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!
www.gaianicaragua.org.
www.twitter.com/lagunaapoyo
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.
There is something dark inside us humans, that makes us want to possess what pleases us. This dark urge to possess sometimes focuses on some poor, wild animal who deserves to live and die in its natural habitat, not in a cage or on a chain. This week, the Gaia staff gave back to the world, to nature and to one White-faced capuchin monkey, who had been cruelly imprisoned by humans who thought a monkey should be an object for humans to own.
This monkey certainly was assertive! Photo Pablo Somarriba.
Of course, the humans who bought and sold this poor monkey as if she were a commodity never considered that she had never wanted to be on a chain. Perhaps they realized that she was unwilling, because they kept her on a metal chain, not just any cord, because she would have chewed through anything else. But even though their consciences were dulled to the point that they could abuse an animal in this way, their threshold of physical pain could still be reached. This monkey, as most White-faced capuchins do, tends to bite, unpredictably.
After a few bites, the owners who once thought having a monkey on a chain would make them popular among their friends, and perhaps bring them happiness to fill that void that is formed when one is in an endless cycle of abuse, decided that a monkey was no longer as interesting as before. She was brought to us by volunteers from Fundacion ADAN, in Managua, and we monitored the monkey several days before releasing her into the wild, in an area where she would quickly encounter others of her species.
White-faced capuchin monkeys are clever and cute. This monkey wanted and attracted attention very well. She made friends fast. Her mischief was generally benign, and she kept people laughing.
The monkey made a special bond with Elmer, who has a special way with animals. Photo Pablo Somarriba.
This White-faced capuchin monkey was very active, while at Estacion Biologica! Today, she lives wild and free, in the forests of Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. Photo Pablo Somarriba.
Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve is a natural habitat for this species, and for the Golden-mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata). There has recently been a great resurgence in the latter species, thanks to better conservation practices in the reserve, especially regarding poaching of wild animals. The White-faced capuchin monkeys, however, have yet to occupy large areas of the reserve. Their populations were almost completely eliminated by unscrupulous hunters and pet traders, which have affected the Golden-mantled howler monkeys less, because they are not attractive as pets, and possibly because their diet is much less dependent on fruit, since they can digest leaves in enormous quantities.
Once on their way to the spot she will find as her new, wild home, the monkey continued to play. She had already developed a bond with Elmer, and she went without making any problems. She had no idea of the big adventure ahead of her.
Once they were in an area with White-faced capuchin monkeys, they entered on a path into the forest. It was important to leave the monkey as close as possible to others with whom she will bond and associate.
Once she was released from her cruel collar, she slowly tested her new limits. First, she only sat and observed her human friends, glancing at the abundant forest without moving. Then, she was taken by bravery. She tested a small tree, and found it to her liking. Her memories of the wild had not left her. Within seconds, she jumped from one small tree to another, then scaled to several meters height. Within a few minutes, she was gone, not to return. What an emotional start to a new, free life!
Wistful but satisfied that one more sentient being in this universe will live and die according to her biological mandates, and not in captivity, the crew of volunteers and GAIA staff went back to Estacion Biologica to contemplate it all. After all, White-faced capuchin monkeys have many human qualities. It seems so natural that someone would see a monkey act cute and adorable and think, "I want one". Yet, when we see how this monkey acted, once free, the answer was clear. She tolerated us but she knew where she belonged. She scaled the trees and never returned. We hope someday to see her again, but from afar, and hopefully, in the company of her new simian friends. She, and all wild animals, deserve to live and die in their natural habitat, not in a cage or on a chain.
This monkey is now in the forest, where she wants to be, but there are still many things to do in Nicaragua, to combat the illegal traffic in animals. Would you like to help us protect the wild nature of Nicaragua? You can work with us in many ways. One is to adopt a rescue animal. We have animals that need food and care, and their costs average fifteen dollars per month each. You can help us expand our capacity to care for wild animal rescues by helping to finance new enclosures and transportation costs. And, most importantly, you can help by volunteering with us.
GAIA eco-warrior volunteers help care for our rescued animals, as well as conduct other environmental activism such as planting native trees in deforested areas inside the reserve. We also monitor bird and monkey populations, and our volunteers help us make the surveys in combination with GAIA experts. Our volunteers have plenty to do in rewarding, if tiring, labor.
It makes us emotional to think that we can bring happiness into the life of a small animal that looks so much like us, so easily. It seems like so little, but at the same time, so much to bring a monkey back to her life that she abandoned unwillingly, by the cruel acts of other humans. When we saw her go away and not look back, we knew we had done something good.
