who has lost his mother. We struggle together to try to get him to accept baby formula for human babies that just doesn’t taste like “mom’s” milk, from her soft warm nipples, sometimes resulting in a tummy ache. And now he must sleep alone, snatched way too soon from the comfort and security of his warm mother who gave him all of her love and care.

We surrogate “Mom’s” are a poor substitute for his natural Mom who always knew just what he needed. And sadly, not all of the little infants survive. No matter how hard we try, sometimes the stress and diet change are just too much resulting in diarrhea, illness and death. This brings me back to the unanswered question “Was your speed and carelessness worth it?”

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Written by Gloria Dempsey. Zoologist in Arenal, Costa Rica. February 2008

If you would to contribute to the rescue and care of wildlife in Costa Rica, please send US cashier’s cheques to our Zoologist friend in Arenal Gloria Dempsey:

Gloria Dempsey
5717-28 Nuevo Arenal — Tilaran
Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Or you can email Gloria Dempsey here.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.