Discover the rainforests of Costa Rica and assist in the protection of the elusive and endangered Jaguar. Conduct surveys and set up remote cameras, gathering data for use in a long-term wildlife conservation effort along Central America’s Caribbean coast. Develop new skills and an in-depth understanding of the rainforest and its ecosystem on this unique tropical adventure.
The program focuses on:
- Jaguar feeding behavior and population studies; surveys will include a weekly 15 mile walk on the beach to monitor the levels of marine turtle predation. There is more activity during Turtle nesting season (March-October), but the program runs all year
- They use camera traps to identify individual jaguars present in the Jalova area and their feeding behaviors in relation to marine turtles – we have also helped publish a research paper on the Jaguars which you can find at the following link- http://www.scribd.com/doc/241514236/Arroyo-Arce-Et-Al-2014-Habitat-Features-Influencing-Jaguar-Occupancy-TNP
- We are also collecting Jaguar scats (faeces) for feeding and genetic studies.
- Volunteers will also take part in some of the other surveys carried out on base; this is dependent on the time of the year; but may include marine turtle, canal/shore bird, spider monkey or amphibian monitoring, or general biodiversity/incidental sighting surveys, but will have priority in the Jaguar surveys
