Allan Taylor - MSc, BA(Hons), Head Field Biologist

Allan comes from the UK and has been highly recommended. His expertise in the 'field' is very well respected.
Most recently he has been working for The National Trust in the Farne Islands, with the most important breeding site for seabirds and grey seals in England. He has also worked for Australian Animals Care and Education, working closely with the bridled nailtail wallaby.
Allan was educated in the UK gaining an MSc in Environmental Management. During this time his research project was "A comparative study of prey size, feeding rates and chick mortality in Little and Artic Terns".
Allan is world travelled and apart from his passion for wildlife and the great outdoors, enjoys sports and music.

Chris Castles, Field Specialist & Co-ordinator/Headkeeper

Chris worked with us in 2003 and we are delighted to welcome him back.
Chris grew up on a large sheep, cattle and deer farm in the Waikato, New Zealand.
Pursuing an interest in birds from childhood, Chris had a collection of over 70 parrots and parakeets, including Kakariki and Grass Parakeets. He began working in zoos at 17 and has worked with in situ and ex situ conservation and artificial nesting projects for captive released and wild avian populations, such as Kaka (Nestor meridionalis) and Red Crowned Kakariki (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae).
He also worked for 6 months in Colombia implementing and collecting data for the Fuertes Parrot (Hapalopsittaca fuertes) and the Golden Plumed Parrot (Leptosittaca branickii) and carrying out an artificial nesting study in the Central Andes.

Marti Everett, Curator/Volunteer coordinator

Marti has been working at Amigos de las Aves for the past seven years. She is from the UK and has worked as a zookeeper at Birdworld, Linton Zoo, London Zoo and Woburn Safari Park for many years. Specialising in birds and handrearing.

Jenny Pettigrew - Dip. Vet. Nurse, Zookeeper and veterinary nurse

Jenny studied Veterinary Nursing at Massey University in New Zealand before starting work at Wellington Zoo, New Zealand. She worked in the veterinary hospital at the zoo where she cared for all the various species in the collection. After working in the zoo for 5 years she has now joined the team at Amigos de Las Aves. Her experience and knowledge will be a valuable asset to the team.

Dr. Silvia Coto, Regente and veterinary surgeon

Silvi is our local veterinary surgeon. She owned her own veterinary practice and comes highly recommended by Dr. Mauricio Jimenez at the Veterinary School. She provides regular routine health management and deals with any emergencies that arise. She currently works for a local pharmaceutical company.
Silvi likes music and playing her guitar, reading and writing poetry, and spends some of her free time drawing.

Sheirys Jimenez, Regente for Amigos de las Aves and Biologist

Sheirys studied at the University of Costa Rica and is a well respected Biologist in Costa Rica. She has worked with the Colegio de Bilogos de Costa Rica and works closely with MINAE to establish proper and correct procedures for Amigos de las Aves to work within the Costa Rican law. She is responsible for the correct working of Amigos de las Aves. An avid enthusiast for her canine friends, she breeds Bichon Maltese and wins shows frequently and owns highly prized stock. Sheirys has a wide variety of interests and has recently taken up glass painting.

Lindell Andrews, Zoo Keeper, Stud Book Keeper and Small Population Adviser

Lindell Andrews is half Australian and half British. She has a Bachelor of Science with Honors degree in Wildlife Biology and Conservation at James Cook University of Northern Queensland as well a Certificate in Zookeeping and Graduate Certificate in Captive Vertebrate Management. Lindell has worked at James Cook University, Queensland National Park and Wildlife Service, Healesville Sanctuary, London Zoo and Adelaide Zoo, She has extensive field research, lab technique and captive husbandry experience. She specializes in small population management, having maintained national studbooks for the white-naped honeyeater, spotted-tailed quail, yellow-bellied glider and orange-bellied parrot.
Lindell currently is working in Adelaide Zoo and represents Amigos de las Aves at conservation presentations throughout the southern region and acts in an advisory capacity for us at Amigos.

Dale Forbes, Conservation Biologist/Advisor

Dale has a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Science and Zoology from the University of Natal, South Africa. He was our team biologist and was based at our release site in Tiskita for two and a half years and has contributed a large amount to our field research program. Dale moved to the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Centre in Honduras, and now resides in Austria. Dale is an integral part of our advisory team and represents Amigos at conferences and presentations.

Brian Smith, Conservation Biologist/Advisor

Brian studied Ecology and Evolution at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, He worked in the field with Amigos de las Aves during 2003/2004.
Brian works with us in an advisory capacity and has many extensive years experience with birds. Currently Brian is completing his Masters degree on "Phylogeography of the Northern Cardinal" and is carrying out a genetic study on the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) throughout their entire range.

Fiona Dear, Conservation Biologist/Advisor

Fiona has a Batchelor of Science Zoology degree from the University College of London in the UK. Fiona worked for us as field researcher in 2003/4. She moved to Carrara National Park studying the Macaws and focusing on eductation for 2 years and she Fiona now works with us in an advisory capacity. Fiona has since returned to London to continue her studies for a Masters degree.

Suzy Beirute, Business Woman, Board Member and Supporter to Amigos de las Aves

Celebrating 52 years in business this year, Refrigeracion Industrial Beirute was begun by Suzy's father Carlos Beirute A truly family orientated and successful company, Suzy combines her business skills and down to earth common sense, with kindness and passion for the safety and conservation of Costa Rica. Suzy is an avid reader, a supporter of a dog rescue charity in Santa Ana, and enjoys walks on trails in the Costa Rican National Parks.

Dr. Marcial Arrieta, Veterinarian and Board Member

A founder member of Amigos de las Aves, Dr. Arrietta has a very busy and thriving small animal practice in the center of San Jose.

Amos Bien, Population Ecologist and Board Member

Founding President of Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge & Reserve, in the north central valley, possibly the first ecolodge in Costa Rica. Amos is now director of International Programs of the International Ecotourism Society and a country representative to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development.

Laura Moralez, Lawyer and Board Member

A founder member of Amigos de las Aves, Laura now has established her own successful legal practice in central San Jose.