A rescued macaw at Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary
Cusco · Peru · Est. 2007

A refuge for Peru's most misunderstood wildlife — half an hour from Plaza de Armas.

We rescue, rehabilitate and release Andean condors, spectacled bears, pumas, macaws and vicuñas — many arriving injured from illegal trafficking. Visit the 5‑hectare sanctuary, meet the animals, and fund the release program.

Who Lives Here

Species of the high Andes.

01 / Residents
Vultur gryphus01

The Andean Condor

The largest flying bird in the world. In 2019 we released a GPS-tracked condor to study migration across the Andes — part of a long-running breeding and monitoring program.

Tremarctos ornatus02

Spectacled Bears — Moises, Coco & Juliet

South America's only bear species. Our three residents share a 300 square-meter enclosure with a pool and climbing platforms, and eat a daily mix of fresh fruit, oatmeal and bromeliads.

Puma concolor03

Pumas — Including Mufasa

Born in captivity, Mufasa can't be released. He shares the sanctuary with rescued pumas capable of three-meter jumps and 60 km/h sprints.

Ara & Primolius04

Macaws — Blue-and-Yellow, Scarlet, Green-winged

Brilliantly coloured, fiercely monogamous, and known to live up to 70 years. Many of ours were rescued from illegal trade.

Lama & Vicugna05

Vicuñas, Llamas & Alpacas

The vicuña appears on Peru's national coat of arms. At the sanctuary, visitors can see all four native South American camelids side by side.

Leopardus & Felis06

Andean Cats & Margays

Rarely-seen wild felines from Peru's cloud forests and high-altitude grasslands. Several arrived injured and remain at the sanctuary long-term.

The Release Program

A condor released with GPS in 2019.

Of more than 200 animals taken in since 2007, roughly 45% have been rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Releases are monitored by satellite where possible — our 2019 condor release gave the program its first long-range movement data across the Peruvian Andes.

Every rescue is a small bet against extinction. The Andean condor is where we started, and where we keep returning.
Breeding programSatellite trackingRehabilitationReintroductionAnti-trafficking
Plan Your Day

Half an hour from Cusco.

02 / Visit

The sanctuary sits at Kilometer 22 of the Cusco–Pisac road, a 30-minute drive from the Plaza de Armas. Local buses toward Pisac depart from PUPUTI street and stop at the sanctuary gate.

Address
Km 22 Cusco–Pisac Rd
From Cusco
~30 min drive
Andean condor in flight over the sanctuary
Photo Plate
Andean condor · Vultur gryphus
Ways to Help

Visit, volunteer, or fund the work.

03 / Support