Save the Amazon: Protect Jaguars and Wildlife

Dear Supporters,

With the Turtle and Jaguar projects in full swing these past three months, our daily routine has consisted of turtle night and morning patrols alongside weekly long-distance jaguar partols. This means that collectively we have walked approximately 800 miles along our beach during this time. In collaboration with the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC), we worked nearly 300 adult female green turtles and marked the location of over 100 nests on our beach. A good season for our green turtles and high numbers of volunteers with us on base meant we were able to achieve the best turtle season for us here at Jalova so far!

An excellent jaguar season was not far behind, with over 50 temporary cameras set up for our jaguar partners, Coastal Jaguar Conservation (CJC). This means we were able to collect over 100,000 videos in footage for them during this period! Granted the star of these videos was our local Black Vulture population, but the Jaguars showed their faces, leaving everyone on base excited for more! These videos could not have been collected without the support of everyone from the GVI Trust. The cameras we use can only be purchased with the help of Charitable Funds! We cannot thank all the donors and supporters enough for their support, this footage is a direct result of your continued generosity!

This beach marks the crossover point between SDG 14, life below water, and SDG 15, life on land, so we have done everything in our power in order to protect it. A key role that you, our donors and supporters, can play, is supporting our efforts to keep this place clean and healthy! The people of Jalova embarked on a mission during this quarter – to clean this beach of as much plastic as possible! The strong currents of our Carribean sea means that large quantities of plastic accumulate along our shores. So we held not one but FOUR beach cleans along our coast line, focusing on areas of large build up and areas never cleaned before to collect over 200KG of trash! The impact of a clean this large was something that left the people of Jalova in awe. No more plastic for our baby turtles to climb over, no more bottles getting stuck in the egg chambers of our nesting females, the only downside is that our work here is never done!

If the beach is not for you, never fear! The forest is alive with wildlife of all sizes, from the smallest little Tink Frog to the largest breathtaking Tapir, we’ve seen it all! We’ve witnessed Sloths tangling high up in the treetops, we’ve watched Kingfishers fish in the cool waters of our rivers and we stood in awe of Howler Monkeys as they yell into the morning as they rest in the trees right here on our base!

Living within this beautifully humid rainforest means the challenges we face are unique to our location. Technology does not live as happily as we do within this environment, so maintaining it’s upkeep is crucial for our communication and scientific data needs. The monitoring of this habitat is crucial for the survival and maintenance of the national park, which cannot be done without our bi-annual scientific reports and communications with our partners. We need your help to keep our cameras rolling and laptops buzzing!

We could not have achieved so much without the support of the GVI Trust donors and supporters! The team at Jalova is indebted to your constant generosity and will continue to adore the devotion you show us for as long as you remain by our side!

With Gratitude,

Costa Rica Conservation

Dear Supporters,

April, May and June are times of change throughout the world, when the cold winter rains bid us farewell and the reassuring hopefulness of the summer seems just around the corner. However, nowhere is this sensation of alteration better expressed than in the ever-dynamic neotropical rainforest. These changes in Jalova mean one main exciting thing to everyone here; babies! This is the time when all the mothers and fathers of the natural world are hard at work building nests out of twigs and twine or braving the beach under the gaze of the milky way. 

The yearly rains in Jalova bring change, and this is positive change for the life of Tortuguero National Park (TNP) as it means an abundance of resources. Almost as if they have evolved for millions of years to know this, the animals recognize the richness and start building nests and finding mates; meaning that the babies are on the way.

Of all the babies we’ve had on base, the Rufous-tailed hummingbirds were a highlight. The mother diligently attended the eggs and fledglings for four weeks, which is commendable, less so was her placement of the nest. It was built on a branch at head height, in the middle of a busy path through base. We had to block it off for a month and circumvent the nest through the adjacent bushes and tall grass. However, everyone’s wet socks were justified when the babies fledged, seeing the little beaks and faces for the first time was a magical experience. It wasn’t just the hummingbirds who utilized our beautiful base as their suburban heaven for their children. A Kiskadee Flycatcher pair, flamboyant birds with a taste for cacophony raised hatchlings and the lime-green iguana young found perches all over base to soak up the preciously rare sunlight.  

