On an October afternoon in Tortuguero National Park, the forest was alive with color and sound—bright birds and frogs chirping, insects buzzing and monkeys crashing through the trees. As they took in the sights and sounds during a nature walk, the group of Humane World for Animals supporters and staff was not expecting to run into a scrawny and affectionate dog wandering alone in the forest.
But they did. And today, his name is Bosque.
A fragile balance in paradise
Nestled within a national park on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, the remote village of Tortuguero sits on a sandbar only accessible by plane or boat. The beaches here are some of the most important nesting sites for endangered green sea turtles in the world. Jaguars, monkeys, sloths, iguanas and bright colored frogs are just some of the wild neighbors that cohabitate with humans and domestic animals in this community.
Free-roaming (and often unvaccinated) dogs and cats may chase or prey on turtles, birds and other reptiles. Jaguars, meanwhile, have adapted to prey on unattended pets outside of turtle nesting season—risking zoonotic disease transmission and harming the ecosystem. Without accessible veterinary care and coexistence education, both people and animals are at risk.
Humane World’s work in Tortuguero aims to change that, building a future where people, pets and wildlife live in balance.
Since our wellness program launched in 2024:
provided, including health checks, vaccinations, deworming, microchipping and other treatments.
trained in animal behavior and first aid, now directly supporting and extending our clinical services.
—nearly 70% of Tortuguero’s population—educated on responsible pet ownership and how to prevent negative interactions between companion animals and wildlife.
A life-changing encounter on a rainforest adventure
In October 2025, 11 supporters from around the world traveled to Costa Rica with Humane Journeys, which offers authentic, cause-driven travel to unique destinations around the world. This year in Tortuguero, they joined our Costa Rica team’s sixth and final wellness clinic of the year. After assisting local dogs and cats, the group set off for a walk inside the national park to learn more about the region’s wildlife.
While she was explaining the area’s unique coexistence issues, Grettel Delgadillo, deputy director of programs and policy for Humane World for Animals Costa Rica, says a real-life example appeared before them—a thin, scruffy dog walking alone through the forest.
He looked weak and weary. His left eye was cloudy, his ears looked painfully infected, and his skin was irritated. He was neutered, suggesting that someone had cared for him once. Despite his painful condition, his trusting eyes revealed a gentle spirit—and everyone immediately fell in love with him.
Sofía Herra/Humane World for Animals
The group’s guide, also a trained “animal ambassador,” recognized the dog from a recent camera trap sighting. The camera had been monitoring jaguars inside the national park. “It was a miracle he was still alive,” says Sofía Herra, Costa Rica’s senior program manager of cruelty and companion animals.
The visitors suspected he’d been abandoned, and they weren’t about to leave him behind to face the dangers of the wild alone.
With only one night left in Tortuguero, the team moved quickly. Our staff in Costa Rica contacted partners in San José and found a clinic that would take the pup in for treatment and prepare him for adoption. All they had to do was get him there.
Two local volunteers gave him a bath and a warm place to sleep for the night, and the group voted on a name for him: Bosque, meaning “forest” in Spanish.
The footage from Tortuguero is quite striking, but those videos were way easier to watch before adopting him. We were not aware just how sweet and vulnerable he actually is, clearly not equipped to deal with that situation at all. It took a huge toll on him; we can feel it as he slowly comes out of his shell.”
—Verónica Gómez and Rodolfo León, Bosque’s adoptive family
From rainforest rescue to recovery
Bosque found kindness at every leg of his journey, including the boat captain and bus company that allowed him to travel back with the others. As the group made their four-hour journey through the canals of Tortuguero and over the mountains toward the capital, Bosque rested peacefully, surrounded by the gentle hands and voices of those who had saved him.
Sofía Herra/Humane World for Animals
When they arrived in San José, thanks to our team’s partnership with the organization Animal Hope Costa Rica, he began immediate treatment for his ear and skin infections. He was underweight, dehydrated and suffering from heartworm, a mosquito-borne disease common in tropical climates. With specialized care from a cardiologist, ophthalmologist and other specialists, Bosque began to heal.
Verónica Gómez
After a month of recovery, Bosque was adopted by a loving family and has a new four-legged sister named Bolincha. Today, he has completed his heartworm treatment and is looking so much healthier and happier. His family describes him as a gentle, calming presence at home despite everything he’s endured. “By some miracle,” they say, “he didn’t lose his tenderness and warm disposition through it all.”
Bosque’s story reminds us of the power of love and compassion. Thanks to the teamwork, quick action and open hearts of our Humane Journey visitors and local partners, he found safety and care. That compassion is what makes our work in this community possible, moving toward a future where companion animals, people and local wildlife thrive together.
Our team will be in Tortuguero again this year, providing free veterinary care for the animals and the community—and you can be a part of it, too. Join our 2026 Humane Journeys trip and don’t miss this incredible opportunity to make a difference while experiencing the beauty of Costa Rica.
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