Deep in the Costa Rican rainforests, where howler monkeys and pumas roam, conservationists are working alongside travellers on new citizen science projects, introducing hi-tech processes to safeguard biodiversity.
I never thought I’d find myself playing grandmother’s footsteps with a puma. After a morning fruitlessly searching the trails surrounding SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge for big cats, we’ve returned to the lodge where head guide Mario Chavarria Fuentes has dropped a bombshell — a male puma was just seen outside guest villa number seven.
Recently, a guide encountered an incredibly rare harpy eagle. Over a single night, a trail camera has captured videos of an ocelot, a puma and a jaguar passing through the lodge’s 188 acres of primary rainforest. It sounds like the start of an improbable joke, but there’s nothing laughable about the bewildering array of wildlife crammed into the lodge’s private reserve and Corcovado National Park, just a little over a mile away.
The noises of this rainforest, known by scientists as ecosystem soundscapes, are increasingly becoming an important means of diagnosing their health. The research group Crowther Lab has recorded them across Costa Rica, showing how human-damaged ecosystems are quieter, as well as how conservation can help restore many to their natural, cacophonous states.
Our destination is Isla del Caño, an island and biological reserve whose waters teem with life. Armed with a snorkel, I join the underwater party, watching as bicolour parrotfish dressed to impress in electric blue and phosphorescent purple dance past. Up next, a school of silvery almaco jacks with David Bowie-like streaks across their left eye spiral towards me, offering an invitation to join their choreographed routine.
Back on land, I take the trail to the San Pedrillo entrance of Corcovado National Park. Crossing into this protected area is mostly symbolic — after all, humans care far more for borders than other animals. Mud underfoot give a tantalising insight into the vast array of creatures who have passed through here, while flashes of shimmering blue signal morpho butterflies ahead.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New deep-sea worm discovered off Costa Rica’s methane seepsMarine biologist Greg Rouse and his team unravel the secrets of this sinuously swimming creature, adding to the 48 new species found in these unique ecosystems.
Read more »
Puerto Rico’s museums are exhibiting Afro Puerto Rican artBlack art is currently on prominent display in Puerto Rico’s San Juan neighborhood of Santurce.
Read more »
Honorees announced for 67th annual National Puerto Rican Day ParadeABC7 is your home for the 67th National Puerto Rican Day Parade. Special coverage begins at noon on Sunday, June 9.
Read more »
Watch: Kamala Harris Claps Along to Puerto Rican Protest Song Before Realizing It’s About HerSource of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »
Andréa Agosto talks Afro-Puerto Rican identity and representation in upcoming playActor, teacher and director Andréa Agosto shares her family’s roots in Puerto Rico and their connection in an upcoming play “Notes on Killing Seven Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Board Members” at Diversionary Theatre.
Read more »
U.S. Coast Guard rescues Florida man from life raft off Puerto Rican coastA U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew airlifted a Florida man from a life raft off Puerto Rico and flew him to safety this weekend after he had fled his boat from fear that the larger vessel would capsize.
Read more »