Saving Shells

Author

by Janine Licare, Founder and Spokesperson KSTR

The art of shell collecting dates back thousands of years.  Over time, shells have been used as currency, treasures and game pieces to different civilizations. In present times, shell collecting has led to the birth of conchologists, malacologists, among other words rarely used in the English language. The OCD reaction some might have towards picking up shells and storing them on their balcony or in vases in their living room is leading to a shortage in adequate sized homes for small sea creatures. Shells provide shelter to invertebrate animals with no mechanism of protection or self-defense.  Every so often these creatures trade homes depending on how fast they out-grow their current homes. Those beautiful shells you keep on your shelves are actually the dead carcasses of sea creatures. When clams, oysters, starfish and mollusks die, their shells wash up on the beach with the tides and are taken as a shelter to those who do not have the mechanisms to create them themselves.

The art of shell collecting and the mortgage crisis in the US are two very distinct events that don’t run too far from home. They share more similarities than Palin and McCain and resemble an issue neither one of them could solve. The economic crisis that has been affecting millions of families in the US for the past year, causing people to lose their homes, is just as much an issue for hermit crabs and similar creatures.  It has been suggested that hermit crabs are on the verge of becoming in danger of extinction due to the destruction and loss of their habitats, stemmed by shell collectors and the loss of their homes. Shells are made by the excretion of calcium around the animal. Almost all genera of hermit crabs use or “wear” empty marine gastropod shells throughout their lifespan in order to have a strong shell to withdraw into if attacked by a predator. Each individual hermit crab is forced to find another gastropod shell on a regular basis; whenever it grows too large for the one it is currently using. Since suitable intact gastropod shells are a limited resource, there is frequently a heavy competition among hermit crabs for the best available shells. The availability of empty shells depends on the relative abundance of gastropods in the right range of sizes, as well as the frequency with which shells are collected by humans in the region.

Shells are indispensable to the survival of certain species because most species of hermit crabs have long soft abdomens which naturally have no form of self-protection. They obtain protection by the adaptation of carrying around a salvaged empty seashell into which the whole crab’s body can retract. As the hermit crab grows in size, it has to find a larger shell and abandon the previous one. The shells used by hermit crabs originally come from mollusks which possess a fleshy mantle. They use this mantle to produce a shell by absorbing sodium carbonate and other ingredients from their habitat and food and secreting it in an orderly fashion to form a shell house.  It is not terrible to collect shells, just do it in moderation.  More and more shells are created as new animals are created to be used as protection, but nonetheless, you never know if the shell you pick up today could have been the perfect home for another creature tomorrow.

For further information log on website :
http://www.quepolandia.com/saving-shells/#more-48

Some things you may not have known about Sloths

Author

by María Pía Martín, DVM

The sloths are part of the Xenartha order which also includes anteaters and armadillos. This bizarre order is only found in Central and South America. They are different from all other animals in that they have an unusual lower back vertebrae and two vena cava (returns blood to the heart, the other mammals have only one).

Evolution

They are some of the most ancient mammals and have been on Earth for more than 60 million years ago. For example, they are so primitive that their reproductive and digestive tract open into a single chamber called cloaca, like birds and reptiles.

At the beginning, the Megatherium were 6 meters (20 feet) tall giant ground sloths.

Body

Sloths are mostly folivores (leaf-eaters). They have ten teeth on the upper jaw and eight on the lower jaw.

Sloths break down cellulose through a process of bacterial fermentation like deer, cows, howler monkeys, and manatees. A leaf diet poses another problem for sloths, such as low energy, and this requires a very large stomach (almost a third of body weight), yet sloths must stay light enough to move along tree branches without breaking them.

Sloths have another peculiar skeletal feature. While almost all other mammals consistently have seven neck vertebrae, two toed sloths have six to eight and three toed sloths have eight or nine. So sloths are able to rotate their heads an impressive 180°.

They have unusually low body temperatures and metabolic rates (24-33°C or 77-96°F) which burn less energy.

With their laziness they can spend up to 20 hours motionless, and most of it sleeping. Some scientists believe that by moving so slowly they avoid their biggest predators (eagle and jaguar).

Their hair is unique. It has corrugations and cracks that encourage the growth of algae and through a symbiotic relationship, the algae gains shelter and the sloth camouflage.

Senses

Their sense of sight and hearing is poor and it seems that their most effective is smell.

Behavior

They are middle size mammals, strictly arboreal, and spend most of their time hanging from the branches of trees; they even sleep, give birth and carry their young like this.

They are very clumsy on land but are great swimmers.

