Spanish school, Research Station, Sustainable tourism, Ecotourism, Fish studies, Bird and other nature studies, Reforestation and Conservation Activities and Hostel in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, Nicaragua. Birdwatching, SCUBA diving, swimming, hiking, nature and wildlife watching. Hostel, great meals, great friends. Saving the planet and enjoying every minute of it!
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Any well-grounded person would agree that saving the planet is a goal beyond our reach. No one reading this blog controls enough resources to dream of something so big. But it is not beyond our reach to plant a tree in a place that once was a forest and could again return to the wild.
Gapforce volunteers planted dozens of trees in a reforestation plot. Photo Pablo Somarriba.
For most folks in most circumstances, several factors inhibit their capacity to make a lasting contribution, however small, to the forests as they rapidly vanish before us. We all recognize that the issues facing our forests are far greater and more complex than simply taking a sapling and sticking it into the ground. Resolving the fundamental issues behind the disappearance of trees from a site is almost always difficult or impossible. Planting trees in a rapidly deforesting world may be of no more benefit than that of Sisyphus rolling a rock up the hill.
Volunteers work among trees planted earlier, already reaching some six meters height. Photo Pablo Somarriba.
Our reforestation activities aim for a high survival of trees to reach maturity, by taking a series of steps to get stakeholders interested, involved, and committed. GAIA reforests lands inside the Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, through commitments from the individual landowners, or when land is not privately held, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and the municipal authorities. Our contribution to the forest cover within the protected area is relatively small, with a total of some 8,000 trees planted to date. Many of these trees have survived and some have already reached at least eight meters height, and howler monkeys have been observed climbing in them, demonstrating a very important level of success.
Gapforce volunteers taking care of saplings in the garden. We grow trees from seeds harvested from the forests of Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. Photo Psblo Somarriba.
There is another good reason for conducting our reforestation project. Others see what we do, and little by little, people begin to appreciate the value of their own energy and effort in a collective force to save the wild areas in Nicaragua. Teachers and their students from schools come to participate, adding their efforts, of a a few hours or a few days, to bring more wild nature habitat to this area. Individuals and even families come and spend a day, a week, or even a few months as reforestation volunteers.
Seeds are gathered in the forest, and then processed by hand, as part of the reforestation activity. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
Spending a couple of hours once in a while to make the world a better place is not just an idea among the foreigners here. Our own neighbors have become environmentalists. When we organize a tree-planting activity, some neighbors want to be involved. Nicaraguans are increasingly finding ways to make their environment greener and cleaner.
Tree seedlings are planted in reforestation plots during the rainy season. Photo Michael Lowery
Seeing the reactions of so many people toward reforestation convinces us that growing, planting, and caring for trees is one of the best ways we can work in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. We feel validated by the people who join us and we think they do, as well.
Reforestation volunteers process seeds and share good times together. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
It is easy for one who visits Nicaragua to think that people are pessimistic or indifferent to environmental matters. We have found quite a different reaction from the Nicaraguans who live in and around Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. Many people want to be involved, to have their desire for a green nation to be taken into account. The following photos show how locals came to help plant trees with us.
A new reforestation area is getting its first trees, with collaborations including GAIA, Cooperativa Ebert Silva, MARENA, and members of the local community. Photo Pablo Somarriba.
On a recent day in the 2017 rainy season, we carted trees into a new reforestation plot, and the local population joined in to lend their effort. The first trees were placed in the ground in an area that has resisted the return of forests for years.
Members of the local community in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve prepare holes for planting seedlings. Photo Pablo Somarriba.
There was a time when people seemed more pessimistic and skeptical of any request for help from the government or any group for effort in environmental protection. Today, however, more people think they can make a difference.
Park guards and the community prepare the site for planting trees. Photo Pablo Somarriba.
The idea that physical work such as planting trees is not for women, is pretty much a thing of the past, as well. Women participate in all kinds of activities in the local community. To see women digging and carting trees is not at all unexpected.
Trees are on their way! Photo Pablo Somarriba.
You can help to save the planet, one tree at a time, too. Just like the people in these photos, you can help to plant trees and make monkeys and other wildlife have bigger and better habitats, while protecting the water of Laguna de Apoyo. If you would like to be an Eco-Warrior Volunteer, please contact us.
