Their mission
In their own words: “Senda Verde exists to save and provide sanctuary for wild animals rescued from illegal trafficking and habitat loss while inspiring actions to protect and restore the natural world.”
How it started
Senda Verde, meaning “green path”, was founded in 2003 on the eastern flank of the Bolivian Andes by Vicky Ossio and Marcelo Levy. It began with a single orphaned capuchin monkey. Two decades later the sanctuary is a permanent refuge for more than a thousand animals, taking in over a hundred new arrivals every year, many of them orphaned and needing round-the-clock care.
What they do
Rescue and rehabilitation, conservation and rewilding, environmental education, ethical ecotourism and an international volunteer programme, all in one of the richest biodiversity hotspots on Earth. In 2023 the Chamber of Senators of Bolivia gave the sanctuary a “Recognition of Excellence”.
Where Tigrino fits in
Tigrino arrived at Senda Verde after being kept as a pet. Years later, scientists working with the sanctuary described him as Leopardus tilcayo, the first newly named living cat species in over a century. He lives in protective care at Senda Verde today.
