Las Oncas conservation reserve
Creation of a conservation reserve protecting 35 000+ acres of primary rainforest in the heart of the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
A unique ecosystem hosting 3% of worldwide biodiversity
Construction of a biological station welcoming scientists, students, volunteers, visitors, and rangers involved in various conservation programs
A race against time
Over the past century, nearly 60% of the primary rainforests in the Osa Peninsula have been cleared or heavily altered to make way for agriculture and grazing lands, despite their ecological significant importance. Today, the remaining areas of primary rainforests that have survived deforestation hold immeasurable value. Most of these lands still belong to farmers, many of whom are willing to sell to the highest bidder, typically agribusiness giants (palm oil plantations, pineapple farms, banana plantations, cattle ranching). Their protection is an urgent matter, which is why we are engaged in negotiations with landowners to acquire these lands and protect them while there is still time.
The area to be protected covers over 35 000+ acres (approximately the size of the City of Miami) and is divided into hundreds of properties of varying sizes. By acquiring them one by one, Las Oncas will protect a vast forested territory, turning this area into a conservation reserve comparable in size and biodiversity to the greatest national parks of Costa Rica.
Located between Corcovado National Park and Piedras Blancas National Park, these lands represent the only remaining biological corridor to date. This crucial path allows wildlife to move freely from one area to another, ensuring the long-term survival of endangered species such as the jaguar.
The jaguar
As the largest wildcat in the Americas, the jaguar (Panthera onca) spends most of its time hidden in the heart of the tropical rainforest. Rare and endangered, only a few individuals remain on the Osa Peninsula. As an APEX predator it sits on top of the food chain, playing a role of regulator preventing the proliferation of its preys and thus maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Furthermore, it is an “umbrella species”, which means that its needs includes those of many other species. Since its development requires a perfectly healthy environment, protecting the jaguar means protecting the entire ecosystem of which it is part.
By funding Las Oncas conservation reserve, Sauvage allows the study and protection of the last jaguars of the Osa Peninsula, enabling the collection of crucial data and the monitoring of each of the individuals still inhabiting this wild and isolated area.
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
The area to be protected encompasses a wide range of ecosystems, some of which are particularly rare and have survived deforestation. Mostly intact yet still under threat, these rainforests represent a unique sample of the various environments that make up the Osa Peninsula. Located on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula is one of the most pristine and wild regions on the planet. As a unique concentration of biodiversity, its primary rainforests alone hold 3% of the world's biodiversity. This abundance makes the Osa Peninsula a place with one of the highest conservation potentials in Central America.
The reserve
By protecting the last primary forests and their biodiversity, Las Oncas will preserve the main route used by jaguars between the already protected areas of the region. Through Sauvage, the funds collected will be used to buy strategic lands, set up conservation programs and cover the costs of all the infrastructure and logistics needed to create a private, everlasting and independent reserve.
Biological station
In order to welcome the scientific community under the best conditions, a biological station equipped with all the necessary facilities will be built in the heart of the reserve. This station will consist of workspaces, a conference room, and infrastructure to accommodate residents for short or long-term stays. A team of rangers will be based on-site, responsible for patrolling within the reserve. Las Oncas will also be open to visitors and volunteers.
The biological station will regularly host interventions by conservation actors during conferences open to the public. These exchanges will be followed by expeditions leaded by the speaker in order to share a unique and immersive experience in the heart of the jungle.
Involve
local
communities
The social dimension is at the core of Sauvage's approach. The objective is to involve as many people as possible on the field, and therefore the missions naturally take place in collaboration with local actors. Whether they are farmers, former poachers, gold miners, as well as forest rangers, guides, or even students, they all have valuable knowledge of the area and are thus part of the solution.
Jaguars already monitored by Las Oncas
Jaguars already
Monitored
Support us
By supporting initiatives such as land acquisition for conservation, the establishment of a biological station, endangered species research and monitoring programs, as well as reforestation projects, Sauvage is working towards the preservation of tropical rainforests and their wildlife.
Join us in protecting this extraordinary wilderness on the long run!
Your donation will help protect
1 m2 of tropical rainforest