In most of Nicaragua, the most abundant and visible of the three primate species is the golden-mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata palliata). Howler monkeys have always been found in the Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, but their populations have increased dramatically in recent years. Years ago, howler monkeys were heard from Estación Biológica Laguna de Apoyo, at distances of up to a kilometer to the south. Today, they are within sight at least half the days of the year.
This baby howler monkey seems to be holding on to its mother as if on a roller coaster. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
We think this special population of howler monkeys in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve merits a lot of attention. The species is protected by local law from hunting and capture for purposes such as the pet trade, and the populations are very sensitive to habitat destruction. They may never touch ground during their lifetimes, making arboreal connectivity vital to their habitat. In areas where the forest is used for fuelwood, pasture, or other purposes, entire areas may be blocked from access by them.
Howler monkey. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
The howler monkeys of Laguna de Apoyo, are doubly protected, as species occupying a protected area where fauna, flora and other aspects of natural habitat and landscape receive some measure of protection. Beyond these justifications for lending special attention to the howler monkeys of Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, exists yet another important reason to focus on this population. The visible success of this species as a population during the past years, in a context of diminishing populations in most species and locations in the country,
Howler monkeys often are easily seen from the patio of Estación Biológica. Photo Andras Dorgai.
The dramatic increases in the howler monkey population in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve has meant that monkeys are found in places and circumstances that present new challenges for coexistence between humans and nature. Most of the homes along the shore now find howler monkeys in their yards many days of the year. The electric wires running through the populated areas present yet another challenge to them. Several electrocutions of monkeys have been documented over the years.
What can we do to make monkeys a priority in natural areas? Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
Howler monkeys are classified as folivores, that is, they tend to eat leaves as their sustenance. During the dry season, when leaves are scarce, or old and dry, they may consume larger amounts of fruits. There have been notable occurrences of monkey mortality in other parts of Nicaragua, where the dry season can be quite marked, so monitoring of the monkey populations is quite important.
There are lots of reasons to be studying the monkey populations. One is to ensure that the populations remain abundant and healthy, with adequate numbers of juveniles that reflect a population in constant reproduction. The quality of a healthy environment for monkeys is also important to know and understand. One aspect of a healthy monkey habitat is a selection of trees that provides year-round food in adequate amounts. The species of trees preferred as food items by howler monkeys can provide indications for reforestation activities in the area.
Howler monkeys eat leaves of Bursera simaruba, a locally abundant tree species. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
Anyone visiting Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve may want to spend some time finding and watching howler monkeys. If one exercises common sense regarding the respect that monkeys deserve, it can be easy to enjoy watching them without causing them any distress. One should remember always that the monkeys deserve to live in peace without any distress caused by humans.
The howler monkeys of Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve are easy to find and admire. Watch them with respect. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
When the howler monkeys decide to come to our patio, we are always happy, and we are careful to give them the as much private space as is necessary. They are not here for our entertainment only; they exist for their own reasons, and they should be permitted to come and go as they deem appropriate, without feeling bothered by humans.
Baby rides while mother searches for food. In the dry season, monkeys tend to eat more fruits than leaves. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
Our concern for wildlife and the habitats they use and require is not shared by everyone, but many people agree that wildlife should receive a greater priority than people in areas designated as wild space such as the Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. There is a growing number of hotels and other spaces where the environment is completely incompatible with wildlife such as howler monkeys. At Estación Biológica Laguna de Apoyo, we stand for wildlife.
This baby howler monkey is still breastfeeding. She observes as her mother eats a mango. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
GAIA has conducted surveys and studies of the monkeys and other wildlife in the forests surrounding Laguna de Apoyo. If you are interested in helping to protect monkeys, study them, or just watch them, Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve is among the most ideal of locations.
A baby monkey watches us as her mother is relaxing. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
Volunteers and interns can arrange stays to help with our conservation projects and to study the relationships between wildlife and the environment in our area. We gladly receive guests and visitors any time, as well. Please come to meet us, discuss what is the latest happening in conservation in the area, and stay as long as you like.
An adult female golden-mantled howler monkey scales a tree. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
If you are interested in getting involved in the protection or study of these magnificent animals, please contact us.
