The Las Pumas Rescue Center began in the early 60s when deforestation in Guanacaste was at its height. At that time, many wild animals lost their habitat and/or were captured by local people to have them as pets at home or illegally trafficked them.
Don Werner Hagnauer migrated to our country of Switzerland in 1959 to work in the well-known Hacienda La Pacifica. In 1971 they bought the Hacienda and sustainably continued the livestock project with the environment.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Lilly Bodmer of Hagnauer, her wife who always had a conservationist vision, began to receive animals brought by people from the area, officials of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) at that time MIRENEM and sometimes bought animals Wild to save their lives and give them proper care.
In 1985, they decided to sell La Hacienda and maintain an area of approximately 25 Ha, where in 1989 they founded what is now known as the Las Pumas Rescue Center. Today, the Hanauer Foundation, a non-profit organization, is in charge of financing the Las Pumas Rescue Center.
The Llanos de Cortez is a beautiful hidden waterfall, located about 3kms north of Bagaces and a short drive from the Pumas Rescue Center. This beautiful national park is an amazing spot to visit. You can bathe in the waterfall and enjoy a relaxing time near the water.