Most excitingly of all however, this time of year brings Tortuguero’s namesake to our beautiful beach, sea turtles! Nothing will compare with the Jurassic feeling that overcomes one when they first witness these archaic reptiles drag their ungainly bodies out of the depths and onto the sand. The starlight reflects off the surface of the Caribbean, revealing the soaking silhouette of a gentle giant. Waves break over them, like a mountain torrent over boulders. They stare up at their task, miles of empty moonlit beach, the second-hand sunlight conjuring up shapes to scare all but the hardiest. Yet they press on, knowing that their task is one of the most important in survival. Like a man on the moon, these creatures haul themselves further into this alien world in order to create the next generation. 

This time of year, the beach is transformed by the lumbering Leatherbacks turtles. They create a colossal mess while nesting, flinging sand like feral diggers. The presence of these creatures means plenty more beach time for the volunteers, who go out every night between 21:00 and 02:00 to search for nesting turtles; a once-in-a-lifetime experience. When a nesting mother is encountered certain data is gathered. This includes carapace length and width, whether she has any injuries and if the group is lucky enough to encounter her before she has laid her eggs, they are counted while she lays them. Although most nests will not hatch for the next two months, to share these intimate and expressive moments with the mother is unrivalled. 

To preserve this biological fairy-tale, funds must be raised and in order to do this we organized a 24-hour survey. This was a mammoth undertaking, as most surveys are no longer than two hours, so this one had to be completed in stages with different rotating groups of volunteers. The aim of this mission was to have at least one survey out in the national park for 24 hours. During this was two turtle night walks and a Jag Walk, which in total is nearly 40 miles on our beach. Supplemented to this extraordinary amount of distance on sand were a bird boat and an enormous forest survey, assessing over four miles of dense and coastal forest. Every single person delightedly participated, showing both commitment and exaggerating the sense of family that is generated here in Jalova. All the effort, sweat and blisters were worth-while, as thanks to everyone who selflessly donated, we managed to raise over £700!

The GVI Jalova Base is situated in one of the most relevant and vital locales in the world when it comes to the preservation of its biodiversity. The research that the field team and volunteers come together to accomplish is incomparably important to the fate of sea turtles and indeed global fauna as a whole. It all contributes to the UN’s sustainable development goals; Life on Land and Life at Sea, sea turtles being synonymous with the link between the two. What is achieved here at Jalova is nothing short of providing insight into the future of our planet and making a difference in its conservation. However, none of this would be possible without the help of people on the outside.

The continuing support of fellow conscientious humans give us hope that the future is not as bleak as the news makes it seem and it should never be understated how important every single donation is.

With Gratitude,

Costa Rica Conservation

Dear Supporters 

The first quarter here in beautiful Jalova is always full of surprises, from the sensationally beautiful breeding plumages of the dozens of rare, migratory birds we encounter at this time of year to those friendly snakes you find in your boots! Scientific research during this time is always essential to accurately assess this globally unique terroir and how the long-haul frequent flyers interact with their resident temporary neighbours.

Costa Rica is famous for its avian biodiversity, and at no other time of year is this better expressed than during the start. This is due to the large influx of migrant bird species, who fleetingly visit our small patch of paradise. They impose on us a sense of wonder with the idea of their monumental upcoming journeys and kaleidoscopic colours, and then before we’ve even arrived at a first name basis, they are out the door. This reputation among the birding world is no fluke as Costa Rica is situated along the Atlantic flyway, a vital migration route for birds. The field team here, along with the ever-inquisitive volunteers, work around the clock to monitor and assess the different species, rating them from quantitative values such as group size and sexual dimorphisms to less scientific ones like fluffiness, (granted, the latter is not encouraged to be discussed while on the survey!)

One such famous migrant, who must be clocking up those air-miles by now for a cheap holiday to Honolulu, is the Whimbrel. Every year, it makes the incredible journey from its breeding grounds in Alaska and Northern Canada down to Southern Brazil where it spends winter, a wise decision by anyone’s standards. Here in Jalova, we catch them on their two-week layover, which they spend lounging on the beach, sipping on mollusc martinis. The Whimbrel is joined during this time of year by thousands of Barn Swallows, who always look they whole-heartedly enjoy their ability to fly. Zipping over the surf, ducking through tree-trunks and diving-bombing aerodynamically to catch insects mid-air inspires any naturalist. In a single two-hour morning survey, 9000 were observed soaring through the sky, stained pink by the dawning sun, an experience which will live long in the memory of all who witnessed it. However, without proper management, this will not be around for upcoming generations.