Sloths defecate once a week and this is the only time they come down to the floor.

The two species found in Costa Rica are the two toed and three toed sloth, but don’t let the name fool you, all sloths have three toes! The difference is in the fingers of their hands!

Three toed sloths have a mask in their face, are grayish in color with a black stripe in their back, while two toed sloths have a lighter brown and uniform color.

For further information log on website :
http://www.quepolandia.com/some-things-you-may-not-have-known-about-sloths/#more-409

The Tale of a Titi Monkey

Author

By Pia Martin, DVM

Right after his surgery

Titi monkeys (saimiri oerstedii citrinellus) are small but very intelligent and dexterous.  They are unique to the Manuel Antonio area.

Last august, some kids were visiting Playa El Rey in the National Park and found a very young monkey on the ground, he was hurt and couldn’t move. They felt sorry for the little guy and carefully picked him up and put him in a box. They took him to MINAET not knowing what else to do. MINAET brought him to us. The little titi was about 6 months old and had a very serious fracture in his arm and another in his clavicle. He could have fallen from a very tall tree just when he was learning to move on his own.

These kids saved his life; he would have been eaten by a predator or would have died alone of hunger.

We admitted him into the KSTR Rescue Clinic and started hydrating him and giving him medicine for the pain. He quickly recovered his natural disposition and was a very energetic young boy! We decided that his best chance for survival and a successful release would be to do surgery on him. We needed to place 2 intra medullar pins (as thick as a match) inside his humerus (upper arm) with some very sophisticated equipment and the help of the orthopedist veterinarian, Randall Arguedas. Randall came all the way from San José just to help!

The surgery was a success! The bones were aligned and we tried to monkey-proof his arm so that he wouldn’t be curious and touch any pins or suture material! We wrapped it and placed him in a special cage so that he would recover from the surgery and rest.

Our main concern was that he would get too stressed in captivity, due to missing his family, his forest and his liberty; so we decorated that cage with branches, leaves, a hiding box, a dish with water, another one with really nice food and several worms. We needed to give him his medicines and clean the wound daily, but otherwise he needed to stay calm, eat, and heal.

Just prior to his release.

It took 2 months for the bones to heal, but when they did they were perfect! We very carefully removed both pins and started giving him physical therapy. Slowly he started moving his arm again, every day gaining more confidence. As he exercised it he developed his muscles again and he started climbing more and more.

It took another 2 months but his ability to move through branches and trees was enormous. He was ready to be released!

It was a Saturday morning when the MINAET wildlife expert took him back to the rainforest. First, we needed to find his troop. Each troop has their own unique call (like a language) and they have a good sense of smell and memory. When we found the troop, our little guy seemed nervous but as soon as he heard his mates call he responded! They all became very curious as to where the call was coming from. They got closer and the titi was eager to leave. We opened the carrier’s door and out he went! He looked back for a second and then scampered off with his troop!

For further information log on website :
http://www.quepolandia.com/the-tale-of-a-titi-monkey/#more-1126

The new KSTR Tour

My name is Trevor. I am a volunteer animal rehabilitator working with Kid’s Saving the Rainforest’s veterinarian, Pia, performing rescue, rehab and release techniques for the many sick, abandoned or injured animals that come into the clinic everyday. More recently however, I’ve also taken on the title ‘tour-guide’. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, Kid’s Saving the Rain Forest now has a tour! I know what you’re thinking, “Oh, great, another tour in Quepos/Manuel Antonio…”. Well I’m here to tell you that this tour is a little different than the average tour you might find around here.

The new Kid’s Saving the Rainforest tour is three years in the making, thanks in part to our very generous donors and our extremely talented and motivated volunteers…joking. What I’m not joking about is the fact that this tour is different from most of the other tours that are in the area. The Kid’s Saving the Rainforest tour offers something for everyone. It offers donors a chance to get a behind the scenes look at how their money is helping save injured animals with a glimpse into the work performed at the clinic (via a slide show) and a chance to see the new KSTR animal sanctuary, organic garden and organic farm. Some of you might be saying to yourself, “I’m not a donor, can I still come on the tour?”, and the answer to that question is…OF COURSE!! 100% of the proceeds of this tour go to funding projects like our rehab clinic, our sanctuary and monkey bridge projects. That makes you a donor and, this is the term I like to use, a guardian of the rainforest.

