A sanctuary of hope for Amazon rainforest wildlife.

Join us in protecting the rainforest’s incredible wildlife

Donate to our Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue Center and help support the important work we’re doing to rehabilitate and rewild these animals, strengthen the ecosystem and reinforce the fight against illegal trading.

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Minga Lodge & Sanctuary partners with MrBeast to save animals in Ecuador!

Watch the video to see global YouTube superstar MrBeast’s team help rescue wildlife from illegal trafficking in the Amazon, including the Sloth, Tamarin monkey and so much more! Watch now!

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NEW SIGHTING!

A new friend spotted on our cameras

Deep in the Reserve, our camera traps caught a wonderful moment: a wild puma moving through Minga's protected forest. It's a beautiful reminder of just how much life this rainforest is home to, and we couldn't wait to share it with you. Watch the footage and meet our newest neighbor.

Our camera traps recently caught a wonderful sighting: a wild puma (Puma concolor) moving through Minga Reserve. During three years of monitoring, we've documented a wide diversity of mammals, including coatis, kinkajous, tayras, agoutis, pacas, armadillos, raccoons, squirrels, brocket deer, primates such as squirrel monkeys and tamarins, and other ones. Among the larger predators, we've also recorded ocelots — and now, this exciting new addition to the list.
The record was obtained using two camera traps deployed over several weeks in the Reserve. Based on the images, it looks like two adult male pumas passed through the site — one with a distinctive kinked tail. Interestingly, similar tail traits have been noted in some isolated puma populations elsewhere, sometimes linked to reduced genetic diversity, though trauma or natural variation are equally possible explanations. It's a great example of why we're excited to keep monitoring and learning more about this individual and the wider population over time.
From a conservation perspective, this finding is very encouraging. As an apex predator, the puma is an important indicator of ecosystem integrity, requiring healthy prey populations and relatively intact habitats. Although the species ranges from Canada to Patagonia and is classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN, it is considered Vulnerable (VU) in Ecuador due to habitat fragmentation, hunting pressure, and increasing human-wildlife conflict.
Pumas are remarkably adaptable and elusive animals, rarely observed even where they occur. In the Ecuadorian Amazon they prey on deer, peccaries, pacas, agoutis, porcupines (Coendou spp.), armadillos, primates, and other medium-sized mammals, playing a key role in regulating prey populations. Unlike jaguars, pumas cannot roar; instead, they communicate through whistles, chirps, growls, and screams. Adult males typically occupy home ranges ranging from approximately 140 to over 300 km², depending on prey availability, habitat quality, and landscape connectivity, highlighting the importance of maintaining large, connected forest landscapes. They are also capable of dispersing over hundreds of kilometers, making landscape connectivity essential for maintaining gene flow between populations and reducing the risk of inbreeding.
Overall, this sighting is a wonderful piece of good news for Minga Reserve and encouraging evidence that our conservation efforts are maintaining habitat capable of supporting one of the Amazon's top predators. We're excited to keep expanding our camera trap network and can't wait to share more updates like this one.

The record was obtained using two camera traps deployed for less than four weeks, approximately 10 m from the Ceibo tree (the ones that we put for the tortoise release with Alpha School). Based on the images, it appears that two adult male pumas passed through the site. One individual presents an apparently kinked or malformed tail. This is especially interesting because a recent study on isolated puma populations in Southern California reported similar tail deformities as one of several traits associated with reduced genetic diversity and inbreeding, although trauma or developmental abnormalities remain possible explanations. While we cannot determine the cause from camera trap images alone, this observation highlights the value of continued long-term monitoring and, eventually, genetic analyses to better understand the health and connectivity of the local population.

From a conservation perspective, this finding is very encouraging. As an apex predator, the puma is an important indicator of ecosystem integrity, requiring healthy prey populations and relatively intact habitats. Although the species ranges from Canada to Patagonia and is classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN, it is considered Vulnerable (VU) in Ecuador due to habitat fragmentation, hunting pressure, and increasing human-wildlife conflict.