We want to know what you think. We need your participation and support, to work together to save wild nature in Nicaragua. Please contact us and tell us what is on your mind.
Los animales llegaron hasta con ropa formal! Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
Marchando para reglamentar la Ley 747. Photo Wendy Pavón
El ser humano es capaz de lindas bondades, actos de amor y entrega. Pero a su vez, podemos ser indiferentes o hasta crueles, muchas veces sin reconocerlo. Vivimos en un mundo donde gente mata con justificaciones como "guerra" y luego expresamos cariño a nuestros queridos, familia, y hasta las mascotas. En este sentido, no debe sorprender a uno que nuestra manera de ver a los animales como seres con derechos absolutos que tenemos que respetar es algo nuevo.
Se realizó la marcha con el apoyo de la Policía Nacional. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
Los animales llegaron para exigir la Ley 747 reglamentada.
Como muchos otros paises, Nicaragua se encuentra en una discusión sobre cómo reconocer los derechos de los animales en nuestro entorno. Al inicio, luchar a favor de los animales parece una causa quixótica. En las ciudades, y en los pueblos, se ven perros en las calles con sarna, sin cuido, sin suficiente alimento, sin cariño y cuido de ningún ser humano. Muchas veces, estos perros tienen dueños, pero se considera apropiado mantener un perro en un estado miserable, casi siempre alegando falta de recursos. Lo mismo pasa con caballos. En ambos casos, cuando no son útiles o convenientes a sus dueños, son abandonados en la calle, para buscar como defenderse en una situación que no permite que no prosperen.
Hasta los gallos marcharon! Photo Jeffrey McCrary.
El entrañable Scooby llegó, también. Foto Wendy Pavón.
Hay otras áreas en las cuales hay conflictos sobre los derechos de los animales. Sigue en alto el deporte de pelea de gallos. Es un deporte de todos los domingos entre todo el interior del país, a pesar de que es nada más ni menos que una imposición cruel sobre dos animales.
Pancartas pasaron los mensajes durante la marcha. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
Otro serio problema en Nicaragua es la mezcla de los deseos de tener una mascota con la abundante vida silvestre alrededor. Frecuentemente, vemos monos, felinos, lapas, y otros animales que no son aptos para cautiverio, que fueron cazados y capturados del bosque para vender. Y lo más sorprendente y decepcionante es que hay personas que compran esos animales, pensando que pueden darles lo que realmente no se puede dar a un animal silvestre en una jaula. Cada animal silvestre debe vivir y morir en el bosque, no en una jaula. Estas y otras razones son las causas que nos motivan a promover una ley efectiva para proteger a los animales domesticados igual como los animales no domesticados. Hasta los circos tienen animales silvestres en exhibicion.
De toda edad llegaron para reclamar por los derechos de los animales. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
El recientemente aprobada Ley 747 ha sido un avance sustantivo en la materia de la defensa de los animales. Sin embargo, hasta la fecha, no se ha emitido un reglamento para la ley, lo que significaría las indicaciones para sanciones en casos de violaciones de la ley. Sin reglamento, la ley lleva mucho menos poder, porque es de menos utilidad cuando se toca llamar a las autoridades para resolver a un abuso.
Los animales y sus amigos se tomaron la Carretera a Masaya. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.
La existencia de la Ley 747, a pesar de que sigue sin reglamentación, ha ayudado a dar publicidad sobre la criminalidad de los actos que perjudican a animales innecesariamente, y ha hecho muchos cambios en las actitudes de las personas en la sociedad. Las actitudes sobre el control de fertilidad de los perros, por ejemplo, han cambiado mucho recientemente. Otra señal es que un circo se presentó en Nicaragua sin animales en su espectáculo, por primera vez.
Todos con ropa que lleva mensaje de la Ley 747. Foto Alejandra Zeledón.
Pero la evidencia mayor de cambios en las actitudes se están dando, es el gran número de personas que sumaron a la Marcha por los Animales el pasado 18 de abril 2015. Cientos de personas, con perros, hasta conejos, cobayos y gallos! Con pancartas y mantas, reclamando por la reglamentación de la Ley 747. Aunque no fuera cubierta por los medios nacionales, la marcha recibió atención de la prensa internacional en Europa (Euronews).
Perros y personas, descansando en el Parque Cuba, después de la marcha. Foto Marvis Espinoza Smith.
Ayude a estos animales, sumando fuerzas con los grupos que ya existen, dando apoyo mutuo y compartiendo el trabajo. Si se siente con poco tiempo para ayudar, regale una bolsa de comida, una fruta (para los animales que las comen como lapas), etc. Te necesitamos!
