Costa Rica - A Biological Paradise on the Osa Peninsular

I have been working on Frontiers Big Cat, Primates and Turtle Conservation programme for just under three weeks now and as a Conservation Biologist it has been an incredible experience.

It is hard to decide what has been my highlight. I love the birds especially. The Scarlet Macaws, Toucans, Tanagers, Hummingbirds, Woodpeckers, Pelicans, Frigate-birds, Parrots and Lorikeets are just some of the many different species that have beguiled me.

As well as these I have loved seeing a wide range of mammals. Four species of monkey I have seen around camp. As well as this I have seen Neo-tropical otters, Pacas, Bats, Coatis, Squirrels and Possums.

As a biologist it is not just the birds and mammals that fascinate me. I have loved seeing the amazing butterflies, the frogs, giant iguanas, snakes, spiders, lizards and the myriad of species of insects.

Around our camp we also have several species of Big Cat. A Jaguar was spotted close by in a camera trap, an Ocelot was footprint located recently on a track search and one of my colleagues saw a Jaguarundi on his first day! Lucky devil...hopefully one day I will see one of these elusive creatures.

Yet as amazing as all these things are they are not the highlight of working here so far for me. Recently I released 74 Olive Ridley Turtle hatchlings. It was a first for me a wonderful and life affirming experience that I will never forget.

I enjoy living on the camp in rustic conditions in tents and hammocks with great like minded individuals who want to help save Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity. Most places in Osa are five star lodges that would break the bank and I like that conservationists can come to work with and learn about these special animals in such a rich and diverse rainforest without having to be millionaires.

Luckily I have more time here in this unique part of Costa Rica and the world but it has certainly been a entrancing few weeks in this biologists nirvana!