Occurrences such as these amplify how vital this area of land is to the preservation of the natural world, as so many varied and special species call into this beach-front haven on their way to their breeding grounds. Tortuguero National Park (TNP) is a part of the crucial network of pit-stops, providing birds with a safe-haven, plentiful in resources, in which they can rest on their way from the Pantanal to Vancouver. The research occurring here brings into focus how the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals are being achieved. For these species to have a sanctuary is so essential to their life-cycles, but further research is required to fully comprehend the directions and an effective methodology for this conservation.

It takes resources and time to carry out the research to meet the standards set by the U.N. Goals (such as Life on Land) and ethical conservation.  Over 1,000 surveys were done this quarter, clocking up an impressive 4,392 volunteer hours! Included in these hours was an incredible nation-wide assessment to investigate shorebird populations organised by our partner MINAET (Ministry for the Environment in Costa Rica). Every river mouth along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is surveyed at the same time with all data going directly to MINAET, in conjunction with a shorebird research centre. This is vitally important data to collect to ensure that the protected habitats continue to support key migratory species. The species themselves cross boundaries so the research must too. Research like this would be effectively impossible without the support of people from around the world and shows what can be achieved when we come together with a shared goal.

For the non-bird enthusiasts out there, plenty of other wonders occur. From the stubborn shuffling of our tree-dwelling hairy porcupines to the stealthy stalking of the ethereal jaguar, life continues in its cyclical fashion here in Tortuguero. Being the height of the dry season (dry being used in a relatively loose sense – it is the rain-forest!)  means that food sources become scarcer. This leads to some of the more cryptic species giving us glimpses into their ambiguous lives. The sinisterly beautiful Halloween-snake made a rare appearance on our trails and some species were recorded for the first time ever in Jalova, including the Cope’s Bluntheaded snake and South American Racer! Jalova never fails to amaze and inspire and new species are constantly being recorded and put into our database, which has now been running for nearly ten years! Surprises like this are what keep conservation so exciting and engaging but it should not be forgotten that none of this would be possible without the support of people all around the world. From all of us here in Jalova, we appreciate everything and would like to point out how all contributions make a difference in preserving this world and its animals.

January, February, and March are times of great exchange here in Jalova, with avian migrations a key topic on everyone’s mind. We have spent resources investigating these patterns and intend to continue to monitor populations of all kinds of fauna throughout the year. We would like to thank every single individual who donated to this worthy cause and stress that none of this would be possible with your help. If we all work together, we are able to make a difference in this world,

With Gratitude

Costa Rica, Conservation

Dears Supporters,

This quarter has seen the base at Jalova continue to monitor these important habitats for the protection of the planet’s biodiversity. The projects here worked to conserve Aquatic bird species in a world designated RAMSAR site, whilst our more terrestrial efforts saw the team monitoring lowland humid rainforests. The last quarter also saw the close of our turtle season with over 3,000 nests recorded in the world’s second largest rookery for Green Turtles.

GVI Jalova has been working tirelessly to ensure the continued success of the flora and fauna of Tortuguero National Park. Whatever the weather our dedicated volunteers and staff will be heading out onto the trails and canals of the park, as well as patrolling the beach, protecting the beautiful haven for nesting sea turtles.

The main aim of our Canal Bird Project is to monitor the populations found using the freshwater canal system and surrounding swamp forest area in the National Park. This site is designated as a RAMSAR protected area due to its importance as a wetland area. It is also as the entrance for many migratory bird species to Costa Rica. In the last three months, we have seen an explosion in migratory birds as the main migratory season started. We have recorded 33 migrant species, six passage migrants and one casual migrant which use this valuable habitat to over winter or to stop off at during their long journey southwards.

GVI Jalova has been working tirelessly to ensure the continued success of the flora and fauna of Tortuguero National Park. Whatever the weather our dedicated volunteers and staff will be heading out onto the trails and canals of the park, as well as patrolling the beach, protecting the beautiful haven for nesting sea turtles.

The main aim of our Canal Bird Project is to monitor the populations found using the freshwater canal system and surrounding swamp forest area in the National Park. This site is designated as a RAMSAR protected area due to its importance as a wetland area. It is also as the entrance for many migratory bird species to Costa Rica. In the last three months, we have seen an explosion in migratory birds as the main migratory season started. We have recorded 33 migrant species, six passage migrants and one casual migrant which use this valuable habitat to over winter or to stop off at during their long journey southwards. 

