SUPPORT OUR ISLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Hi There.

Some time ago Sarah and I were forced to seek help from you and others to save the Animal Sanctuary we operate here on this little island off the coast of Panama. This was to fight a speculators attempt to seize the ten acre property from us.

That issue was eventually resolved in our favour and, an unsuccessful challenge having been made to take our finca, our tenure here is now very secure.

However we were sadly not able to reach our target then and another financial difficulty not of our making have left us, not particularly in debt, but without the capacity to update and maintain infrastructure. In order to continue we have to address this. So we are again in asking for backers to keep us afloat.

The good news is that that numbers of Animals we support are remaining fairly stable whilst breeding continues apace. So the surrounding jungle is being repopulated, though to exactly what extent it's impossible to say.

We continue to rehabilitate and reintroduce where there is a need we are able to fulfill, indeed as I write this, two of tiniest Birds imaginable, Bo and Diddley, who we released yesterday have just popped in together for a snack! We will continue to feed them of course, until they wean themselves off us.

We've put a figure on this appeal because we needed a number but to be honest our needs are going to be ongoing to some extent. With kibble at about double the UK price and the price of bananas having tripled in the last few years we're spending close to $150 per week on absolute basics. Added to which Panama has just banned the importation of vitamins, minerals and all medication for both humans and Animals, much of which we were before able to get via the kindness and generosity of US rehabbers.

We'd all be so grateful if you can help us. Thank you for reading!

Below outlines our current needs...

Every cent we had has gone into this enterprise and all our income currently goes into consumables, food (2/3 rds of which goes to the Animals) , gasoline, fridge gas, boat maintenance, were not looking anything for us bar absolute essentials. We've bought no clothes or shoes for nearly a year, nor taken a day off, been out anywhere, socialised at all, had not one visitor. But we have some very pressing needs..

~We need a floor very badly. We've replaced and patched these boards until it's now such a mess we have to do something. We tried a packed earth floor originally but it wasn't sustainable. This will cost around $1300 for the materials.

~We have to renew the roof covering tarpaulin which is only $110 but we you don't have it..!

~Our batteries are not charging any more and we have not even enough power to charge our phones. Keep don't have any other devices). This will cost $600 just for two.

~Both our phones are shot. They're the only thing that lasts in the climate here and they have to do everything. LG are the only ones that pick up a signal and they need to have styli. It's imposible to communicate otherwise. These are $220 each. (LG Slylo 3). There are cheaper phones, sure, but if they don't work what use are they?

~Also the dock is starting to collapse and the perimeter fence needs securing from the ingress of neighbouring Cows, as well as Indians after the Animals. I haven't costed these carefully yet but again the dock will mean $2000 or more.

~I very seldom use power tools as the Animals hate the noise but a cordless screwdriver is absolutely essential. All. the materials we use for enclosures, structures, floors.. everything I screw together so it can easily be taken apart and recycled. We throw very little away. But with never knowing how who might be here next and what they might need we have to be flexible. One week it could be making and erecting a new den amongst the tress for Raccoon mums... the next, making an enclosure and tunnel/den system for a Lowland Paca. Nails are too noisy, so a screwdriver is mandatory kit. I've found the dear ones last no longer than the cheaper ones and a little over $200 would get a tried and tested one. (Again prices here exceed US and UK prices)

Sure, we'd like to be able to spend $15k on a decent solar system, a few hundred getting a hot shower, a bigger generator and do on but our needs will wait. We're only looking for essential safety for all of us, and the ability to carry on looking after the Animals health and security not for creature comforts for ourselves.

If we can get help with these things we could relax a little. Floorboards keep collapsing under us with obvious twists and jars to knees and backs, and at least one Raccoon has broken though the tired old tarpaulin, falling to the ground. He was OK but now we are forced to lower the sides of the tent each night so they don't get on them to play and this makes the inside claustrophobic for the Animals.

If you can help with any of these things it would make all our lives do much easier, or contribute towards them.

If anyone felt able to help with an individual item we would be happy to provide a receipt for any purchase. Postage from outside is prohibitively expensive. To send a cordless screwdriver from the States would cost us this end, more than half the purchase price, so little would be gained. And any failure under warranty couldn't be addressed from here.

Thanks again. Sarah and Paul.