Blog Post by Dr. Mark Laidre, Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at Dartmouth College Few things are more fascinating to layperson and scientist alike than animal behavior. For some, this simple fascination can ultimately fuel a lifelong passion for discovering why animals do what they do. Perhaps no better example is the Nobel Prize-winning biologist Karl von Frisch, who, as one of the founding fathers of animal behavior, spent decades studying the social behavior of bees. It may at first seem puzzling how someone could devote such prolonged study...

Blog Post by Hector Zumbado-Ulate, Alvaro Ugalde Scholarship Awardee My name is Hector Zumbado-Ulate and I’m one of the awardees of Osa Conservation's Alvaro Ugalde Scholarship. Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology at Purdue University. Since I started my studies in biology, I felt very attached to amphibian conservation projects, especially those helping species which are currently endangered by anthropogenic causes. For that reason, I wanted to work with the critically endangered Golfito robber frog. Specifically, I want to examine why this species persists...

Blog Post by Monica Espinoza, Marine Conservation Scientist The Térraba-Sierpe Wetland presents the most productive and biodiverse mangrove ecosystem in the South Pacific of Costa Rica. However, not everyone knows the importance of this habitat in our day to day life. For this reason, we decided to celebrate World Mangrove Day with the School of Ajuntaderas, Sierpe. Our special guests were the children of this community who learned about the importance of mangroves, fire prevention and waste management. It is important to recognize that boys and girls are carriers of...

Blog by Juan Carlos Cruz Díaz, Feline Program Coordinator It’s 5:30 am and the sun is rising above the Dry Forest of Guanacaste in northern Costa Rica. Researchers in Naranjo beach in Santa Rosa National Park in Guanacaste Conservation Area are getting ready to survey the beach. They walk along the shore looking for evidence of the presence of jaguars. Unlike in the Osa, at this beach it is common to encounter tracks left by jaguars who patrol the beach looking for prey. [caption id="attachment_11597" align="aligncenter" width="313"] Jaguar tracks along...

Blog Post by Hilary Brumberg, River Health Program Coordinator It was a windy fall day when I joined a group of budding field researchers and nature enthusiasts to visit the Rocky Mountain National Park for the first time. As we hiked the trails, I was in constant awe of the breathtaking front-range views and the abundant wildlife, ranging from elk to butterflies to marmots to hummingbirds. But it wasn’t just the wildlife that left an impression on me. As I was browsing the gift shop before leaving, I happened upon a...

Blog Post by Luis Carlos Solis, Mangrove Restoration Coordinator The Térraba Sierpe National Wetland encompasses the largest mangrove forest in Costa Rica with an area greater than 16,000 hectares which, due to its biological importance, was declared of international importance by the International Convention on Ramsar Wetlands. In this protected area, mangrove resources have been used since pre-Columbian times when indigenous communities extracted dye from the bark of the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) to dye their clothing. [caption id="attachment_11539" align="aligncenter" width="640"] A section of land cleared of invasive ferns[/caption] Currently, the...

Blog post by Mónica Espinoza Miralles, Marine Conservation Scientist For those passionate about the underwater world it is amazing to see how extraordinarily different the seas are around the world. This was the case for us:  Noelia Hernández, an oceanographer from Spain and Osa Conservation's new Marine Program Coordinator, and myself, Mónica Espinoza, a marine biologist from Costa Rica and Osa Conservation's new Marine Conservation Scientist. We had the opportunity to meet for the first time at Saladero Ecolodge, and from that moment, we realized that we both have...

Blog Post and Photos by Patrick Newcombe Osa Conservation’s landscape is a mosaic of terrestrial habitats including grasslands, palm forests, reforested areas, secondary and primary forests, as well as aquatic habitats such as a ponds, rivers, lagoons and ocean. Elevation ranges from sea level to 1,083 feet (330 meters). This habitat and elevation range result in phenomenal bird diversity and illustrate the importance of the habitat conservation and restoration occurring at Osa Conservation. June 25 was the first Big Day at Osa Conservation! In birding circles, a Big Day is...