In the forests of the National Park, our volunteers got to walk in the presence of six vulnerable or endangered species. We are fortunate that one of the rarest primate species in the world reside on our door stop and are seen frequently by all. As part of our monitoring project, we conduct monthly censuses of the population of the Central American Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) on behalf of AcTO (Ministry for the Environment and Energy, one of our many partner organisations). During one such census 61 individuals were encountered ranging from small family groups of females with their young to groups of males out foraging for fruit in the canopy. These are encouraging results for a species that are critically endangered and the evidence of breeding family groups indicates that the population is doing well and thriving in this protected area. Such a privilege for us all to see them so closely.

It isn’t just rare monkeys that we see here and help to monitor, there are five other species too that require our help to conserve. Three bird species are of concern in the area including the Endangered Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguous) and the Great Curassow (Crax rubra). These species were encountered eleven times over the last three months and these sightings not only inspire the volunteers who work hard to help us run these monitoring projects but also give us conservationists hope for the future and the knowledge that together we can achieve incredible things when it comes to protecting the world’s biodiversity.

Finally, our greatest achievement of the last three months really must have been the tireless work done with our nesting and hatching green turtles. We finished the turtle season with over 3,000 nests and spent November and December monitoring the nests looking for signs that the babies were ready to emerge and make the difficult journey to the ocean and into life beyond. As with all our experiences here we were all so privileged to have been a part of helping this endangered species survive into the next generation. A special moment was the last nest of last year which we thought had not survived an unseasonably wet and cold end to the year. When we went to investigate it, 117 green turtle hatchlings exploded out and crawled quickly to the sea, much to the relief of all us here witnessing this remarkable spectacle.

It is with great excitement that we look forward to the next three months where we plan to strengthen our bonds within the local community, address the plastic pollution washing up on the beach with regular beach cleans and continue to marvel at and monitor the wildlife that it is our responsibility to look after.

With Grattude, 

GVI Jalova

Dear Supporters, 

This quarter has seen the base at Jalova continue to work with community in both the local town of Tortuguero and to strengthen our relationship with Costa Rican universities, both critical steps in ensuring the long-term survival of this project.

GVI Jalova has been working tirelessly to ensure the continued success of the flora and fauna of Tortuguero National Park. This quarter we have not had a specific fundraiser but have continued our work surveying the species of the park. Come rain or shine intrepid volunteers and staff will be heading out onto the trails and canals of the park, as well as patrolling the beach, protecting the beautiful haven for nesting sea turtles.

However, although the work we do is important and valuable, without the support and understanding of the local communities we will never manage to make the project self-sustaining. As such, a big focus recently has been the push to help improve our impact and awareness amongst the others who call this beautiful area home.

Our environmental education program at a local high school has come to an end for the year, and thanks must be given to our two passionate and inspiring National Scholars, Gloria and Evelyn, who put in huge effort to the planning and running of our lessons.

The highlight of the whole program was the reward system planned by Evelyn, wherein the seven students who had been most engaged in the lessons were invited to spend the day at Jalova base, along with their teacher, to get a deeper understanding of the work done here at the base. The day was a great success, with the children learning about the different projects and work being done, as well as seeing the living conditions of the base and meeting the volunteers. A particular highlight was the delicious local lunch cooked up by Gloria and Evelyn. At this stage, it is the plan for the program to continue once base is up and running at the start of 2019, and that is something that we can all look forward to.

GVI Jalova is also attempting to strengthen our relationship with Costa Rican universities, with the hope being that further talented National Scholars will join us on base, and potentially gain partnerships with scientific departments within the universities. With this in mind, our Base Manager went to University of Costa Rica, the largest university in Costa Rica, to give a talk explaining what work is done on base, and potential research projects that potential scholars could take part in on base. It was a great introduction to faculty at the university, and hopefully the sign of many more exciting partnerships to come.

Further development of these relationships, and increased communication of the work being done at Jalova with local partners, is a definite focus for GVI Jalova in the future. As with any conservation program, or sustainable development program of any type, strong relationships with local partners is critical to ensuring their long-term survival and success. We will endeavour to make sure the steps taken this quarter are built upon in the months and years to come.

After these exciting and fruitful months, our goal now is to finish the year on a high. We are currently in the midst of a fundraiser and will continue putting in the hard-work surveying this beautiful national park.

Thank you to all our donors and those who continue to support our efforts here. For more information please see our page www.gvi.org/project/protect-the-caribbean-rain-forest-in-costa-rica/

With Love,

Mac and the Jalova team