The kinkajou is much more inclined to walk upright, after surgery. Thanks to the team of veterinarians who donated their time and resources to this animal. Photo by Jeffrey McCrary.
For some people, seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is a marvel that should be cherished. Unfortunately, we as humans have been conditioned to react to the sight of a wild animal by trying to kill it. The urge to manifest one's dominance over weaker individuals can be seen all too often where wild animals and humans meet. Far too often, when some wild animal appears near people, someone takes it upon himself to try to cause the animal pain or death.
This scenario recently occurred in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, resulting in a wounded wild animal of a species not often seen. A kinkajou (Potos flavus) was recently brought to us at Estación Biológica by the park guards in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. The animal had been severely injured, with deep cuts and abrasions to the face, both eyes badly damaged, and one paw almost completely severed. We placed it into a cage where it rested and soon arose to the smell of fruit. The animal devoured an entire banana and part of a watermelon, then went back into a trance.
A wounded kinkajou was recently found in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. Photo Jeffrey McCrary
The injuries that the animal suffered could not have been given by another wild animal; some person or persons who meant the animal harm. His face had been struck with a hard object, perhaps a rock. A leg was nearly severed. The animal was blinded and lame, with deep wounds on the face and leg. Nonetheless, the animal was hungry and strong when it arrived at Estación Biológica.
We observed the animal for a day, and sought a veterinarian. Soon enough, a veterinarian volunteered the extensive services necessary to give the kinkajou an opportunity to survive. An eye was amputated, as was a foot. A badly infected wound on the cheek was cleaned and closed.
The enormous appetite of the kinkajou was manifested from the day it arrived. In spite of his extensive injuries to his nose and face, its sense of smell would lead him to any fruit placed in the cage. It ate ravenously.
The poor kinkajou was taken to a clinic where kind and caring veterinarians gave it a second chance at life. Without a paw and an eye, it is not clear what quality of life it may have in the future. The animal will be observed to see how it recovers, how much eyesight remains, and what conditions could be provided that will be good for the animal.
Gaia Program Director Jeffrey McCrary gives a banana to the wounded kinkajou, which is eaten quickly. Photo Andras Dorgai.
The kinkajou (Potus flavus) is also called, in English, honey bear, for its rounded face, solid color, and tendency to eat sweet fruits. The species is found over a wide range in the tropics of the Americas, but is little seen because of its strongly nocturnal and arboreal tendencies. Its prehensile tail and feet make it at home in the trees. The kinkajou is superficially similar to monkeys and even cats, but is a close relative to the raccoon, both in the Family Mustelidae. Its diet is mostly fruit, in spite of long fangs and sharp claws which are used by other members of the same family to hunt. Although not particularly stealthy, its habits make it largely unknown to people who live with them nearby. Even the park guards at Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve had never seen a kinkajou before!
We can only speculate on the motivations of the culprits that harmed this poor animal. Perhaps they wanted to make it a pet, given that some famous people today even think having kinkajous as pets is a good thing. Perhaps it was a simple act of savagery, of anger and machismo that was not diluted by any other emotion than to show one's power over a harmless animal. Harming animals in the forest seems to be a pastime for far too many people.
The staff and Eco-Warrior Volunteers at Gaia are caring for it, giving the wounded animal food and cleaning up. We are in need of food-bananas, papayas, watermelon, dog food, beans and rice.... all of which require funding. We also need caregivers to spend there time as volunteers. More enclosures, cages, and even fencing materials are needed. You are welcome to scan through our blog entries to find more animal rescue accounts. Can you donate a small amount of your time or money to help us to care for this animal?
The kinkajou relaxes among the remains of several slices of watermelon after a feast. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
We at Gaia think that providing a small refuge for wounded or mistreated,wild animals is vital to a protected, natural area. Many animals become injured or in need as a result of conflicts with humans over habitat that is supposedly dedicated for their use. Although the actual number of animals saved is low, they can provide the foundations for conversations and start people on the thought processes that may challenge one's view of nature here.
We need your participation to accomplish this. Please visit us at Estación Biológica Laguna de Apoyo, and meet the kinkajou and other rescue animals that we may helping. We want your support and participation, so please visit us!
Juju, as the kinkajou has been named, devours a banana within moments of sensing its presence. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