Puedes contactarnos para decirnos que piensas de nuestro blog, o colgar un comentario abajo.
Puedes ayudarnos a mantener la naturaleza salvaje en Nicaragua, dando de su tiempo con nosotros, o donar para apoyar a nuestros proyectos de conservacion.
Cuando la gente ve a un animal en venta como mascota en plena calle, muchas veces no piensa nada malo esté pasando. Hay vendedores de perros de raza en las cunetas de diferentes puntos de Managua, por ejemplo detrás de MetroCentro. Hay que cuestionar las condiciones de vida de estos pobres animales que pasan el día en la calle y quién sabe qué condiciones en la noche.
Esta persona repugnante vende una lapa pintada. No basta que este animal se encuentre en peligro de extinción, sino que hay que pintarle de varios colores para que parezca algo distinto. El hombre es el mismo que abusa violentamente del tigrillo en el video presentado abajo. Foto Matthias Geiger.
Peor aún es el caso del vendedor ambulante de animales silvestres. El punto más reconocido de la venta en la calle dentro de la capital se ubica entre los semáforos del Hospital Militar y PriceSmart. Mientras uno puede quejarse de la venta de perros en la calle, esa gente se ampara en la ley, pero los hombres que laboran en la venta de loras y otros animales silvestres en este punto saben bien que lo que hacen es prohibido. Otro punto es del km 67 en la Carretera Panamericana Norte. Justo al norte de la jurisdicción de municipio Managua, los residentes de este punto conocido como Playitas-Moyua se amparan en implicancias y disinterés entre los oficiales de Ciudad Darío. A lo largo de más de dos décadas, esta gente se dedica a vender animales del bosque como loras, lapas, monos, tucanes, cusucos, y tigrillos. Diario se encuentran varias personas de un caserío pegado a la carretera con sus animales en palos o colgando de sus brazos, mientras pasa el tráfico entre el norte en Managua. Obviamente las personas con dinero que andan en vehículos privados son los motores del tráfico ilícito de estos pobres animales, o bien los vendedores hubieran buscado otro oficio hace años.
Esta misma persona vende un mono cara blanca, con loras y chocoyos. Cuándo van a actuar para frenar a esta actividad en contra del patrimonio natural de los nicas? Foto Maggie Folkesson.
Aunque en muchos respetos la situación ambiental es mejor en Costa Rica que en Nicaragua, los mismos ticos y los extranjeros que dominan las escenas de las periferias y las playas del país semi-permanente refugios consideran igualmente que la vida es mejor acompañado por un mono en una cadena, o un par de loras o una lapa en una jaula. La vida silvestre de ambos países sufre por la casa furtiva para suplir a la demanda de mascotas coloridas que se convierten en símbolos de poder. Pero como se aprecia en el vídeo abajo, esta persona que vive y ejerce el oficio de pirata de animales silvestres en el km 67 de la Carretera Norte se pasa de toda expectativa entre los seres humanos. Entendemos que él puede no estar de acuerdo con la venta de animales, pero no podemos aceptar aguantar ni un día más el actuar de esta persona ni la falta de coacción en su contra de parte de las autoridades municipales y del gobierno central. Este hombre, cuyo nombre y apellido son conocidos, abusa a un tigrillo (Felix wiedii) delante de varias personas como se demuestra en la foto abajo y el vídeo publicado en La Prensa.
Parece ser un objeto ocupado como látigo, pero es un ser vivo. Esta persona repugnante golpea a Ernesto López con un tigrillo (Feliz wiedii), en la Carretera Norte, km 67. Apelamos a las autoridades a rescatar a este animal y castigar a esta persona que ha reincidido en la venta y abuso de animales silvestres sobre muchos años.
Sabemos que las autoridades en MARENA conocen a esta persona y sabemos que ellos tienen una historia dedicándose en buscar alternativas de vida para él y para otros que también viven en ese mismo caserío en la Carretera Norte. Pero no aguantamos más los abusos de esta persona. Insistimos en un acción inmediata y precisa a favor del pobre gato, que es una especie en peligro de extinción y merece un trato totalmente diferente a lo visto aquí. Gracias a La Prensa por compartir sus sentimientos en dos reportajes.
En FUNDECI/GAIA, pensamos que los animales silvestres deben vivir y morir en el bosque, no en una jaula. Obviamente, muchas personas piensan diferente, pero contamos en que nuestros lectores se sumen a las voces que reclaman los derechos para los animales silvestres. Estos animales se deben de considerarse como patrimonio nacional para crear un mecanismo especial de protección de ellos y de su hábitat.
