Meet the animals
Being a transitional animal center, the numbers and species of the animals vary all the time. At all times we have between 130 to 200 temporary and permanent animals. To give a general idea, for now (April 2016) we have approximately 80 mammals, 30 birds and 50 reptiles.
Below is a breakdown by taxonomic classification (hierarchical organization of living organisms) of the endemic animals that you will find in the JRC. There are many more taxa but these are the ones that we usually take care of and treat.
JRC in Numbers
During 2015: 452 animals arrived, from which 219 were released (the rest are continuing their rehabilitation or have died). Approximately 50% are mammals and the rest are birds and reptiles.
- 248 arrivals of mammals (24 different species) – 106 were released (43%)
- 100 arrivals of birds – 34 were released (34%)
- 104 arrivals of reptiles – 79 were released (76%)
Our animals in numbers
1) BIRDS (approx. 100-150 per year)
RAPTORS and CAPRIMULGIFORMES: 20-30%
Many arrive with fractured wings because of car accidents or dog attacks. Many of them arrive when they migrate.
- Day raptors: hawks, falcons, eagles, etc.
- Night raptors: owls
- Caprimulgiformes: Nyctibius, etc.
Frequently arrive confiscated due to illegal possession or trafficking, and also many are orphaned babies
- Parrots, parakeets, macaws.
Frequently arrive after getting hit by cars, bitten by dogs.
- Fresh water: herons, egretas, anatids, etc.
- Marine: Pelicans, cormorants, seagulls, charranes, etc.
PASERIFORMES AND OTHER BIRDS: 45-60%
Frequently arrive after being hit by cars or flying into windows. Most are orphans, attacked by dogs or cats, etc.
- Passeriformes: finches, tanagers, sparrows, orioles, etc.
- Galliformes: peacocks, rallinas, etc.
2) REPTILES (approx. 90-140 per year)
The majority are venomous snakes moved from houses. As well they frequently get run over or injured by machete.
The majority are iguanas and most get injured by machete, hunted, bitten by dogs or get run over.
RIVER TURTLES: 5-10%
Frequently confiscated pets, run over or bitten by dogs.
SEA TURTLES: 2-8%
Usually in hunting season they arrive harpooned or confiscated from hunters and looters.
The majority are caimans and some crocodiles. Hunted, confiscated, bitten by dogs and moving them from one place to another are the common reason for their arrival.
3) MAMMALS (approx. 230-280 per year)
Especially sloths, but also armadillos and anteaters. At least half of them are orphan babies, the other half are usually injured because of dog attacks, electrocutions, car accidents, falls etc.
Many are orphan babies that need a long process of rehabilitation until they become adults and can be released. A big percentage are confiscated animals. Also, falling from trees in deforested areas and dogs bites are common.
- Howler monkeys
- White face capuchin monkeys
- Spider monkeys
The majority are orphan babies, bitten by dogs or electrocuted.
- Opossums of 4-5 different species
Frequently orphan babies, electrocuted or in some occasions the removing of healthy animals from houses.
WILD CATS 2-5%
Usually arrive confiscated because of illegal trafficking. The most frequent ones are:
Like the grisón or the taira, usually arrive hit by cars.
Like the squirrels, agoutis and tepezcuintles. Frequently founded as orphans, because of falls from trees or bitten by dogs and cats.
Any other animal that arrives for any reason, we treat and try to reintroduce it if it is possible.
- Deers: Frequently confiscated, hunted or hit by cars.
- Bats: We take care of all kinds of bats, orphans or ill adults or injured by dogs attacks or other animals.
- Cetaceans: We take care of cetaceans, dead or alive, and we have specialists that could rescue and take care of them.