The tour itself consists of a presentation at the Mono Azul Hotel, where the KSTR headquarters is located. During this presentation we will take you behind the scenes of the rehab clinic, highlighting the animals we currently have at the clinic and how we are helping to rehabilitate them. We will also discuss other projects that KSTR has going on that help save the rainforest. After this presentation, if you choose, you can make a piece of jewelry, a postcard, or bookmark that we will then sell in the KSTR store, from which all proceeds go to protecting the rainforest. Then it’s off to the sanctuary! It is just a 20 minute drive from the Mono Azul to the beautiful property of the Blue Banyan Inn. Once at the sanctuary you will come face to face with over 20 primates that have been rescued and rehabbed, but that can no longer be released into the wild. After the sanctuary we go on a little stroll through the organic garden and farm where we can pick fresh herbs, spices and fruits.

If you are still thinking to yourself, “How is this tour different?”, let me sum it up for you…this tour does not make a profit! All of the proceeds of this tour go right back into projects that help save the rainforest.  You’ll probably learn something and you might just have a good time doing it…

To book a tour, contact the Mono Azul Hotel at 2777-2572 or 2777-1548 or email: Janine@kidssavingtherainforest.org

For further information log on website :
http://www.quepolandia.com/the-new-kstr-tour/#more-1414

Rainforest Facts

Did you know that…

Rainforests are primarily defined by two factors: where they are found on the earth and the amount of rainfall they receive. Rainforests are typically found in tropical locations and receive from 160-315 inches of rain per year.

There are 3.4 million square miles of tropical forest around the equator.

While rainforests cover only 2% of the Earth’s surface or 6% of its landmass, they house over ½ of the plant and animal species on Earth.

Costa Rican rainforests contain:

850 kinds of birds

100 species of dragonflies

729 types of butterflies

205 kinds of mammals

10,000 different varieties of plants

There are at least 3000 types of fruits in the rainforest including: avocados, coconuts, figs, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, guavas, pineapples, mangos, and tomatoes.

Vegetables include: corn, potatoes, rice, winter squash, yams · Spices include: black pepper, cayenne, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, sugar cane, turmeric, coffee, and vanilla.

The US National Cancer Institute has identified 3000 plants that are active against cancer cells. 70% of these plants are found in the rainforest.

Despite these benefits…

Rainforests are being destroyed at a staggering rate. According to the National Academy of Science, at least 50 million acres a year are lost, an area the size of England, Wales, and Scotland combined.

An average of 137 species of life forms are driven into extinction every day in the world’s tropical rainforests due to things such as logging and cattle ranching which are destroying the trees and the animals’ homes.

On average, rainforest destruction includes:

64 acres/minute · 3,800 acres/hour · 93,000 acres/day

2,800,000 acres/month

33,800,000 acres/year

KSTR is trying to help stop the destruction.  You can help us to do so!  Stop by our store adjacent to the Hotel Mono Azul and do your souvenir shopping while helping to save the rainforest.  100 % of the proceeds go to save the rainforest!

For further information log on website :
http://www.quepolandia.com/rainforest-facts/#more-1511

The Monkey Bridges Are Up Again!

Author

By Adriana Quesada, Manager of KSTR

As most of you know, a huge storm hit the Manuel Antonio and Quepos area in June, downing thousands of trees and branches, which in turn destroyed numerous monkey bridges.

The KSTR Monkey Bridge Crew went out several times to evaluate the damages, and found that a total of 32 bridges were affected by the storm, some of them partially damaged and many of them completely destroyed.

KSTR was forced to ask for help from the community for the first time since 2001, due to the magnitude of the damage. The total cost to fix and replace the bridges was estimated to be about $2000.  It was very important to put the bridges back up as soon as possible, because the monkeys were dying where bridges were missing.

ICE helped by giving a crew and 2 cherry pickers to work on the bridges with the KSTR team.   All of the bridges were replaced and new ones put up where other trees had come down.

It was then discovered that more bridges were needed on personal property where many trees fell and the monkeys could no longer pass in the canopy. So more bridges were needed and more funds.  Thanks to a Press Release put out by donor, Byblos Resort and Casino, the rest of the money was raised.

Kimberly Barron, Director of Marketing for Hotel Byblos Resort & Casino wrote “To ensure the survival of the critically endangered squirrel monkey species, bridges have to be replaced, and new locations investigated and erected due to the storm.”

Kimberly also stated “This is not just a feel good donation; these monkeys are one of the main attractions for tourism in our area. Local Manuel Antonio hotels and tourism operations that depend on National and International visitors cannot afford to ignore this calamity. It’s a win-win donation as far as we are concerned.”

The bridges have been a huge part of the success of Squirrel Monkeys’ population increase and without them there would be many more electrocutions and deaths.

