To The Rescue

Sitting around an all-inclusive resort, laying on the beach, sipping margaritas, and snorkelling in the surf can be pretty exhausting stuff, right?

Because of the pandemic, DW and I have not felt inclined to sign up for any excursion that would have us getting onto a bus with a dozen or so people for a couple of hours but we did want to do something other than stay on our resort. After all, we had done just that in December, in Cuba, and by about the fifth day, I was ready to come home.

Exclusive to our resort, we found a short excursion that not only allowed for a maximum of six people at a time, it helped out with a non-profit animal shelter.

Just past the western end of the town of Akumal (across the highway from Akumal Bay) is the Akumal Natura Rescue center, which specializes in caring for animals that have been injured or have been rescued from zoos or illegal captivity. There are monkeys who were injured from tropical storms, birds that had broken wings, and more.

The center focuses on three Rs: recovery, rehabilitation, and release. Animal welfare experts manage the seizure of captured animals or animals that are victims to misadventure. For example, a vehicle was pulled over for speeding and it was discovered that it was full of exotic birds, which were destined to be sold illegally. Another example was a monkey that had fallen from a tree during Hurricane Irene.

Veterinarians and animal experts care for the animals and bring them back to health. And when the animal is well enough to be self-sufficient, they are reintroduced into their natural habitat.

There are some animals that will never fully recover, such as some macaws that have had their wings clipped and can no longer fly. These animals will remain at the rescue center, where they will be cared for over the course of their lives.

One hundred percent of our admission fee goes to the center, paying for the staff and the cost of maintaining the facility. DW and I were told that our fee (1,600 pesos for the two of us) was going toward the construction of a bird habitat.

Our guide, Jano, was a professor of environmental studies and not only showed us many of the rescue animals but also described the natural trees and plants, explaining their toxins and natural healing properties. The center is also a sanctuary for Mayan bees, some of the smallest bees in the world. Jano let us sample some of the honey that these tiny workers produced and it was outstanding.

I'll have more to share on my YouTube channel in the coming weeks.

There was only one other couple that joined us on our tour, but they dropped out about halfway through, so we had Jano to ourselves as we visited the monkeys and finished the tour at a recently discovered underground cenote, which is also on the premises. It was a great way to end the tour with a cool swim.

The entire tour took about four hours, including transportation to and from the center. DW and I paid for a private taxi to get to the rescue center (400 pesos) and Jano drove us back (I tipped him 100 pesos).

Though we mainly took this trip to get away from winter in Ottawa (and the occupation/insurrection) and just relax at our resort, it was nice to get away and explore yet another fascinating place along the Mayan Riviera.

And to help a very important cause.

DW was excited that the center, as a way to help bring in more revenue, offered glamping, but I told her that glamping is still camping, and to get any thoughts of staying there out of her head.

Happy Friday!