Victor “Toreto” Palomino Espinoza is a central member of Hoja Nueva’s field team and leads much of the maintenance and practical infrastructure work required to keep its remote Amazonian facilities operating.

Together with Mateo, Toreto is responsible for nearly every physical system on site: constructing, repairing, modifying, and dismantling wildlife enclosures; building shelters, platforms, doors, barriers, and other structures; maintaining roofs, water systems, generators, boats and motors; moving food, equipment, building materials, and other heavy supplies; clearing and maintaining operational areas; managing waste and compost; supporting boat transport; and responding whenever something breaks or needs to be built.

Working in rainforest means that infrastructure is constantly challenged by heat, humidity, rainfall, flooding, treefall, insects, vegetation, mud, and distance from conventional services. Toreto’s ability to improvise and solve problems is therefore fundamental to animal welfare and staff safety.

His work supports every branch of Hoja Nueva—from wildlife rehabilitation and research to housing, transportation, and day-to-day field life. The site simply could not function without the maintenance team behind it.