The CREA center in Iquitos, Loreto, is an Amazonian rescue facility that rehabilitates manatees, pink river dolphins, and turtles for reintegration into their natural Amazonian habitat.
The Centro de Rescate Amazónico de Iquitos, commonly known by its acronym CREA, is a center dedicated to the study, conservation, and rescue of Amazonian ecosystems and their wildlife. Its mission is to develop and implement programs for the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of endangered species back into their natural habitat. Through environmental education programs and the promotion of responsible tourism, CREA strengthens protection of Loreto’s threatened wildlife and contributes to the preservation of the Amazonian ecosystem.
CREA is located 4.5 kilometers southwest of the city of Iquitos, along the Iquitos–Nauta highway. From the Plaza de Armas (corner of Jr. Putumayo and Jr. Arica), visitors can take a public bus for S/.1.00 (less than $1 USD). The center can also be reached by mototaxi for an average fare of S/. 10 (approximately $3). The journey takes about 30 minutes.
Mission and Conservation Programs
The center’s primary objective is to develop programs for the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of aquatic mammals and endangered wildlife — particularly the Amazonian manatee — in the Loreto region. In addition to rescue work, CREA runs an important environmental education program focused on the conservation of these species and their ecosystems.
Construction of the rescue center in Iquitos is a relatively recent achievement: the project was conceived in 2011, though the Rescate Amazonas Program began taking shape in mid-2007. Its founding purpose was to restore and rehabilitate orphaned manatee calves left vulnerable by the excessive hunting of adult animals, which are valued for their meat.
CREA receives manatees rescued from tourism centers, entertainment venues, and fish farms, where they are often kept for exhibition or as pets. Once rescued, the calves remain in the weaning area until they are at least two years old, after which they move to the pre-release area — an artificial lagoon in the middle of the jungle — where older manatees share space with other animals such as turtles and various fish species.
Conservation Awareness
In addition to species conservation, CREA works to raise awareness about the uncontrolled hunting of Amazonian species. Its activities include educational talks and a range of workshops, particularly aimed at encouraging people — especially younger visitors — to learn about conservation and to respect the species that inhabit the Peruvian Amazon.
A visit to CREA offers travelers the opportunity not only to see the work the team carries out, but also to interact with the animals in the rehabilitation area. This interaction allows visitors to observe the feeding of manatee calves and, in some cases, to witness the preparation of rehabilitated animals for their release back into the wild.
The Story of CREA
The history of CREA began in 2007, when its current director, Javier Velázquez, and two colleagues decided to take action to save the manatees. That year, 15 manatee calves were found dead in fish farms and ponds along the road to Iquitos. “Some were found in communities and others in tourism and recreation centers,” recalls Christian, environmental management engineer and head of environmental education and ecotourism coordination at CREA. The founders contacted the Caribbean Stranding Network in Puerto Rico for support.
Since the center opened, there have been 42 successful manatee rescues and 21 releases. The first release took place in 2011 in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. “We are always looking for protected natural areas to release the animals,” says the team.
How to Get There
Iquitos to CREA: Bus — approximately 45 minutes
Hours
- Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Admission Price
- Adults: S/10.00 soles
- Children: S/5.00 soles
- Students: S/5.00 soles
- Foreigners: S/20.00 soles
- (Reference prices — verify before visiting)
