What Wild Sun Rescue Center does

Wild Sun Rescue Center is a Costa Rican non-profit wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and species reintroduction organization founded in 2007 by Jeremy Adam Levine. Located in Cabuya, Puntarenas on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the center borders the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve and treats sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife including monkeys, anteaters, opossums, birds, and reptiles, with a Vet Clinic handling 150-230+ animals annually. The organization's primary threats addressed are electrocution on uninsulated power lines (responsible for 52% of rescued monkeys in one audit period, with 76% fatality), dog and cat attacks, illegal pet trade, and accidental wildlife kidnapping.

The organization operates a portfolio of educational programs structured around wildlife conservation: a 12-week Wildlife Biology Internship ($1,492), 2-4 week Pre-Vet Internships ($4,415-$8,450), 4-week Veterinary Student Externships ($8,450), and 7-day CE Credit Retreats for practicing veterinarians ($500 course fee plus $1,475-$3,475 accommodation). A Scarlet Macaw reintroduction program in partnership with AsoProLapa has released over 50 birds from the Cabuya site since 2019, with the regional wild population exceeding 230 birds. The center sustains operations through a hybrid revenue model combining fee-based educational programs, recurring donations via Patreon and Chuffed.org, corporate sponsorships ($5,000-$2,000,000 tiers), symbolic animal adoptions ($10-$200/month), merchandise sales (wildsun.store), and proceeds from the affiliated Wild Sun Jungle Resort, all supported by US 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship through Green Wave Enterprises.

Name

Wild Sun Rescue Center

Legal name

Wild Sun Rescue Center

Website

https://wildsunrescue.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wild Sun Rescue Center is a Costa Rican non-profit wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization that treats injured, orphaned, and sick native wildlife, runs a Scarlet Macaw reintroduction program, and offers paid educational internships, veterinary externships, and CE retreats for aspiring and practicing vets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release Centers (Public Viewing/Education) (THAAAFAC), Sanctuaries & Long-Term Care (Farm, Equine, Exotic) (BPAGAIAH)

Keywords

• Wildlife rescue rehabilitation
• Species reintroduction programs
• Veterinary continuing education
• Conservation internships
• Wildlife volunteer programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cabuya, Puntarenas

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Educational Program Fees: Revenue from fee-based programs including Wildlife Biology Internships ($1,492 for 12 weeks), Vet Student Externships ($8,450 for 4 weeks), Pre-Vet Internships ($4,415 for 2 weeks / $8,450 for 4 weeks), and Veterinary CE Retreats ($500 course fee plus $1,475-$3,475 accommodation). Deposits are required to reserve places (25% for externships/PVI, $400 for volunteers/interns).
2. Donations and Sponsorships: Wild Sun is funded through one-time and monthly donations via Patreon and Chuffed.org platforms. Monthly donations are described as most helpful for providing routine care, food, and medicine. Corporate and named sponsorships are available for enclosures, buildings, and projects (e.g., $5,000/yr per primate enclosure, $15,000/yr for macaw pre-release enclosure, $100,000 one-time for Vet Clinic naming rights).
3. Merchandise Sales: Wild Sun operates an online store (wildsun.store) selling merchandise including T-shirts. 100% of proceeds from merchandise sales benefit the wildlife rescue center.
4. Jungle Resort Accommodation: Wild Sun Jungle Resort (https://www.wildsunjungleresort.com/) operates on the same campus. Hotel proceeds help support the rescue center. Room upgrades and accommodation packages are offered to volunteers and program participants at discounted rates.
5. Symbolic Animal Adoptions: Adoption tiers offered via Patreon/Chuffed at $10-$200/month: Wildlife Supporter ($10/mo), Wildlife Champion ($50/mo), Wild Sun Ambassador ($100/mo), Silver Level Sponsor ($200/mo). Provides monthly updates on adopted animals.
6. Fiscal Sponsorship (Green Wave Enterprises): Wild Sun is a Costa Rican non-profit association fiscally sponsored by Green Wave Enterprises, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States. Donations are tax-deductible for US-based individuals and corporations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Wild Sun Rescue Center is a non-profit wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release center located in Cabuya, Costa Rica. It provides veterinary care for sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife, operates a Scarlet Macaw species reintroduction program in partnership with AsoProLapa, and runs fee-based educational programs including wildlife biology internships, pre-vet internships, veterinary student externships, and CE credit retreats for veterinary professionals.

