arcas guatemala

What arcas guatemala does

ARCAS Guatemala (Asociación de Rescate y Conservación de Vida Silvestre) is a Guatemalan non-profit civil association founded in 1989 to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals confiscated from the illegal pet trade. It operates a 45-hectare GFAS-accredited Wildlife Rescue Center on Lake Petén Itzá that processes 300–600 animals per year across more than 40 species, a marine turtle and mangrove conservation project (Parque Hawaii) on the Pacific coast with two main hatcheries, and an environmental education department based in Guatemala City. Core programs include the Scarlet Macaw Captive Breeding Program (48 birds since 2004, first release 2015), the Spider Monkey Rehabilitation and Release Protocol (up to six years per animal), the Yellow-Naped Parrot COLORES project, the Jaguares Sin Fronteras jaguar program, and a 4,000-hectare co-managed protected area declared in 2016. The technology base is a physical infrastructure: a fully equipped veterinary clinic (X-ray, ultrasound, hematology, anesthesia, endoscope, electrosurgical unit, minilab with microscopes and centrifuges), solar-powered pre-release enclosures, night-patrol and radio-collar monitoring systems, and the CEBIo biodiversity education center.

ARCAS funds operations through four revenue streams: (1) donations and grants from individuals, foundations, zoos, and government agencies (USAID, USFWS, Japanese Embassy, UNDP, Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, Van Tienhoven, Dutch IUCN Committee, Wildlife Land Trust); (2) a three-tiered volunteer program (Full Plan $480 first week + $200/week; Reservation Plan $275 + $200/week; Backpacker Plan $225/week) and a parallel Hawaii program ($225–$275/week), enrolling 500+ international and national volunteers annually; (3) a $25 Sponsor-a-Nest program for sea turtle conservation; and (4) merchandise sales via Redbubble. A US-based 501(c)(3) established in 2019 facilitates tax-deductible donations from American donors. Go-to-market is community-led: recruitment relies on volunteer testimonials, zoo partner referrals (including teen trips from Oakland Zoo since 2003), and academic partnerships with veterinary and biology programs across North America and Europe.

Name

arcas guatemala

Legal name

Asociación de Rescate y Conservación de Vida Silvestre

Website

https://arcasguatemala.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ARCAS Guatemala is a non-profit founded in 1989 that operates one of the largest wildlife rescue centers in the Americas, rehabilitating 300–600 animals per year and running marine turtle, mangrove, and species-specific conservation programs in Petén and on the Pacific coast, funded by donations, volunteer fees, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Wildlife Health & Conservation Disease Management (HLAMAJAM)

Keywords

• Wildlife rescue services
• Wildlife rehabilitation programs
• Conservation volunteer programs
• Environmental education services
• Sea turtle conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

San Lucas Sacatepéquez

HQ country

Guatemala

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Memberships: Non-profit organization relying on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations worldwide. Annual membership program offers donor benefits in exchange for yearly contributions. US-based 501(c)(3) organization established in 2019 facilitates tax-deductible donations for US donors.
2. Nest Sponsorship Program: $25 sponsors one complete nest of approximately 100 sea turtle eggs. Eggs purchased from local collectors, reburied in hatcheries, and after 50 days hatchlings are released to the sea. Can be purchased as a gift for friends or family.
3. Volunteer Program Fees: Three-tiered volunteer program pricing: Full Plan ($480 first week + $200/week), Reservation Plan ($275 first week + $200/week), Backpacker Plan ($225/week). Includes meals, accommodation, and varying levels of transport and activity inclusions.
4. Hawaii Volunteer Program Fees: Basic program $225/week without transport; Reserved first week $275 then $225/week includes pickup from nearby Monterrico. Includes three daily meals, accommodation, and activities.
5. Merchandise Sales: ARCAS merchandise shop sells clothing, kids clothing, accessories, and stationery through Redbubble. All proceeds go directly to animal conservation and rehabilitation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ARCAS Guatemala operates a GFAS-accredited wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in Petén that receives 300-600 animals per year from over 40 species confiscated from the illegal pet trade. The organization also runs the Parque Hawaii marine turtle conservation program on the Pacific coast (managing hatcheries for olive ridley, green, and leatherback turtles), species-specific conservation programs for scarlet macaws, jaguars, spider monkeys, and yellow-naped parrots, plus volunteer programs, a veterinary student training program, and a sponsor-a-nest donation program.

Product overview

ARCAS Guatemala is a non-profit wildlife conservation organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include the GFAS-accredited Wildlife Rescue Center in Petén (handling wildlife rescue and rehabilitation), marine turtle conservation at Parque Hawaii, environmental education through the CEBIo center, and species-specific conservation programs for scarlet macaws, jaguars, spider monkeys, and yellow-naped parrots. Supporting services include volunteer programs, a veterinary student training program, a biology internship, a sponsor-a-nest donation program, and an online merchandise shop. The organization operates across three main locations: Guatemala City (administration and environmental education), Petén (wildlife rescue and breeding programs), and Hawaii on the Pacific coast (marine turtle and mangrove conservation).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ARCAS Wildlife Rescue Center in Petén
• ARCAS Parque Hawaii Marine Turtle Conservation Program
• CEBIo - Centro de Educación de Biodiversidad (Biodiversity Education Center)
• Scarlet Macaw Captive Breeding Program
• Spider Monkey Rehabilitation and Release Program
• Jaguar Conservation Program (Jaguares Sin Fronteras)
• Yellow-Naped Parrot Conservation (COLORES)
• Volunteer Programs (Petén and Hawaii)
• Veterinary Student Program
• Biology Internship Program
• Sponsor-a-Nest Program
• ARCAS Shop (Merchandise)