We want to thank the following businesses and people who have helped:

1) Byblos Resort and Casino www.bybloshotelcostarica.com

2) Hotel Mono Azul & Rainforest Restaurant www.monoazul.com

3) Titi Conservation Alliance www.monotiti.org

4) Casa de Frutas – Dave Houck www.casadefrutas.com

5) Blake Vojta

6) Scott Wollin

7) Rick Kendle

8) Brian and Mary Kendle

9) Thomas Joseph Farrell

10) Linda Riden

11) Charlie Strehlo

12) Marcos Pabon

13) Adam Morse

The above donations were received as of the time of publication.  If you donated later, thank you as well!

If you are able to make a donation to help with the monkey bridge project, or with any other KSTR project, please go to www.kidssavingtherainforest.org and click on donations and adoptions.  The Rainforest thanks you!

For further information log on website :
http://www.quepolandia.com/the-monkey-bridges-are-up-again/#more-1602

KSTR Sustainability Project

Author

Chicks and Rachel

By Volunteer Rachel Melvin 

Kids Saving the Rainforest is focused on preserving and protecting the local wildlife.  This mission includes housing a wildlife sanctuary on the grounds of the Blue Banyan Inn on the property that is called “the finca”. The sanctuary currently houses 29 monkeys plus a crab eating raccoon. Feeding them, as well as the volunteers that care for them, and BBI’s numerous guests can take an extraordinary amount of food.

KSTR strives to implement a more sustainable operation on the Finca and our next venture in this arena is creating a sustainable egg supply to feed monkeys, volunteers, and guests.

This journey began with the construction of a chicken coop, quickly named Casa de Pollo by the volunteers. Mono Azul employees and their three volunteer helpers built the coop. The roomy coop was sided with wire mesh and fencing to protect against predators but still allow a breeze to pass through and roofed to protect against the sun. These are important factors in a tropical climate as over-heated hens do not produce well.  The floor was left open except for an elevated platform housing the individual nest boxes for the hens to roost at night and hopefully for the volunteers to gather eggs from in the morning. The floor will soon be lined with concrete to facilitate easy cleaning and protect from burrowing predators (after eggs or hens). Even though the Mono Azul boys probably feared for their lives at times because of leaving the tools in the hands of us Gringa girls, the construction was completed with no mishaps and few injuries (mostly just bruised thumbs from hammering).

The next step was to secure a laying population, which was started with three baby chicks soon dubbed Suzie, Rachel, and Jenny (after the volunteers present on their arrival). As the sex of the chicks is incredibly hard to determine at such young age, this was more of a fun pet project for the volunteers, of which I was an avid campaigner, having never seen or held a baby chick before. The three chicks will soon be grown to 23 with the addition of 20 confirmed laying hens.

On their arrival the chicks were placed in their new home for the next six weeks, a large cardboard box. The box was lined with newspaper and shredded paper to act as bedding and a large continuous feeder and water were placed in the box. At night a ceramic heat lamp was added to make sure the chicks stayed a balmy 100 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the night so all their energy was focused on growing and not staying warm. Each day the chicks were taken out into the yard to explore and try different foods, including small rocks also known as grit, which is essential for their diet to facilitate digestion in their gizzard (the muscular gizzard and the grit essential grind the feed aiding the gastric juices to digest the food). The chicks were well cared for and happy. They loved each other’s company and became distressed when separated for daily cleaning. Research says they will continue to prefer each others company over other chickens as they grow up together and I, for one, am very excited to test this theory when they are placed in the coop with the other hens.

For weeks we watched them grow and change, Suzie was the largest chick at the beginning named after our 6-foot tall volunteer! As the weeks passed her companions soon surpassed her, with Jenny current holding the title of Gordito. Recently our little balls of fluff have entered a new stage of development. The very awkward stage we have deemed the teenage years due to their awkward and gawky appearances, have grown their adult white feathers and lost their yellow fuzz around their bodies. They are on their way to adulthood but still retain their small and yellow head, looking like 2 halves of different chickens. They are about 4 weeks old at the moment and still growing quickly. Having gotten too big to pick up and hold easily, reality is setting in that I will soon have to transfer my baby chicks to their new coop and only see them during a daily egg collection. But I’m proud that they will help KSTR on its mission to become more sustainable and feed the Finca.

For further information log on website :
http://www.quepolandia.com/kstr-sustainability-project/#more-3370

Kids Saving The Rainforest Monkey Bridges

Author

Monkeys Crossing a Bridge

By Jennifer Rice PhD

In the year 2000, a group called Amigos Del Monos came to Kids Saving the Rainforest (KSTR) and told us that they could not get ICE, (the Electric Company), to help them put up monkey bridges. They felt that KSTR could get their attention. 

