SIBU Wildlife Sanctuary is an animal protection and conservation non-profit organization whose mission has been to rescue, rehabilitate and release wildlife (predominantly Howler monkeys) that has been physically injured, orphaned or abandoned. At the beginning of 2020, SIBU made the strategic decision to redefine its mission and submitted its application to become Costa Rica’s first sanctuary specialising in providing long-term care for handicapped wildlife that due to psychological or physical injuries would not survive if released back into the wild. SIBU generates approx. 90% of its income through guided educational visits to the sanctuary. With the closure of Costa Rica’s borders in April 2020, overnight SIBU experienced a 100% fall in visitor numbers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted SIBU Wildlife Sanctuary’s main source of income. With no government funding or NGO financial aid, the support from the Scheinberg Relief Fund is described by SIBU’s founder Vicki Coan as “ truly a ‘life-line’ in covering operating costs, allowing us to continue to care for injured and orphaned wildlife”. Funds from the Scheinberg Relief Fund have also facilitated the repair of existing wildlife habitats, the construction of a large new jungle habitat for the handicapped Howler monkeys and cover other essential needs. This support is allowing SIBU Wildlife Sanctuary to continue to focus on helping injured wildlife andaddressing the root cause of the electrocutions on unprotected power lines.
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