Guira Oga

Guira Oga is a wildlife rescue and conservation center located in Puerto Iguazú that is part of the Fundación Azara network. Its name, a Guaraní term for a local bird species, encapsulates the institution’s philosophy: “Educate to care, care to preserve.”

The refuge operates in direct response to the conservation crisis of the Atlantic Forest, one of South America’s most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems. Through its rescue and rehabilitation programs, it cares for animals that are victims of illegal wildlife trafficking, vehicle collisions, poacher injuries, and those voluntarily surrendered by locals unable to care for them in the wild.

Guira Oga’s operations revolve around three core pillars. The first is the rescue of wildlife that has suffered harm or exploitation. The second is the rehabilitation of recovered animals, with a dual purpose: releasing into nature those that make a full recovery, or maintaining breeding programs for species unable to return to the forest but whose survival is critical to conservation efforts. The third is education and research: the center develops educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and the region’s ecosystems.

Among the species that Guira Oga cares for are jaguars, harpy eagles, and other birds and mammals of the Misiones rainforest. The refuge’s work is essential for globally threatened species, functioning as an active conservation point in a region where deforestation and illegal trade remain persistent threats.

Visiting Guira Oga offers travelers a different perspective on tourism in Iguazú. Rather than limiting itself to passive observation of nature, visitors can witness firsthand the real challenges facing wildlife and how local actions contribute to its protection. The center also offers volunteer programs for those who wish to engage more actively in conservation during their stay.