Costa Rica Or The land Of "Pura Vida" For Animals

In Costa Rica, wildlife is almost sacred. But animal’s protection is not limited to the wild. In farms and streets, animals are safe.

Baby sloth in a bucket, www.yumping.co.uk

Peter Singer, a fervor animal rights activist and Aldo Leopold, an environmentalist asked the one hundred dollars question: Do animals have moral standing?

The moral status of animals has always been a significant issue in environmentalist’s ethics ranks. Animals have always risen, regarding the different culture they evolved in, divided interests.

In some countries where wildlife became a fruitful enterprise, they are partially preserved. Costa Rica is well known for its tourist wildlife. However, environmental issues are taken seriously by the government and especially the sake of animals.

Costa Rica, such as its neighbors, favors protected reserved, national parks protection, wildlife rescue centers, welfare of domestic, farm animals and pets…

As an example, the National Animal Health Service (SENASA) and the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) of Costa Rica have joined forces for the third time with the Humane Society International (HSI)/Latin America to support animal welfare programs in the country in February 2015.

“Wildlife is a legacy for all Costa Ricans, we appreciate it, value it, preserve and protect.” Patricia Madrigal, Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy

More surprisingly, the care of animals does not only concern farms and wildlife legislations but begins right in the streets. One millions callejeros or street dogs are abandoned each year. In April 2015, 64 dogs were rescued.

Concerning animal’s rights in the wild, other steps have been done such as hunting as an illegal sport (2012). The government also wanted to close zoos but that topic is still controversial.

Concerning endangered species, the jaguar remains on the top of the list. It is estimated that only 4,000 wild jaguars remain in Latin America. With an estimated 500,000 species of wildlife, Costa Rica is host to 26 National Parks as well as many wildlife reserves, refuges, and sanctuaries.

Jaguar, Vinesh Rajpaul

However, 221 are endangered in the country.

Costa Rica, a corridor for endangered species?

There are many wildlife sanctuaries in Costa Rica, including Corcovado National Park, the Sloth Sanctuary, Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, Carara National Park, and the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Reserve that protect habitats. That helps preserve endangered species in the Continent.

To end with, government put an end to animal cruelty. Bans on the use of wild animals in circuses are spreading worldwide, with some countries having enacted nationwide injunctions, and others, like the US, outlawed wild animal circuses on state and local levels.

In a world where environment has become the first issue, Costa Rica is our inspiration.