I met Jack Ewing in 2009 upon my arrival in Costa Rica while preparing my second book on the country. I was deeply impressed by his vision and commitment, and I stayed several times in the wildlife reserve he has admirably recreated.
“Nature is so resilient. If you give it a chance, and sometimes a helping hand, jungles can reappear where we have created deserts,” wrote primatologist Jane Goodall. Hacienda Barú on the Pacific coast is a shining example of this truth.
When Jack Ewing and his family moved here in 1972, pastures had overtaken the forest, and wildlife had disappeared in the face of encroaching cattle. After a few years of farming, Jack decided to restore nature and let the jungle reclaim its place while maintaining small agricultural plots. The next phase began in the early 1980s with a planned reforestation project, coupled with a tourism initiative. This visionary project quickly became an ecological success: 330 hectares came back to life. Today, Hacienda Barú is classified as a national wildlife refuge. Its forest trails allow visitors to discover a rich and varied fauna that has naturally returned to its quarters. Xenarthrans thrive here, as do capuchin monkeys that have colonized the reserve, and the ubiquitous coatis. Amphibians flourish, and water birds nest in large numbers. The presence of small felines (ocelots, margays, jaguarundis) indicates a healthy ecological balance. But conservation requires constant dedication, and the work continues daily, including conducting scientific studies and participating in the creation of “biological corridors,” such as the “Path of the Tapir,” which connect protected natural areas to reduce the isolation of animal populations.
The reborn wildlife transforms those who live there: Jack, now an author, uses his writing to support biodiversity and pens the tales of Hacienda Barú. His first book, “Monkeys Are Made of Chocolate,” narrates the local flora and fauna that Jack has discovered during his thirty years living near the jungle, as well as his love for all forms of life.
