To: Undergraduate and graduate students:
Primate Behavior and Ecology Field Course in Costa Rica: $2100 US dollars
June 15 July 12, 2010
This month-long course is designed to teach undergraduate and graduate students the basic skills necessary to study
primate behavior in the wild. Throughout this course you will learn techniques in ecological and behavioral data
collection and complete an independent study on one of three primate species native to the area (Ateles geoffroyi, the
black handed spider monkey; Cebus capucinus, the white-faced capuchin; Alouatta palliata, the mantled howler
monkey).While our course cost may be a bit higher than some similar field courses we take pride in the fact that our
students have the advantage of doing work in two forests, learn Spanish, take a few fun field trips and help educate
local students.
This course will take place at two field sites. The first three weeks will be held at El Zota Biological Station, an
inland tropical wet forest site comprised of primary, secondary and regenerating forest. The last week will be held at
Tortuguero, a fragmented coastal lowland tropical forest comprised of riverine, palm and secondary forest areas
surrounded by the the canals of Rio Tortuguero and the Atlantic Ocean.To encourage cooperation and collaboration with
local Costa Rican scholars and students, a Spanish language instructor will be on hand for Spanish lessons during the
course. Participation in lessons is expected from all students.In addition, we believe the generosity of the Costa
Rican people should be rewarded for allowing us to work and visit their country; therefore a portion of the course fee
will cover the high school fees of local Costa Rican students. Our hope is that this connection will foster a
relationship between the field school and local students, encouraging them to work towards conservation in their own
community.
Finally, we take a number of fun side trips in Costa Rica; which are hugely popular and a lot of fun. We have taken
students to visit cloud forests and coffee/chocolate plantations, white water rafting, zip-lining, sea-turtle
watching, and snorkeling.Space is limited so contact us soon!For more detailed information please contact
[email protected] or [email protected]
Dr. Lorna Joachim
Adjunct Prof. of Research in Psychology
University of New Mexico, Department of Psychology
[email protected]
