On the morning of June 11th, my son and I were forever changed by a heart-wrenching scene. As we were traveling up the hill from Playa Hermosa toward the Waldorf Hotel around 7:30 AM, a piercing cry shattered the morning calm. High above, on tangled power lines silhouetted against the dawn sky, a male howler monkey clung desperately to the limp body of a young female. She had just been struck by a devastating electric shock of over 14,000 volts, her life snuffed out in an instant. His anguished screams echoed through the trees as he tried, with trembling hands, to guide her lifeless form across the deadly wires.
I pulled our car to the side of the road, my heart pounding, hoping to save them. But as I stepped closer, the male released her, and her body fell with a soft thud onto the sun-warmed asphalt. The scene grew even more unbearable as the rest of the Troop—mothers with babies clinging tightly to their chests, young adults with wide, fearful eyes, and the steadfast alpha male—shrieked in collective grief from the wires above. Their cries, raw and guttural, filled the air like a mournful chorus. The alpha male darted back and forth, ensuring his family crossed to safety, only to return for his fallen mate, his movements frantic yet tender. I rushed to move her still-warm body from the road, shielding him from the danger of oncoming cars. With care, I wrapped her in a soft towel and placed her in my car to give her a proper burial. From the nearby trees, the troop watched, their wails a haunting testament to their loss, their dark eyes fixed on their beloved mother/sister.
For some, this might feel distant, just another tale of nature. But standing there, watching this family grieve—mothers cradling their young, the troop huddled together in sorrow—was like witnessing a human family shattered by a sudden, tragic loss. To those who claim animals don’t feel, I ask: Have you ever felt the unwavering loyalty of a pet, the fierce protection of a guardian, or the gentle love of a mother for her child? Howler monkeys feel deeply. They love fiercely. They suffer profoundly. Please, don’t turn away from their pain. Don’t mistreat, abandon, or ignore them.
Hours later, I returned with @KarolAllard from Save Monkeys at Playa Hermosa and a Coopeguanacaste worker. Karol’s face fell as she recognized Troop #5, a family that has roamed these hills for years. We learned that the primary power cables, sagging from years of neglect, hang perilously close to safer lines, creating a deadly trap for unsuspecting wildlife. Shockingly, Costa Rica has no laws requiring power companies to insulate these high-voltage cables, leaving animals, workers, and even people vulnerable to electrocution. Worse still, unchecked construction has devoured green spaces, forcing monkeys like Troop #5 into crowded, dangerous areas where they risk not only electric shocks but also being struck by vehicles.
But we can change this. This tragedy doesn’t have to repeat itself. You can help protect our cherished howler monkeys and other wildlife. Here’s how:
Join your community’s wildlife rescue team to respond to emergencies and save lives.
Support fundraising events to build safe passages, such as wildlife bridges, that allow animals to cross unharmed.
Spread awareness by educating others about the importance of respecting and protecting our wildlife.
Advocate for change by sharing initiatives with local and national leaders to pass laws safeguarding our natural treasures.
Let’s honor this young howler’s memory by acting now. Together, we can create a world where wildlife thrives, safe from harm. Will you stand with us?
Dr. Sharine Alice VMD, CMVCR1117
Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste
WhatsApp: (506) 8307-84000