Quantifiable outcome

• 90%+ hatch success rate for sea turtle eggs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Columbus Zoo and AquariumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term conservation partner supporting ARCAS annual reports, sea turtle conservation programs, and species recovery initiatives. Provides funding and technical expertise for wildlife rescue operations.
• Cincinnati ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation collaborator providing donor support and programmatic partnerships for wildlife conservation in Guatemala.
• Houston ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner supporting ARCAS wildlife rescue and environmental education programs through funding and technical assistance.
• Oakland ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized multiple youth conservation trips to ARCAS since 2003. Teens raised funds for spider monkey fence and collected educational/medical supplies. ZooCamp adopted ARCAS as annual beneficiary.
• CONAP (Consejo Nacional de Áreas Protegidas)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for protected area co-management, wildlife enforcement, spider monkey rehabilitation program, and scarlet macaw conservation. ARCAS Executive Director serves on CONAP board.
• US Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides funding and technical support for sea turtle conservation, population monitoring, and wildlife trafficking enforcement activities.
• USAIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding support for wildlife trafficking enforcement activities and conservation programs in Guatemala.
• Humane Society InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports wildlife trafficking enforcement activities and capacity building for wildlife protection in Guatemala.
• IUCNcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARCAS Director of Development serves as member of Guatemalan IUCN committee. Active in species conservation committees and policy development.
• ZACC (Zoos and Aquariums Committed to Conservation)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member organization. Consortium of North American and European zoo administrators working to encourage greater conservation commitment. Executive Director Miriam Monterroso participates in conferences.
• WIDECASTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARCAS Director of Development Colum Muccio serves as national coordinator for Widecast, the Regional Resource Network for Marine Turtle Conservation in the Wider Caribbean.
• One Earth ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on COLORES project for yellow-naped amazon conservation along Pacific coast of Guatemala.
• Lafeber ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in COLORES consortium dedicated to yellow-naped amazon conservation using the species as flagship for protected area creation.
• Wildlife Conservation SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on COLORES yellow-naped amazon conservation project along Pacific coast.
• Fundación Defensores de la NaturalezaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on first release of captive-bred scarlet macaws in 2015 at Sierra del Lacandón National Park. Joint jaguar monitoring with radio telemetry in Laguna del Tigre National Park.
• Unidos para la ConservacióncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on jaguar conservation efforts addressing human-carnivore conflict and jaguar-proof cattle ranching.
• Rotary ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported construction of 935 efficient Justa wood stoves throughout Guatemala reducing wood consumption 70%.
• UNDP (PNUD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in technical study and master plan for new marine protected area at Las Lisas under Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Coastal Marine Protected Areas project.
• Japanese EmbassycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan APC Fund supported potable water program in Hawaii area. Japanese government supported renovation of Parque Hawaii and Petén Wildlife Rescue Center.
• Brevard ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on development of environmental education materials used in school presentations.
• INABcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Sustainable Management of Mangrove Ecosystem Forest Resources regulation development.
• ITTO (International Tropical Timber Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing mangrove ecosystem sustainable management regulations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WildAid: Organization focused on reducing illegal wildlife trade through enforcement, demand reduction, and partnerships. Directly comparable to ARCAS's wildlife trafficking enforcement support funded by USAID and CONAP.
• Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza: Guatemalan conservation NGO co-managing protected areas and running species recovery programs. Directly comparable to ARCAS as a domestic Guatemalan counterpart with overlapping jaguar and scarlet macaw conservation work and shared protected area partnerships.
• Sea Turtle Conservancy: Oldest sea turtle conservation organization, focused on nesting beach protection and population research. Closely comparable to ARCAS Hawaii's nesting beach monitoring, egg collection, and hatchery operations on the Pacific coast.
• Turtle Survival Alliance: International coalition focused on turtle and tortoise species survival, running rescue centers and captive breeding programs. Directly comparable to ARCAS's marine turtle conservation, captive breeding, and release protocols at Parque Hawaii.
• WIDECAST: Regional marine turtle conservation network for the Wider Caribbean. Directly comparable because ARCAS's Development Director serves as national coordinator and runs overlapping nest protection, hatchery, and population monitoring programs.
• One Earth Conservation: Conservation organization running the COLORES project for yellow-naped amazon parrot protection in Guatemala. Directly comparable as ARCAS's active consortium partner on flagship-species protected area creation.

Broad incumbents

• International Fund for Animal Welfare: Global animal welfare NGO with wildlife rescue, anti-trafficking, and habitat protection programs. Comparable because it addresses illegal wildlife trade and rehabilitation—ARCAS's core rescue mandate—across multiple geographies.
• World Wildlife Fund: One of the largest international conservation NGOs, with active programs in Guatemala and Central America on species protection and habitat. Overlaps with ARCAS's wildlife rescue, environmental education, and community development work.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Global wildlife conservation NGO running field programs across the Americas. Comparable because it operates wildlife protection, species recovery, and protected area co-management at scale, overlapping with ARCAS's rescue and conservation mandate.
• Humane Society International: Global animal protection organization with active wildlife trafficking enforcement programs. Comparable to ARCAS as a funder and programmatic partner on wildlife trade enforcement and capacity building in Guatemala.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ArcasGuatemala
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arcas-guatemala

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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