A purpose-driven expedition by SuncoastVet that reconnects veterinary teams with nature, conservation and human growth.
Ankuara
Strength · Purpose · Renewal
Inspired by Andean and Amazonian voices: “Anku” as a symbol of strength; “Ara” of freedom and renewal. It’s the essence of our expedition—stronger people for better care.
No sign-up required
Why Ankuara?
The Ankuara Expedition was born from a simple belief: true success in veterinary care isn’t about chasing numbers—it’s about rediscovering our purpose. For too long, the profession has carried exhausting hours, emotional fatigue and a transactional view of care. That weight pulls teams away from the very reason they joined this field: to care for and love animals. Ankuara flips the narrative. It takes veterinary professionals out of the clinic and into the wild heart of South America, where conservation, nature and human growth meet. The first expedition in 2025 sparked something powerful: renewed connection, stories that moved communities and a clearer blueprint for leadership. To build stronger clinics, we must first build stronger people.
“To build stronger
clinics, we must first
build stronger people.”
Real Impact,
On and
Beyond the
Clinic
Ankuara isn’t a trip—it’s a lever for change. Your support backs conservation programs, invests in the people who care for animals every day and strengthens community trust around veterinary leadership.
Wildlife Conservation:
Fieldwork with local partners that protects habitats and species—measured, reported, transparent.
Team
Resilience:
Nature-based challenges that rebuild purpose, empathy and decision-making under pressure.
Community Outreach:
Talks and workshops that bring veterinarians closer to compassionate, evidence-based care.
National Awareness:
Stories and media that inspire the profession and attract future veterinary talent.
Ankuara
Expedition
Founder
Luis Marquez, Founder of the Ankuara Expedition and General Manager of SuncoastVet, believes that the best veterinary teams, healthiest animals, and most resilient people are shaped where nature, purpose, and connection meet. Over his career, Luis has seen the emotional challenges veterinary professionals face: long hours, silent grief, and the constant responsibility of caring for animals who cannot speak for themselves. He created Ankuara in response to these challenges. Instead of offering an escape, Ankuara brings people back to wild places that remind us why we care about animals. Through the Ankuara Expedition, he brings veterinary professionals into wildlife conservation settings, where endangered species struggle to survive, and ecosystems rely on human care. These experiences reflect the emotional journey of veterinary medicine and offer space for reflection, growth, and renewal.
Stronger teams and
true resilience arise
where
nature + purpose
+ connection
converge
Ankuara
2025
Where people grow, clinics grow
Ankuara reminded us that care begins with the carers. In the rainforest and in community work, the team rebuilt confidence, empathy, and purpose—proof that when people grow stronger together, clinics follow.
Team
2025
Bianca
Veterinary
Nurse/Operations
Manager
SuncoastVet
Dr Elle
Veterinarian
SuncoastVet Buderim
Claire
Self-funded
participant
Ankuara 2025
“This expedition reignited my passion and reaffirmed the importance of international partnerships in advancing veterinary science. It is programs like this—immersive, collaborative, and deeply meaningful—that shape future leaders in animal health”.
GALLERY / STORY
Ankuara
2026
Walk with us
Three SuncoastVet professionals step forward to take on a purpose-driven journey across Colombia’s wild regions.
Itinerary & How It Works
Three SuncoastVet professionals step forward to take on a purpose-driven journey across Colombia’s wild regions.
Phase 1
Preparation
Safety, fitness and cultural briefings; conservation partners aligned; goals defined.
Phase 2
Fieldwork
Multi-day trekking and river routes; visits to conservation centres; hands-on learning with local experts; daily reflections captured in photo/video.
Phase 3
Return & Share
Debriefs for teams and clients, open talks, and a public impact report so anyone can see what changed—and why it matters.
Every donation fuels conservation work, training and the storytelling that carries lessons back to clinics across Australia.
Winners
SuncoastVet
Ankuara
Stronger people, stronger clinics.
Meet the 2026 team selected to carry Ankuara forward—professionals who embody purpose, resilience, and service. Their journey turns field learning into better decisions back at the clinic and within the community.
Ashley
Customer Care Concierge.
SuncoastVet Buderim
Dr Violet
Veterinarian
SuncoastVet Nambour
Dr Ruhan
Veterinarian
SuncoastVet Landsborough
Sponsors Ankuara 2026
Images by Luis Márquez
© 2026 All rights Reserved / By Péscalo