Petén

Rescue Center
Reintroductions

Education:
1. Kinkajou Kingdom
2. Educational activities and Library

In situ projects:
1. Macaws Without Borders
2. Spider Monkey rehab program
3. Jaguars without borders

Kinkajou Kingdom

The ARCAS Environmental Education and Interpretation Center, Kinkajou Kingdom, is located on the grounds of the Rescue Center on the shores of Lake Petén Itza. Interactive exhibits educate the Guatemalan public and foreign visitors about the incredible biodiversity of the Mayan forest and the threats to that biodiversity. It also lets visitors learn about the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation work being carried out at the Rescue Center without interfering in that process with the over-exposure of those animals to humans.

Entrance to the Disney-supported Kinkajou Kingdom Environmental Education and Interpretation Center on the grounds of the ARCAS Rescue Center
Kinkajou Kingdom includes a large Exhibits Pavilion, Junior Researcher’s Hut, insect exhibit, camping area, workshop area and a swimming dock. 700 meters of interpretative trails and exhibits wind throughout the nearby jungle teaching visitors about the ecology and archeology of the Petén, the destructiveness of the illegal pet trade and the need to conserve the resources that make the Mayan Biosphere Reserve such a special place. Visitors can also see non-releasable animals from the Rescue Center, including parrots, macaws, chachalacas, kinkajous, raccoons, spider monkeys, margays and coatimundis. They learn why these animals cannot be returned to the wild and what can be done to help these beautiful creatures. The creation of Kinkajou Kingdom thanks to the support of the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund.

ARCAS is always looking for environmental education interns interested in improving the exhibits of the Kinkajou Kingdom. Please contact us if you are interested in a guided group tour. Please see the Day Tours section for more information.

Educational Activities

At the Petén project, the ARCAS Education Department carries out educational activities in nearby communities and school, forms women’s and children’s groups of scouts and conducts ecotours as a way to raise-awareness about the need to conserve the natural resources of the area and to help “Peténeros” develop alternative, environmentally-sustainable ways to make a living.

Lazaro Chacon library

ARCAS also manages the Lazaro Chacon library in the town of San Benito, one of the few libraries open without charge to the public in this rapidly growing part of the country. Roughly 5000 local children per year come to the library to read for enjoyment and to look up information for school projects. The library promotes the joy of reading to Peténero children who otherwise do not have books to read.

Every little bit helps… (click to read the article about Katy and Fern)


Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering with the ARCAS Education Department or can help in any other way.

In situ projects:

      
Macaws Without Borders                Spider Monkey Rehab Program         Jaguars Without Borders