Today My Daughter Touched a Jaguar

Along with building the most amazing resort in history, Nikki Beach also funds an animal reserve on site that takes in rescued animals that have been captured by hunters and sold on the black market. One such animal is a 5 month old jaguar named Sumo. He was sold to an American business owner on the mainland of Honduras by a poacher who had killed his Mom and was looking to sell Sumo as a pet. The American bought Sumo from the poachers and promptly brought him here to the Nikki Beach Reserve. He was sick, malnourished, and on the brink of death. The Vet here nursed him back to health and now he is the healthiest, most lovable animal you could ever meet. He plays with dog toys and gets so excited when he sees people coming that he forgets about his size and throws himself at you. If you put your hand up to his cage (cage is an understatement, Sumo has an actual replica of a jungle as a home, it's the next best thing to actually being in the jungle, trust me) he will put his paw on your hand begging you to play with him. I will use any and every excuse to go down to the reserve to see the animals, but was waiting on the perfect opportunity to bring Danika down.

Yesterday was it.

Danika squealed at the monkeys chattering and jumping down to harmlessly grab at her feet, pointed at each one of the exotic parrots and mackaws squawking at us as we threw them pieces of fruit, but I have never seen her make the face that she did when she saw Sumo up close and personal. She was utterly stunned. She stared at him with her mouth wide open and her eyes even wider. She didn't even make a move. She wasn't scared, just in awe of this creature that was too big to be a "puppy" but didn't look like a human. Sumo seeming to know that he was in the presence of something slightly more delicate than he was used to, very gently stood up to reach where my hand was placed. His face was right next to Danika's. Danika very slowly took her tiny little pointer finger and placed it directly on the pad of Sumo's paw. Sumo just stood there as Danika poked his paw again and again, looking up at me with her mouth still wide open.

Another moment of paradise.

I then took her over to the most dynamic of all of the creatures there; a two toed sloth named Guillermo. Guillermo has a big attitude, but can only move in slow motion so it makes it all the more funny to see him fuss at you. He is easily the ugliest creature I have ever seen but he certainly doesn't know it.

I saved the best for last with my two favorite animals in the reserve. Two big fat old monkeys named Gordo and Blanche. Gordo is named Gordo because that's exactly what he is, fat. He was captured and sold as a pet to an American family who fed him candy and pop until he became so sick that they didn't want him anymore. Now he eats fruits, vegetables, and has the occasional treat of sweet coconut. He is still fat, but getting healthier and healthier by the day. He is very outgoing and when he sees you coming, he runs and puts his whole arm out to touch you. Mouth wide open in what looks like a snarl, but is actually a smile.
Blanche is an old lady that was also used as a pet. She is missing a finger for some unknown reason and is very very frightened of humans (one could only guess why). She does not trust anyone, but has decided to trust me for some reason. When I come around her she gently sticks her hand out to me and we just stand there holding hands like old friends. I don't make any sudden movements around her, and don't pet her or feed her treats. She wants nothing more than to hold my hand as I talk softly to her about anything and everything. Sometimes she closes her eyes as I talk as if she is imagining all the beautiful things I describe to her.

It makes me sick to think that people could abuse these beautiful creatures and the reality of poachers in Central America is very much a part of day to day life, a fact that I single handedly can do nothing about. As long as there are people who are willing to buy, then there are poachers that are willing to sell.

I will make note that the reserve is not yet open to the public and when it is, the public will not get to have the same experience that I was able to share with Danika. The animals will be viewed from a far and treated as though they are wild.

For now, I will enjoy every second I possibly can with Blanche, Sumo, and the rest of the gang. I try not to show my sadness for the freedom that they have so unfairly lost, although I'm sure they can feel it in my touch and see it in my eyes. I am sorry for all that they have gone through for the sake of other's, but I am thankful that the Lord has brought them here, a fate that very few others will get to see.

See bottom of page for a picture of Danika and Blanche.