For the past 16 years, 65-year-old Magali Salinas has been at the forefront of wildlife conservation, restoration and release in the Madre de Dios region of the Peruvian Amazon.
Sadly, the area has faced habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, illegal logging and illegal logging, but Salinas is doing her part to help. animals and even has a center called Amazon Shelter, where she cares for nearly 80 animals at a time.
Salinas sold her property to buy a piece of land, and over the years her rescue has grown in strength. She started a nonprofit, hired a veterinarian, built more enclosures to house more animals, and housed volunteers.
Animals at the shelter, including sloths, tortoises, parrots, monkeys, and more, get health care back before Salinas releases them back into the wild in safer areas much. Salinas spends time with each animal and takes care of them as if they were her own.
After Salinas releases the animals back into the wild, she will monitor them daily for at least a week to make sure they are healthy and alive as usual.
“The jungle has made me a lot tougher. You can say more about a warrior, ”Salinas speak. “I do not have a day off. I don’t rest. This is for people who are really struggling. It’s not for everyone.”
Salinas rescues most animals from the illegal pet trade and animals that fall victim to illegal logging, exploitation and hunting practices.
In addition to returning rescued animals to the wild, Salinas hopes to regenerate some parts of the forest that have been cleared in the past.
Director and producer Nick Werber made a short film, titled Magali, to showcase Salinas’ dedication and hard work.
“I really wanted to show what you can do with whatever little resource you have,” Werber told News Mongabay. “A person with not much money, not much experience, actually by his own will created this center that has a lot of influence. It just shows the difference one person can make. That’s what prompted me to make the film.”
Watch the short video below:
