The Puma Years: A Memoir of Love and Transformation in the Bolivian Jungle
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- Create Date：2021-05-17 10:19:12
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Laura Coleman
- ISBN：1542022193
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Summary
In this rapturous memoir， writer and activist Laura Coleman shares the story of her liberating journey in the Amazon jungle， where she fell in love with a magnificent cat who changed her life。
Laura was in her early twenties and directionless when she quit her job to backpack in Bolivia。 Fate landed her at a wildlife sanctuary on the edge of the Amazon jungle where she was assigned to a beautiful and complex puma named Wayra。 Wide-eyed， inexperienced， and comically terrified， Laura made the scrappy， make-do camp her home。 And in Wayra， she made a friend for life。
They weren’t alone， not with over a hundred quirky animals to care for， each lost and hurt in their own way: a pair of suicidal， bra-stealing monkeys， a frustrated parrot desperate to fly， and a pig with a wicked sense of humor。 The humans too were cause for laughter and tears。 There were animal whisperers， committed staff， wildly devoted volunteers， handsome heartbreakers， and a machete-wielding prom queen who carried Laura through。 Most of all， there was the jungle—lyrical and alive—and there was Wayra， who would ultimately teach Laura so much about love， healing， and the person she was capable of becoming。
Set against a turbulent and poignant backdrop of deforestation， the illegal pet trade， and forest fires， The Puma Years explores what happens when two desperate creatures in need of rescue find one another。
Laura was in her early twenties and directionless when she quit her job to backpack in Bolivia。 Fate landed her at a wildlife sanctuary on the edge of the Amazon jungle where she was assigned to a beautiful and complex puma named Wayra。 Wide-eyed， inexperienced， and comically terrified， Laura made the scrappy， make-do camp her home。 And in Wayra， she made a friend for life。
They weren’t alone， not with over a hundred quirky animals to care for， each lost and hurt in their own way: a pair of suicidal， bra-stealing monkeys， a frustrated parrot desperate to fly， and a pig with a wicked sense of humor。 The humans too were cause for laughter and tears。 There were animal whisperers， committed staff， wildly devoted volunteers， handsome heartbreakers， and a machete-wielding prom queen who carried Laura through。 Most of all， there was the jungle—lyrical and alive—and there was Wayra， who would ultimately teach Laura so much about love， healing， and the person she was capable of becoming。
Set against a turbulent and poignant backdrop of deforestation， the illegal pet trade， and forest fires， The Puma Years explores what happens when two desperate creatures in need of rescue find one another。
Reviews
Peggy Ford
，
INSPIRING AND BEYOND INSPIRINGThe Puma Years is a remarkable book written by a brave and adventurous woman。 It to a large extent focuses on her time in the jungle of Bolivia with her precious friend， a puma named Wayra。 Laura proves to be incredibly brave ！ She bonds with many people and with many anrimals that have been rescued， mostly from being illegally kept as pets。 I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy adventure stories， especially those with animals！
Nancy
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For love of a PumaLaura takes a two week volunteer job at a wildlife sanctuary， braving the rot， stink， and sweat of the jungle， only to find herself and a selfless love of the workers， the sanctuary， its inhabitants， and Wayra--a frightened puma in a world without a mother。 Laura's memoir brings to light， the real feelings and experiences in the jungle in uncomfortable conditions。 I won't forget this really well-written work。 For love of a PumaLaura takes a two week volunteer job at a wildlife sanctuary， braving the rot， stink， and sweat of the jungle， only to find herself and a selfless love of the workers， the sanctuary， its inhabitants， and Wayra--a frightened puma in a world without a mother。 Laura's memoir brings to light， the real feelings and experiences in the jungle in uncomfortable conditions。 I won't forget this really well-written work。 。。。more
Jeff Hanson
，
A fantastic memoir about a young woman who discovers her strength and identity in the rainforests of Bolivia amidst the volunteers at a small animal sanctuary that care for a mix of colorful jaguars， pumas， monkeys， birds and other creatures。 Impressively written， passionate without being pedantic， and a real wake-up call to the impacts of deforestation in South America。 Highly recommend！
Sonja
，
Wow！ Anyone who lived a life like this in the Amazon jungle and wrote a wonderful book about her experiences deserves a 5！ I am grateful for people like this who can survive living in a place to care for injured animals where I would never want to be， what with so many mosquitoes， animal poo， and just so many inconveniences that imagining wearing the same sweaty， filthy clothes for a week， taking one cold shower a week， and having to wear lots of clothing in the summer season and freeze to death Wow！ Anyone who lived a life like this in the Amazon jungle and wrote a wonderful book about her experiences deserves a 5！ I am grateful for people like this who can survive living in a place to care for injured animals where I would never want to be， what with so many mosquitoes， animal poo， and just so many inconveniences that imagining wearing the same sweaty， filthy clothes for a week， taking one cold shower a week， and having to wear lots of clothing in the summer season and freeze to death in the winter， and deal with an outhouse for years and years。 I kept wondering when she was going to leave for good， even if the only reason was being able to wear clean clothes and take a shower every day and not have to deal with rats， snakes， parasites， yucky food， and not enough medical care， in case it's needed。 She truly loved her cat， Wayra， so much that she stuck with it for many years on a full time basis before going on to other work but making an annual trip to Bolivia every year just to see how her beloved pet was doing。 One can just see and feel everything she went through。 Me， I was happy to read about it and not to have been there。 However， looking up Bolivia and seeing the scenery， I can appreciate how beautiful it is there - if only there weren't any creepy， crawly insects， etc。， to put up with。 Bravo to Laura！ 。。。more
Brenda Dillman
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TouchingI always wanted to work at a rescue。 This shows how truly gritty it is。 What can I do on a smaller level， well I have done it for many years。 Exceptional book。 I felt like I lived it and now it will be in my heart
MICHAEL B MOORE
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Amazing StoryWhat a journey this woman travelled。 It must have taken so much courage to do what she did and how profound the outcome was。 This was a story well told and one I couldn't put down。 Well done Ms。 Coleman！ Amazing StoryWhat a journey this woman travelled。 It must have taken so much courage to do what she did and how profound the outcome was。 This was a story well told and one I couldn't put down。 Well done Ms。 Coleman！ 。。。more
Jodie Sanderson
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A wonderful memoir， loved it！I got this book as a Prime first read and I really enjoyed it。 A beautiful and in parts heart breaking book。 Highlighting the constant battle with forest fires， the illegal pet trade and deforestation whilst telling the beautiful relationship of a woman and a puma。
Catherine Reeves
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I was absorbed from beginning to end with Laura's memoir。 It was honest， evocative and very educational。 I was absorbed from beginning to end with Laura's memoir。 It was honest， evocative and very educational。 。。。more
Kirsten Cutler
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This memoir is a very graphic account of time spent working in an animal sanctuary in the Amazon jungle。 The living conditions are harsh and primitive but the author conveys the passion she developed for a rescued puma she took care of in an intense daily regime for three months。 The impact of this initial experience becomes a lifelong commitment to rescuing and protecting animal victims of the exotic pet trade。
Molly McManus
，
Fantastic Journey This is a fantastic book。 I felt as if I were alongside the characters in the jungle caring for these amazing cats。 The journey is a amazing one to be part of！ I don't think it is possible to leave this book without being inspired。 Fantastic Journey This is a fantastic book。 I felt as if I were alongside the characters in the jungle caring for these amazing cats。 The journey is a amazing one to be part of！ I don't think it is possible to leave this book without being inspired。 。。。more
Sue fenimore
，
Incredible true story。。。。Made all that more delicious with Coleman’s passionate and raw prose， driving home the theme of youthful transformation in a trial by fire encounter with the jungle and damaged but salvageable souls。 Loved every minute！
Kenneth Heath
，
Fascinating and captivating！ I generally only read fiction。 However， this book drew me in and I couldn’t put it down。 She brilliantly paints a picture of her personal growth but more importantly the lives of these animals rescued。 I could never do what she did but I am so grateful that she does。 I feel enlightened and more aware。 Thank you for upending my eyes to something beyond my wildest imagination。
Ellyn Wolfe
，
The jungle comes alive！Laura Coleman brought me right into the Bolivian jungle with her， with the other volunteers， the biting insects， the mud and heat， and the rescued animals in the parque whose personalities she skillfully brought alive on the page。 I felt her fear and her joy， and her love for Wayra the puma who became her friend。 I could not put this book down！
Terry Suprean
，
Favorite book in a long timeThis memoir was beauThis memoir was beautifully， written， truthful and humorous。 Every experience seemed to be genuine。 It was a journey that you took with the author， of understanding the experience without an explanation of how anyone could possibly endure such hardship。 This will be a book that I share with my granddaughter when she is old enough， though the subject is one that many are never going to be able to ignore or be left without grief。 A perfectly told sto Favorite book in a long timeThis memoir was beauThis memoir was beautifully， written， truthful and humorous。 Every experience seemed to be genuine。 It was a journey that you took with the author， of understanding the experience without an explanation of how anyone could possibly endure such hardship。 This will be a book that I share with my granddaughter when she is old enough， though the subject is one that many are never going to be able to ignore or be left without grief。 A perfectly told story， believable in its humor and In the author's truth telling。 Thank you！ 。。。more
Jessica Erekson
，
Lots of language- if that bothers you。 Definitely thought provoking。 The Bolivian jungle is so different from my own experiences that it’s hard to comprehend。 I went between wanting to go myself and feeling like I definitely wouldn’t make it several times through the book。 I’m so glad Laura was able to find her place- because really that’s all we want。
Alison Blackburn
，
I absolutely loved this book。 Do yourself a favor and read it！
Tracy Mecum
，
Beautifully Written Story of a Bolivian Wildlife SanctuaryAnd how working there changed the writer's life。 This true story made me want to move to Bolivia and work at the sanctuary despite my artificial hip， arthritis and the fact that I'm a 73 year old woman。 Laura Coleman describes the colors of thr jungle and the bond formed with the animals that live there in such a way that you want to go there despite the hardships， bugs， and deadly dangers present。 Well worth the read。 Beautifully Written Story of a Bolivian Wildlife SanctuaryAnd how working there changed the writer's life。 This true story made me want to move to Bolivia and work at the sanctuary despite my artificial hip， arthritis and the fact that I'm a 73 year old woman。 Laura Coleman describes the colors of thr jungle and the bond formed with the animals that live there in such a way that you want to go there despite the hardships， bugs， and deadly dangers present。 Well worth the read。 。。。more
Jolene Knapp
，
Enthralling。 How can anyone find so many brilliant ways to describe the jungle in all five senses？ I loved this book。
Karen Richardson
，
Everyone With a Conscience Has To Read this Love StoryTook my breath away- cried and broke my heart- hope， love and willingness separate us as humans worthy of this world。
Jana D Alexander
，
Words are not enough to describe this HeartThe writing is superb。 The subject is beyond important。 The courage it takes to just BE in the Jungle is massive。 The physical and psychological toll it took on the author and volunteers was horrific。 The faint of heart need not apply。。。Beautifully expressed， this Truth of what humans ignorantly do to Mother Earth and her beloved creatures is heart breaking。 May this next generation heal what has been viciously done in the name of 'progress'。 So Be It。 Words are not enough to describe this HeartThe writing is superb。 The subject is beyond important。 The courage it takes to just BE in the Jungle is massive。 The physical and psychological toll it took on the author and volunteers was horrific。 The faint of heart need not apply。。。Beautifully expressed， this Truth of what humans ignorantly do to Mother Earth and her beloved creatures is heart breaking。 May this next generation heal what has been viciously done in the name of 'progress'。 So Be It。 。。。more
Constance Oliver
，
A just readLaura Coleman's book is a beautifully written， personal account of her experiences at Ambue Ari wildlife sactuary in Bolívia。 She details the problems faces by the sactuary as well as the commitment of the staff and Volunteers to giving the animals in their care the best life possibile。 The book is a powerful argument against the trafficking of wild animals as well as the deforestation of the Amazon。 Congratulations to Laura Coleman for all of her efforts on the part of wild animals a A just readLaura Coleman's book is a beautifully written， personal account of her experiences at Ambue Ari wildlife sactuary in Bolívia。 She details the problems faces by the sactuary as well as the commitment of the staff and Volunteers to giving the animals in their care the best life possibile。 The book is a powerful argument against the trafficking of wild animals as well as the deforestation of the Amazon。 Congratulations to Laura Coleman for all of her efforts on the part of wild animals and their （and our） environment。 。。。more
Gabriela Teixeira
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Totally in love with Wayra！ Nice book， great cause。Really enjoyable！
Sally Parcels
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A stark and first hand record of climate change and those it harms。From the first sentence this story grabs the reader。 When you realize it is true and an authentic description of the living conditions and struggles of volunteers who pay for the priviledge。。。
Rebecca A Boudreau
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Very Good！I loved this novel。 It is well written and “real。” Love that it’s true and I could feel as if I were there， so well described was it。
Rebecca Grace
，
RawBeautifully real， deep and thought provoking。 Will make you laugh， cry， cheer and ball your fists at the havoc industrialisation and consumerism are wreaking on wildlife。
Katie
，
Yikes， I'm definitely in the minority here。 But， like any good break up line: it's not you， it's me。 I'm just not an animal lover。 But I think the author went on an incredibly， brave， amazing journey and I think that's so admirable。 I think anyone who loves a good memoir and/or animals should read this。 Yikes， I'm definitely in the minority here。 But， like any good break up line: it's not you， it's me。 I'm just not an animal lover。 But I think the author went on an incredibly， brave， amazing journey and I think that's so admirable。 I think anyone who loves a good memoir and/or animals should read this。 。。。more
Alicia Skojec
，
This book destroyed me emotionally。 What a wild and beautiful journey， so vividly and emotionally written， with characters both human and animal lifelike and funny， heartbreaking and uplifting all at once。 I feel as in love with Wayra as the author。 Not ashamed to say I cried at the end and the hard truths of climate change and animal exploitation that continue to devastate this beautiful place and these wonderful creatures。 Would recommend， but beware of heartbreak。
C Robinson
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WonderfulI cant put into words how much this book moved me。。broke my heart and uplifted me。。everyone should read it， just wonderful。。
Kris Sellgren
，
This memoir is about an English woman who was traveling in Bolivia and saw a flyer about a sanctuary for animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade。 The author fell completely in love with a puma （mountain lion in the US） named Wayra。 The story of how Wayra came to trust the author is very touching。 The story bursts with the author’s love of the jungle， and her growing hatred of deforestation of the Amazon by loggers and slash-and-burn agriculture。 The jungle imagery is vivid and beautiful。 This memoir is about an English woman who was traveling in Bolivia and saw a flyer about a sanctuary for animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade。 The author fell completely in love with a puma （mountain lion in the US） named Wayra。 The story of how Wayra came to trust the author is very touching。 The story bursts with the author’s love of the jungle， and her growing hatred of deforestation of the Amazon by loggers and slash-and-burn agriculture。 The jungle imagery is vivid and beautiful。 The characters， both the other volunteers at the sanctuary and the animals， are finely drawn。 The relationship between the author and Wayra is not all smooth sailing， but the story is very moving。 Proceeds from the sale of this book （I got the book for free as part of Amazon’s “First Reads” program） go to support the sanctuary。 I loved this book。 I highly recommend it if you like nature and animals。 。。。more
Earl
，