Product overview

Wild Sun Rescue Center is a non-profit wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization offering a portfolio of conservation-focused programs. The core offering is its Wildlife Rehabilitation Program providing medical care and release services for injured, orphaned, and sick native wildlife. Supporting this are educational programs including the Wildlife Biology Internship (12-week research-focused), Pre-Vet Internship (2-4 weeks for aspiring veterinarians), Vet Student Externship (4-week clinical rotation), and CE Credit Retreats for licensed veterinarians. The organization also operates a Scarlet Macaw Reintroduction Program in partnership with AsoProLapa, offers Symbolic Animal Adoption for donor engagement, Corporate Sponsorship for infrastructure support, and operates a merchandise store and Jungle Resort accommodation with proceeds supporting operations. All programs are centered at the Cabuya, Costa Rica facility bordering the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wildlife Rehabilitation Program Rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick, injured, and orphaned native Costa Rican wildlife including monkeys, anteaters, opossums, birds, and reptiles. Cares for 40-70 animals on-site at any time with 150+ animals treated annually.
• Volunteer Program Structured wildlife volunteer positions ranging from short-term (2-11 weeks at $389-$424/week) to full-term (minimum 12 weeks, free program with $60/week accommodation). Volunteers assist with animal care, diet preparation, feeding, enclosure maintenance, enrichment, nursery support, and rehabilitation.
• Wildlife Biology Internship 12-week applied wildlife biology research internship for students and recent graduates. Program fee $1,492. Operates with 2 participants at a time. Interns contribute to behavioral observations, post-release monitoring, habitat suitability assessments, threat data collection, and community-based conservation.
• Pre-Vet Internship Hands-on pre-veterinary internship for undergraduates and gap-year students preparing for vet school. 2-week program costs $4,415; 4-week program costs $8,450. Provides experience with restraint techniques, physical exams, parasite treatment, fluid administration, necropsies, suturing, wound care, and vet school recommendation letters.
• Vet Student Externship 4-week veterinary externship for 1st-4th year vet students. Program fee $8,450 (early bird $7,850 before Jan 1, 2027). Includes hands-on clinical experience with exotic wildlife and Scarlet Macaw reintroduction. 3rd-4th year students can obtain out-rotation credit. $50 application fee separate.
• Veterinary CE Credit Retreats 7-day/6-night veterinary continuing education retreat offering 10 hours of RACE-approved CE credits combined with wellness sessions, compassion fatigue recovery, and conservation activities. Course fee $500 plus accommodation packages ($1,475-$3,475). Includes lodging, meals, CE workshops, group excursions, and daily yoga.
• Scarlet Macaw Reintroduction Program Species reintroduction initiative conducted in partnership with AsoProLapa to reintroduce Scarlet Macaws to the Nicoya Peninsula. Includes breeding program, artificial nest box placement (99+ artificial nests in Pochote region), and release activities. Over 50 macaws released from the Cabuya site with the wild population exceeding 230 birds.
• Symbolic Animal Adoption Monthly symbolic adoption program with tiered support levels: Wildlife Supporter ($10/month), Wildlife Champion ($50/month), Wild Sun Ambassador ($100/month), Silver Level Sponsor ($200/month). Provides monthly updates on adopted animals and funds food, medication, and care.
• Corporate Sponsorship Corporate and individual sponsorship opportunities for enclosures, buildings, and conservation projects including Primate Pre-Release Enclosure ($5,000/yr), Scarlet Macaw Pre-Release Enclosure ($15,000/yr), Education Center ($10,000/yr), Scarlet Macaw Project ($28,000/yr), Vet Clinic naming rights ($100,000), and Wildlife Sanctuary ($50,000-$2,000,000).
• Wild Sun Jungle Resort Accommodation On-site accommodation options including shared simple rooms, deluxe rooms with pool access, and private rooms with A/C. Deluxe room upgrades priced at $237.30-$271.20/week depending on season. Includes yoga deck and infinity pool access. Proceeds support the rescue center.
