On Friday 12 December, 2025, International Animal Rescue (IAR) Costa Rica will mark World Monkey Day with a significant event – the release of five howler monkeys back into the wild. This moment symbolizes both the monkeys’ recovery and IAR’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and return wildlife to their natural habitat.
The release will take place on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, near the areas where the monkeys were originally found. These five monkeys, all of whom were rescued from life-threatening injuries, will now begin a new chapter in their lives after undergoing extensive rehabilitation at IAR Costa Rica.
Among the monkeys being released is Nilo, who was electrocuted in Esperanza, Nosara on 31 July 2024. Despite suffering deep burns and nerve damage, Nilo has made a full recovery thanks to the dedicated care and rehabilitation provided by IAR Costa Rica. Another monkey, Seiba, was electrocuted in San Juanillo on 30 October 2025, but has also made a remarkable recovery and regained full climbing ability, making her release even more meaningful.
These five monkeys are a testament to IAR Costa Rica’s life-saving work and the organization’s mission to rescue and protect wildlife. Their release also coincides with IAR Costa Rica receiving GFAS Accreditation, a global recognition of excellence in animal care, operational standards, and ethical practice.
Kristin Leppert, Program Director for Wildlife at GFAS, reflected on the journey towards accreditation, saying: “I remember my first conversation in 2020, when they shared the vision for a new centre in Costa Rica. When we met in 2021, it was clear the journey ahead would be long. And yet here you are, doing exactly what you promised to do. Most importantly, thank you for your commitment to the highest standards of animal care and operational excellence. We are thrilled to welcome IAR Costa Rica to the GFAS family and proud to stand in support of your work to protect Costa Rican wildlife.”
However, despite this achievement, the challenges facing Costa Rica’s wildlife remain urgent and preventable. The reality behind these monkey rescues is that they should never have been injured in the first place. Uninsulated electrical cables continue to pose a grave threat to howler monkeys and other arboreal wildlife in Costa Rica, leading to catastrophic injuries that require months of intensive care.
Francisco, a veterinarian at IAR Costa Rica, has treated countless electrocuted animals and witnesses the crisis firsthand. He says, “Every week, we treat monkeys that should never have been injured in the first place. These electrocutions are entirely preventable. When power lines are uninsulated and transformers remain exposed, wildlife pays the price. Our No Es Pura Vida campaign exists because electrocution is not part of the Costa Rica we want to represent. Protecting wildlife should be a national priority, and insulating power lines and enforcing the decree the Government agreed to 18 months ago is one of the simplest and most effective steps we can take. Until the decree is followed, we will continue seeing animals arrive with burns, neurological damage, and trauma that could have been avoided.”
As these five monkeys return to the forest, their release is a triumph and a call to action. IAR is urging the rapid implementation of Costa Rica’s Ministerial Decree on wildlife-safe electrical infrastructure, along with coordinated efforts between power companies, municipalities, and conservation groups.
IAR also invites the public to support its efforts to end this crisis. With the number of animal admissions at the rescue centre increasing from last year, the organization is appealing for donations to expand its capacity to care for injured animals and advocate for policy enforcement.
On this World Monkey Day, let’s raise awareness and demand the urgent protection that these animals need. For more information on how you can support IAR’s efforts, please visit their website: https://www.internationalanimalrescue.org/projects/howler-monkeys.
