VOLUME 13, NO. 1     DEC 1999

Protecting pumas and parrots in the Costa Rican rain forest

Editor's Note: Twenty-nine students in eight Interactive Qualifying Project teams spent part of the summer at WPI's Costa Rica Project Center completing studies for manufacturers, international companies, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and other sponsors. For their IQP, juniors Erin Convery, Jami Ricard and Nicole Buote worked with the Rain Forest Aerial Tram to investigate the feasibility of establishing a rehabilitation program for injured or illegally captured wildlife. Convery and Ricard are biology majors; Buote is completing her third year in WPI's joint B.S./D.V.M. program. All three women plan to become veterinarians. Erin and Nicole recently shared their experiences in Costa Rica with The Wire.

The Rain Forest Aerial Tram is interested in developing a first-class rehabilitation center for the jaguars, ocelots, pumas, macaws, Amazon parrots, toucans, white-faced capuchins and other wildlife that live on the northern edge of the Barulio Carillo National Park. The facility, which would include a research center for scientists and students, would focus on increasing wild populations of the country's endangered species, rehabilitating previously domesticated wild animals, and educating the public on conservation issues such as deforestation and the illegal pet trade.

"Costa Rica, a thriving, modern industrialized nation, is a land of contrasts," says Susan Vernon-Gerstenfeld, director of the Costa Rica and Puerto Rico Project Centers. "Students who choose to do their IQPs in Costa Rica have the opportunity to become immersed in a culture where democracy, economic development and concern for the environment are a permanent part of the landscape."

"Our first impressions of the country were very different," Erin and Nicole say. Nicole's plane landed in the afternoon. "San Josˇ is nestled in the foothills of the majestic Costa Rican mountain range," she says. "I was amazed at the contrast between the bustling city and the natural mountain scenery." Erin arrived 12 hours later. "The first thing I noticed when I got off the plane was how intense the humidity and heat was," she recalls. "San Josˇ seemed extremely large and difficult to navigate. People were everywhere, and with the city in darkness, every street looked like the one before."

They continue the story together. "The first week was intense as we learned the language and figured out how to get around the city. We discovered that Costa Ricans were more than willing to try to converse with us if we at least attempted to speak Spanish. The food was delicious, but quite different from what we were used to. Ticos, the local Costa Ricans, typically eat casasda, a dish that consists of chicken, white rice, black beans, plantains and salad. The plantains were surprisingly sweet and thick, with a different taste than bananas, which they resemble. Salads were made up of cabbage, carrots and sometimes beets in a vinegar dressing.

"The city is organized systematically-- at least in theory. Because many streets do not have signs, taxi drivers understand addresses in terms of the nearest landmark. Ticos seemed mystified when we showed them a map and asked for directions; they found it odd to look at their city on a piece of paper.

"Our project was exciting. Most of the rehabilitation centers we visited seemed more like retirement homes for animals, which could include anything from an orphaned ocelot, (like the one we saw at Las Pumas) to an injured sloth or baby deer. The facilities were usually operated by people with no formal training, but with a great deal of interest in wildlife. The animals were often kept in homemade wire mesh or chain-link cages. The better facilities had veterinarians on call, but most had no vets on staff.

"Our project enabled us to meet the people who operate the rescue centers and to see some of the beautiful countryside that most visitors miss. Most of the centers we visited were in remote areas, where the towns seemed small and underdeveloped. In the little villages of the coffee plantations, we came to appreciate the simple way of life of the people who live and work there.

"On a trip to the Centro de Rescate las Finca, a rehabilitation center in Alejula, we four-wheeled down a dirt path punctuated by large rocks. At one point our Toyota Tercel had to be pushed out of a deep rut. We completed our interview and made it home before the afternoon rain stranded us in the middle of nowhere.

"We also traveled to Permiso Cautiverio de Jaguares, a jaguar rescue center, where we had an incredible opportunity to pet and play with a friendly, declawed jaguar named Samba. Hand-raised, she is kept in a large cage because she loves to play and doesn't realize how strong she is. Interacting with such a gorgeous animal was a memory both of us will have for a long time.

"After a few weeks in the country we adjusted to the climate and even got used to the torrential downpours that appeared like clockwork every day at noon. The city became more familiar and we enjoyed many weekend trips to both coasts, where we saw beautiful beaches, volcanoes, rainforests and waterfalls.

"Everywhere we went we enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of the people of Costa Rica. They were all willing to help and interested in hearing about our adventures--even if we communicated in broken Spanish and our own versions of charades. It wasn't long before we felt at home; we will miss this beautiful country and its people."