Laura Coleman (1)

Moving memoir about the author’s transformative experience volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary in the jungles of Bolivia. In her twenties, and at loose ends, she was traveling in South America, when she read a flyer that led her to the refuge. She was assigned to Wayra, the puma that changed her life.

“Rescued animals are like onions. You work so hard to peel off one layer of anxiety, only to expose another, and then another that you had absolutely no idea was hiding underneath. And show more because all of us really are no different from any of the animals here, because we’re all messed up and broken in our own individual ways, we’re like onions too.”

This book describes the difficulties involved in caring for wild creatures that have been treated poorly, resulting in fear and confusion. The author does not shy away from the challenges – habitat destruction, forest fires, illegal animal trafficking, an increasing number of animals needing care, and a decreasing number of volunteers. The scenes portray the many physical obstacles of living in the jungle – mosquitos, snakes, parasites, the rainy season that floods the area. It contains vivid descriptions of the land, people, and wildlife.

“Wayra would wait a few minutes, just to show she didn’t care, before strutting over, swishing her tail. Then she’d rest her white chin on one of our boots and curl her limbs underneath herself into a tiny, perfect ball. She’d go from being the picture of cool to the most vulnerable thing, in one strange, precious moment.”

It is written with humor and compassion. When she first arrives, she finds an rebellious monkey and a pig that steals bras.

“The jungle is everywhere and, as I turn and see a monkey sitting on a signpost, I leap back with a yelp. He’s the size of a small child, hunched, with thick ginger fur. The signpost clearly says NO MONKEYS ON THE ROAD! in bright-red letters. He just stares at me. Yeah, so. What are you going to do about it? I’m not going to do anything. It’s about to get dark and I’m on my own in the jungle.”

“I let it fall onto the top of the list, along with “walked a puma” and “shared my shower with a tarantula the size of a dinner plate.”

I particularly enjoyed the photos that appear at the end of the e-book. Laura finds her passion in life while working with these traumatized animals. From the Afterword:

“Wild animals are not pets. They should live in their own habitat with their own species. Maybe there is a future where no animal is kept in a cage and books like this won’t need to be written. But for now, proceeds from this book are going to support CIWY’s work fighting the illegal wildlife trade and providing homes to those who need them. If you would like to help, either by volunteering or making a donation, please visit CIWY’s website: www. intiwarayassi. org ”

For those sensitive to animal suffering, it should be noted that this book does not contain descriptions of animal cruelty. These volunteers are trying their best to help animals that have been abused in the past. It is an emotional story of love and hope.

4.5 show less

Desperately sweet and heartrending

"But maybe it’s also because I’ve been spinning for so long. I’ve felt lost in the lights and sounds and pressures of moving forwards, moving upwards, moving somewhere. The aimlessness of it making my hands shake and limbs desperately tired."

I could not put down Paula Coleman's memoir, Puma Years, until I had to because of the overwhelming love and sadness I kept having to take a break from.

Coming to the Parque, a wild animal refuge in Bolivia as a show more young, shy, uncertain girl, Paula meets Wayra. She is a battered, frightened Puma who can sense fear a mile away and that is all that Paula feels.

Swept into the lyrical beauty of the tropical forests and in culture shock over the difference between the sterile world of the UK and the sweaty, muddy, insect ridden jungle, Paula struggles to acclimate.

"Now, for the first time in a really long time, with the sound of Wayra’s steady breathing and the settling of the jungle heartbeats around me, I feel like I’m weightless. As if I might be coming to a stop. Here in a place I least expected to. With this puma, who I’m starting to realise might not be as brave, or as bold, as she wants me to believe."

The bond between girl and great cat slowly peels away the layers of distrust, as her boss says, like onion layers. Until they reach a level of authenticity and wordless communication.

I can never write how deeply this book affected me. Exquisite as it is, it goes beyond the intellectual to the heart. Although the ending is realistic, it was hard to assimilate, much like life itself. I'll leave you with a last quote that made me happy.

“Oh, Laurita,” Nena whispers. “¿Ella es feliz?” “Sí.” Relief, shock, pride, disbelief. “Oh, Laurita,” Nena whispers. “¿Ella es feliz?” “Sí.” Relief, shock, pride, disbelief. It clamours so loudly I can barely hear anything. I can barely hear my own words. She is happy. Happy. “Wayra es feliz.” And then we both burst into tears."

"Because it’s the connections that make the difference, right?" show less

The Puma Years by Laura Coleman is a memoir of the authors years at a Wildlife Sanctuary in Bolivia. She had been living a rather aimless life and so she decided on backpacking through South America. Her time at the ramshackle sanctuary changed her life. She not only fell in love with the place, the other volunteers and their lifestyle she met the love of her life, a puma named Wayra.

Art first terrified of all the animals and counting down her time there, she started with planning on being show more there a couple of months, but when she learned that to be able to look after any of the jungle cats that were there she needed to agree to stay two months, she immediately signed up. She was assigned to Wayra, and at first terrified of the at she felt that Wayra had no use for her at all. But seeing the relationship that others forged with the cats, she grew patient and took her time getting to know Wayra. All too soon she was siting next to the cat while being licked by her, taking the cat for walks through the jungle, swimming with her and sleeping by her side through the heat of the day. She also learned to love the other animals that were put in her care. Two mischievous Howler monkeys and a thieving part pig part peccary who had an underwear fetish brought a lot of humor to the story.

All of these animal were damaged or broken by their troubled past. Wayra had been taken as a pet when very young so she could never live free as her mother had been killed and Wayra hadn’t been taught the survival skill she would need. Laura’s stay at the park extended to almost two years and hen she did finally return to the U.K. she set up a charity to aid the sanctuary.

This is a moving story that is well written and descriptive and while the living conditions were appalling, Laura’s efforts are interesting and emotional. Altogether a powerful memoir. show less

Laura’s story of her relationship with Wayla the Puma and the wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia is raw, personal and very, very good. She shows us what that life is like. It is filled with mud, mosquitoes, heat, pain and moments of outstanding beauty. It’s a loud statement on deforestation , agricultural burning, loss of habitat, and the trade of wildlife for pets. I know I couldn’t handle what Laura handled and I admire her greatly. Thanks for sharing your journey into Bolivia and self show more discovery. show less