• Merchandise Store Online store (wildsun.store) selling Wild Sun apparel including T-shirts designed in-house and by collaborators. 100% of proceeds benefit wildlife rescue and conservation operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50 Scarlet Macaws released from the Cabuya site as of 2024, with the wild population in the region exceeding 230 birds
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• AsoProLapaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAsoProLapa is a Scarlet Macaw breeding program founded in 1996 that breeds and reintroduces scarlet macaws in Costa Rica. Wild Sun Rescue Center partners with AsoProLapa to serve as the reintroduction site on the southern Nicoya Peninsula (starting in 2019). AsoProLapa started breeding scarlet macaws with confiscated birds that could not be released; the third generation was ready for reintroduction with first releases in 2007. As of April 2026, there are 99 artificial nests in the Pochote region with 40+ natural nests identified, over 130 chicks hatched in the wild, and a wild population estimated at 300+ birds. Wild Sun has released 50+ birds from its Cabuya site and aims to release 100 within 10 years.
• World Parrot TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Parrot Trust supported Wild Sun Rescue Center in placing 10 artificial macaw nest boxes in the community. Three of these nest boxes have active breeding pairs, and the first official hatchling in the wild was recorded. The partnership supports the scarlet macaw reintroduction program.
• MINAE (Costa Rica Ministry of Environment)coreOthersWild Sun Rescue Center is certified, trained, and permitted by MINAE (Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía), Costa Rica's Ministry of Environment. MINAE authorization is required for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation operations in Costa Rica.
• SINAC (National System of Conservation Areas)coreOthersWild Sun Rescue Center is certified, trained, and permitted by SINAC (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación), Costa Rica's National System of Conservation Areas. SINAC oversees the country's protected areas and wildlife conservation regulations.
• IWRC (International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council)supportingOthersWild Sun Rescue Center is certified and/or trained by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC). Jeremy Levine (Executive Director) holds IWRC certifications in wildlife rehabilitation and pain and wound management.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)supportingOthersWild Sun Rescue Center is certified and/or supported by IUCN. IUCN Red List data is referenced on the organization's species reintroduction page showing 463 species in Costa Rica are listed as threatened, endangered, or critically endangered.
• Seattle Central CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeattle Central College in the United States provides college credit for Wild Sun's internship programs. Students can earn up to 6 semester credits (10 quarter credits) through International Internship or Travel Study courses. Fees are $660 for 5 quarter credits and $1,320 for 10 quarter credits, separate from program fees. Students must seek pre-approval from their home school for credit transfer.
• ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad)supportingOthersICE is Costa Rica's national electric company. Wild Sun works with ICE to hold them responsible for wildlife electrocutions on power lines. 98% of power lines in Costa Rica are uninsulated. Wild Sun educates the public about contacting ICE to insulate power lines and transformers ($350-$700 USD average cost per household transformer).
• ASVO (Turtle Sanctuary, Montezuma)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerASVO is a sea turtle protection organization in Montezuma. Wild Sun externship and PVI participants visit ASVO's turtle sanctuary as part of academic field trips. ASVO also organizes sea turtle release events (May-October) that Wild Sun participants can attend.
• Sansa Air and Green AirsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSansa Air and Green Air are domestic airlines providing flights from San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) airports to Cóbano Airport (30 minutes from Wild Sun). Sansa offers ground transportation to Wild Sun for $30/person ($50 if solo traveler). Both are recommended transportation options for program participants.