Luckily we were able to do so and the KSTR Monkey Bridge Program was started. Here is what most people want to know when learning about our bridges. 

• KSTR works with ICE & our KSTR Monkey Bridge team; Rocio, Lenin, and Tio.
• To date we have put up over 170 bridges & maintained them on a monthly basis.
• Currently there are 130 functioning monkey bridges.
• The others have come down because of development and loss of monkey habitat.
• We put up a bridge wherever there is a need for one, where a monkey has been electrocuted or hit.
• They are used to keep monkeys away from live wires and from getting hit by cars.
• We make sure the branches of trees don’t grow into live wires near bridges.
• Where troops can’t reach other troops for breeding, we put bridges.
• The rope for the bridges is very costly and each bridge costs $100 to put up!
• The Titi monkey has been on the critically endangered UN list since 1997.
• All of this subspecies live in our area.
• At the last official count there were estimated to be only 1200 of this subspecies left in the world.
• Our unofficial data by Lenin Roseles states that we now have over 3000 Titis!
• We are going to be doing an official count as soon as possible.
• KSTR is very grateful to have helped make saving this species possible.
• Please support our monkey bridge program by adopting a bridge.
• If you want a bridge, please go to adopt a bridge at: www.kidssavingtherainforest.org. 

Thanks so much for reading this article and please contact us if you want more information. You can also visit our Souvenir Store where 100% of the proceeds go to save the rainforest. It is located at the Hotel Mono Azul in Manuel Antonio.

For further information log on website :
http://www.quepolandia.com/kids-saving-the-rainforest-monkey-bridges/#more-3917

How You Can Be Green and Contribute to a Healthier Planet!

Below we have listed some ideas to help you be environmentally aware.

When cooling your house keep the following in mind: 

• A ceiling fan uses a lot less energy than air conditioners.
• When you have to use the air conditioner, remember to keep your thermostat at 80 to 82 degrees to save energy.
• Keep your ceiling fan on when you have the air conditioner on, it will improve you’re air conditioner’s efficiency.
• Be sure all doors and windows are closed when using the air, and curtains closed when the sun is coming through the windows, as the sun will heat up the room.
• Seal all air leaks in your rooms so the cold air won’t escape.
• There is great news about the Old Wife’s tale that it uses more energy to turn lights on and off than to leave them on.  That is what it is, just an Old Wife’s tale, it is not true!  If you are going to be out of the room for more than a minute you should turn them off.
• As most of you already know, use energy efficient light bulbs.  They are great for saving energy and helping reduce energy usage. 

Here are some tips for your garden and on your property: 

• In the garden, or anywhere on your property, be sure to use native plants.  Native animals depend on the plants and trees that they have evolved with for food and shelter.  Local animals find little attraction in imported trees and plants.
• Native plants and trees will not only attract birds, butterflies, and monkeys but will also save the time and expense of daily watering.  Growing indigenous plants and trees can save 50% of the water typically used to maintain outdoor plants.
• Put mulch around plants, it can cut the amount of water lost through evaporation by up to 70%.  It also limits weed growth and can improve soil conditions.
• Growing plants and trees will not only lower greenhouse gas emissions and provide habitats for wildlife, but it will also lower home energy costs. 
• Trees with high canopies will provide shade for your house, keeping your house cooler. 
• Make sure your air conditioning unit is in the shade. 
• Even small plants can help cool your home, through the evaporative process called transpiration. 
• You can enjoy significant yearly savings in home cooling costs by landscaping wisely. 

Remember that KSTR has a souvenir store where 100% of the proceeds go to save the rainforest.  Please help us by shopping in our store and you will gain by helping to save the rainforest.  (If you look for our ad in Quepolandia you can have a 10% discount so you will really win!)  Our shop has some of the best prices in the area, so come on in and compare us!

We are located one mile from Quepos heading to the Manuel Antonio National Park on the right hand side, adjacent to Hotel Mono Azul.  We are open from 7 AM until 10 PM daily!  For more information, call 2777-2592. 

*Thanks to True Green, 100 Everyday Ways You Can Contribute to a Healthier Planet by Kim McKay & Jenny Boonin Published by National Geographic Society 2006, for the information provided in this article.

For further information log on website :
http://www.quepolandia.com/how-you-can-be-green-and-contribute-to-a-healthier-planet/#more-4172