Zoo Peru focuses our conservation efforts and assistance for flora and fauna in the Amazon rainforest of Peru, South America. Antony Taggart, Roland Noronha Melendez and David Polinsky established Zoo Peru Inc. over twenty years ago, primarily to assist the Quistococha Zoo which struggled for finances to satisfactorily house a large range of indigenous species of fauna.

Since then, Zoo Peru Inc. has become involved in other projects to conserve habitat, provide sustainable employment and assist with rescue and relocation of animals from the illegal pet trade.

-Quistococha Zoo

The Quistococha Zoo is located just outside of the regional township of Iquitos, Peru. The Quistococha Zoo  is located on around 900 hectares of secondary rainforest, one of the most biodiverse and complex ecosystems in the world.

Zoo Peru assisted the Quistococha Zoo for more than nineteen years through:

  1. funding and building new immersion enclosures for animals in the zoo currently housed in unsuitable enclosures.
  2. employing three zoo keepers
  3. providing uniforms, equipment and training for zoo keepers
  4. volunteering to assist daily duties and special projects – behavioural
  5. sharing knowledge and expertise with local and international keeping and veterinary staff
  6. strategic planning with local and regional government representatives to improve the zoo and its facilities

In 2011 after nineteen years of association with Quistococha, Zoo Peru shifted its focus to preserving habitat. However, we continue to maintain as much contact as possible.

-Inrena

INRENA  (Natural Institute for Natural Resources – Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturale) is a government body that is responsible for the flora and fauna in the Loreto region of Peru. One of their many tasks is to confiscate animals from the illegal pet trade and hold them in a facility until the animals can be rehomed or released. INRENA struggles for financial resources to prosecute offenders but is dedicated to protecting the local flora and fauna.

Zoo Peru has assisted INRENA for several years through:

  • funding new enclosures,
  • volunteering to assist daily duties and special projects,
  • sharing knowledge and expertise with local and international keeping and veterinary staff,
  • assisting INREINA officers with fauna confiscations
  • building and maintenance of INREINA animal enclosures and care for animals housed at the facility