List Members and Friends of Rainforest and Reef...
Not a holiday that will get you off of Teaching for a day, but worth
looking at. Some striking Bird images, actually all endangered species.
I believe they missed an important one in Brazil's spectacular Hyacinth
Macaw...the largest of the 17 remaining Macaw species and only 5000 left
in the wild. Why? Great question and I'm glad you asked. Certainly
deforestation, but also...in the pet trade, Hyacinths can bring from
7000.00-12,000.00USD/bird. Quite a motivator for a Brazilian living in
very difficult economic conditions, not to mention, profits made by all
middle men involved. See the 2nd link below. Hycacinth images can be
found here. Should you be interested in seeing one in their native
habitat and contributing directly to a worthy program working towards
bring their numbers back, please feel free to contact me. Rarely would I
guarantee Animal sightings, but in this program, the bulk of your fees
will also go towards projects protecting the Brazilian Jaguar and also
the Golden Lion Tamarin as well. You will see all 3 of these endangered
species during the Research Expedition. Yes, we make a very small profit
here to help sustain our continued efforts.
While, not an advocate of Birds in captivity, it seems that as Humans,
we do like to have them as "pets". I'm not making this post to prevent
this, but I have adamantly tried to discourage it. Any captive breeding
programs are certainly a plus for Birds in the wild. Even in Grand
Rapids, MI, we now have a couple of people breeding Hyacinths. The
coming years will tell us if there is still enough genetic diversity
left in the wild to maintain and build on what we still have and whether
or not we can curb the present and past rates of deforestation in this
very sensitive and valuable ecosystems that these Birds call home.
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/14-endangered-birds-worth-tweeting-about
http://www.biosferabrasil.com/meu_produto.php?cod=168&idioma=i
Still on the topic of Birds, and especially Macaws. We have been working
with Kurt Holle and Rainforest Expeditons at the Tambopata Research
Center out of Madre de Dios, Peru for some time now. The main Lodge at
the TRC is very close to the largest clay-lick in all of South America.
Clay-licks are extremely important to Parrots and other Birds, as they
contain vital salts and other minerals. You can view them with ease at
the TRC in a very non-intrusive manner. Participants in any programs
there are given the opportunity to collect and submit observational data
that is actually used by Researchers each year in the monitoring of
populations.
http://www.perunature.com/tambopata-research-center.html
Groups are certainly welcome, but traveling alone or with a friend or
spouse is certainly a viable option.
Thank you and have a great weekend. Yes, stay warm....possibly some of
the included images will help!
Mike Nolan
--
If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number,
best time to return your call and your e-mail address.
After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request.
Sincerely,
J. Michael Nolan, Director
Rainforest and Reef
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do
than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
-Author Unknown (Mark Twain is often given credit for this quote, but did not
say it)
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"Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology"
References/Comments from past Group Leaders and Individual Participants can be
found at: http://rainforestandreef.org/comments.htm, many more available upon
request.
Endorsement from Jack Hanna, Director of the Columbus, Ohio Zoo and Aquarium:
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Rainforest and Reef
161 Main St.
Coopersville, MI 49404
Local/International Phone: 1.616.604.0546
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