My Nonprofit Reviews

I got to Sahuaripa at night. Field biologists for the Northern Jaguar Reserve Miguel and his wife Carmina were returning from Hermosillo with their one-year-old Luis. I was standing at the corner across from the church. We’d texted back and forth to coordinate the meeting so I could follow them to their house. When Miguel jumped out of his car and stood in front of me with such a sweet smile on his face, I knew this was going to be a great few days together heading out to the remote reserve at least five hours from town.

The next day Miguel packed up the 4Runner and off we went for the trip into the Reserve. Talk about wild mountains!! And bumpy roads. Yet I’ve never been more relaxed in a car while dangling over thousand-foot cliffs and carefully picking our way over such a remote and hauntingly beautiful land.

When we got to Babisal camp, the vaqueros, Braulio, his son Braulio jr, and Manuel, were standing in front of the fire. Warm greetings all round. The next day we went on a hike to check some camera traps and again we were driving through riverbeds that certainly didn’t look like a car could pass. We spent two magic days exploring the reserve, then drove the torturously long drive back to town. And when I left Miguel, Carmina, and Luis a few days later, I felt I’d made great friends. Not only is the work of the NJP important to the animals, preserving the wild cats in the magic land they live in, but it’s even more important, and impressive, I think for all the good will the project establishes with ranchers and visitors alike. Excellent excellent job!! Keep it up!!