Pumas are remarkably adaptable and elusive animals, rarely observed even where they occur. In the Ecuadorian Amazon they prey on deer, peccaries, pacas, agoutis, porcupines (Coendou spp.), armadillos, primates, and other medium-sized mammals, playing a key role in regulating prey populations. Unlike jaguars, pumas cannot roar; instead, they communicate through whistles, chirps, growls, and screams. Adult males typically occupy home ranges ranging from approximately 140 to over 300 km², depending on prey availability, habitat quality, and landscape connectivity, highlighting the importance of maintaining large, connected forest landscapes. They are also capable of dispersing over hundreds of kilometers, making landscape connectivity essential for maintaining gene flow between populations and reducing the risk of inbreeding.

Overall, this record represents an important milestone for Minga Reserve and provides encouraging evidence that our conservation efforts are maintaining habitat capable of supporting one of the Amazon's top predators. We are excited to continue expanding our camera trap network and hope this is the first of many future records.

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Every year, illegal trafficking puts thousands of Amazon species at risk.

Ecuador is home to 10% of the planet’s known species yet is also a source and transit country for illegal wildlife trafficking—particularly from the Amazonian provinces of Napo, Orellana, and Sucumbíos. Over 4,000 animals are seized annually. Weak enforcement in rural and indigenous territories coupled with poverty often lead locals to participate to earn income.

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The Minga Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue Center is a critical part of the solution.

Wildlife rescue centers are not just shelters—they are life-saving interventions. The Minga Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue Center helps in multiple ways: conservation, animal welfare, education, ecosystem restoration and collaborating with local communities and government to help raise public awareness and shape policy.

Working Hand-in-Hand in the Amazon

Across Ecuador, animals are still illegally trafficked or harmed by human activity. In partnership with government agencies and local ministries, our team steps in to help. Rescued or wounded wildlife are brought to us for medical care and recovery, where they begin the quiet process of rehabilitation and rewilding.
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Some stay longer than others but, whenever possible, they are released back into their natural habitat. Each successful return strengthens local ecosystems and reinforces the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.

Saving lives & specialized medical rehabilitation

Rehabilitating and rewilding animals to their natural habitat

Training in sustainable income-generating alternatives to trafficking

Teaching the next generation the dangers of trafficking & biodiversity importance

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Work with our onsite vet and biologist as they care for rescued wildlife. Get to know the animals and the challenges they face. Learn how conservation in action is giving them a chance to survive—and thrive—in the rainforest once more.

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A sanctuary of discovery and connection: 700 acres of pristine Amazon rainforest

Minga is set between two of the most bio-diverse areas in Ecuador: Yasumi National Park and Sumaco National Park. It is a wildlife lover’s paradise–home to about 305 species of birds, 248 butterflies, 78 frogs, 72 reptiles and 62 mammals.

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Start planning your adventure at Minga Lodge today!

A sanctuary of hope for Amazon rainforest wildlife.

Join us in protecting the rainforest’s incredible wildlife

Minga Lodge & Sanctuary partners with MrBeast to save animals in Ecuador!

Watch the video to see global YouTube superstar MrBeast’s team help rescue wildlife from illegal trafficking in the Amazon, including the Sloth, Tamarin monkey and so much more! Watch now!

A new friend spotted on our cameras

Deep in the Reserve, our camera traps caught a wonderful moment: a wild puma moving through Minga's protected forest. It's a beautiful reminder of just how much life this rainforest is home to, and we couldn't wait to share it with you. Watch the footage and meet our newest neighbor.

Every year, illegal trafficking puts thousands of Amazon species at risk.

The Minga Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue Center is a critical part of the solution.

Working Hand-in-Hand in the Amazon

Join us in protecting these remarkable animals!

Visit at the sanctuary

Donate

A sanctuary of discovery and connection: 700 acres of pristine Amazon rainforest