• Futuro Verde School and Vivero LaconsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWild Sun collaborates with Futuro Verde school and Vivero Lacon on the 'Feed the Animals the Right Way' program. Children conduct research on important native plants for wildlife, design informational tags for those plants, and sell seedling plants at local markets with proceeds split between Wild Sun and Futuro Verde for reforestation.
• Wild Sun Jungle ResortcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWild Sun Jungle Resort (wildsunjungleresort.com) operates on the same campus as Wild Sun Rescue Center. Hotel proceeds support the rescue center. Rescue center volunteers and program participants have access to the resort's yoga deck and infinity pool. Room upgrades are offered to volunteers and participants at discounted rates.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AsoProLapa: Costa Rica's flagship scarlet macaw breeding and reintroduction program, founded in 1996. Direct strategic partner of Wild Sun since 2019 and the source methodology provider for the Cabuya reintroduction site; operates on a much larger regional scale (99+ artificial nests, 300+ bird wild population) and serves as the leading reference point for Wild Sun's flagship program.
• Sea Turtle Inc. A South Padre Island, Texas-based non-profit sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation organization, sharing Dr. Thomas deMaar as attending veterinarian with Wild Sun. Operates a similar model of rescue/rehab with public education and volunteer programs, but focused exclusively on marine turtles.
• Pacific Park Costa Rica: A Costa Rica nature reserve, wildlife sanctuary, and educational tour operator near Manuel Antonio combining wildlife habitat with visitor-facing programming. Comparable in combining conservation education with revenue-generating visitor experiences, though weighted more toward ecotourism than medical rehabilitation.
• Aviarios del Caribe / The Sloth Sanctuary: A Costa Rica wildlife sanctuary and rescue center focused on sloths and other native species, offering guided tours and structured visitor programs. Closely comparable to Wild Sun's model of combining wildlife rehabilitation with paid educational/tourism experiences.
• Kids Saving the Rainforest: A Costa Rica non-profit focused on wildlife rescue, sanctuary, and rainforest conservation in the Manuel Antonio area. Operates a wildlife sanctuary, runs volunteer and internship programs, and works on infrastructure issues such as monkey bridges that directly overlap with Wild Sun's mission and electrocution mitigation work.
• Toucan Rescue Ranch: A Costa Rica-based wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in San Jose that admits, rehabilitates, and releases injured, orphaned, and poached native wildlife. Operates a similar volunteer and educational program model in the same country, with comparable tour, internship, and donation-driven revenue streams.
• Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center: A Costa Rican non-profit wildlife rescue center (formerly Centro de Rescate Cahuita) focused on rehabilitation and release of native wildlife. Operates similar volunteer, internship, and educational programs and serves as a directly comparable peer in the Latin American wildlife rehabilitation ecosystem.
• The Jaguar Rescue Center: A wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in Playa Chiquita, Costa Rica that provides medical care and release services for injured and orphaned native wildlife. Runs structured volunteer and educational programs targeting international participants, with the same non-profit, donation-supported business model as Wild Sun.

Broad incumbents

• World Parrot Trust: An international parrot conservation organization supporting in-situ and ex-situ parrot conservation programs globally. Existing Wild Sun partner (sponsoring artificial nest box placements in Cabuya); relevant as a broader-incumbent peer in parrot and wildlife conservation that operates at much larger scale.

Regional players

• ARCAS Guatemala: A Guatemalan non-profit operating wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centers and a sea turtle conservation program. Comparable to Wild Sun as a Central American non-profit wildlife rescue operator with volunteer programs, though serving a different national geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAk1TLJjY_LH9_B9VKPi-qg/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/wildsunrescuecenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/wildsunrescue
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wild-sun-rescue-center

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wild Sun Rescue Center