Who We Are

Fernanda is a qualified biologist. She studied in University in San Jose and she has worked on several field projects and producing a thesis on a study of Bats.

Fernanda and her Family Beirute, have long been supporters of this project and now the Family is represented by Fernanda as co director. She is a dedicated conservationist and like the rest of her family, passionate about Costa Rica wildlife!

Chris Castles
Co Director, Field Specialist & Co-ordinator

Chris worked with us in 2003 and returned again in 2006.

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
Co Director, Curator/Volunteer co-ordinator

Marti has been working at The Ara Project (formerly Amigos de las Aves) for the past nine 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.

Allan Taylor MSc, BA(Hons)
Head Field Biologist

Allan comes from the UK and was highly recommended. His expertise in the ‘field’ is very well respected. He has been working with us for the past year.

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.

Dr. Silvia Coto
Regente and Veterinary Surgeon.

Silvi is our regent and therefore responsible for our project to the government. She is also our veterinary surgeon. She has 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 veterinary pharmaceutical company.

Silvi likes music and playing her guitar, reading and writing poetry, and spends some of her free time drawing. She has recently been backpacking around South America.

Ilona Thewissen M.Sc.

Ilona worked with us a few years ago as our biologist, and has now rejoined us again for a short time, and we are delighted to welcome her back.

Ilona has been key to our release program in Tiskita and her experience, now joined with Allan’s is proving to be quite a force to be reckoned with.

Ilona has a Master of Science degree in Wildlife Management and Conservation and a Doctoral in Archeozoology from Leiden University. She has strong aviculturalist ties having spent time as a zookeeper, so is perfectly well equipped for hands on experience and also understanding of how macaws act and behave.

Ilona has excellent people skills and has also enjoys educational work and working with children.

We are delighted that she has been able to re join us and hope that she will enjoy her time with us.

Suzy Beirute

Business Woman, Celebrating 52 years in business this year, Beirute Industrial Refrigeracion (www.beirute.com) was started 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. Mauricio Jimenez

Director of Medicine at Veterinary School of the National Univeristy of Costa Rica and Advisor

Mauricio offers unique support for us and has always had the interests of our program at heart. He is always available in an emergency and provides skilled advice and assistance. Mauricio has a love of the arts, and enjoys classical music, he is also an accomplished artist.

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 us at conservation presentations throughout the southern region and acts in an advisory capacity for us at The Ara Project

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 The Ara Project 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 The Ara Project (formerly 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 education for 2 years and she now works with us in an advisory capacity. Fiona has since returned to London to continue her studies for a Masters degree.

Jorge Hernandez

An important part of MINAE, Jorge is in charge of the co-ordination of a large wildlife area. Jorge gained a BSc in Biology at the University of Costa Rica and a Licensiatura in Biology degree at the National University in Heredia. He also studied in Spain and gained a Masters in Cites at the University of Andalusia in Spain. Jorge has a passion for conservation and an even larger passion for football …. Costa Rica of course.

Minor Gonzales & Sandra Arietta

Employed at MINAET, Minor and Sandra provide much needed help, support, guidance and working feasibility with The Ara Project. Minor has cited The Ara Project in several representations abroad, as a respected project within Costa Rica.

Dr. Matthew Bond

Veterinary Surgeon and Advisor to Amigos de las Aves.

Matthew originates from the UK, but currently has a successful practice in Miami. He has recently been adding additional skills to his cv of Holistic Medicine and Acupuncture in animals. Matthew has worked and specialised in birds for many years, working at ABRC. He has been a staunch supporter of us for many years and his knowledge is invaluable. He loves the countryside and breeds dogs.

Dr. Adrienne Allison

Adrienne has been in integral part of us for many years. She qualified at North Carolina State University and now teaches veterinary students. She works as an emergency veterinary surgeon and also a relief veterinary surgeon in South Carolina. Adrienne specialises in avian and equine medicine. Her hobbies are horse back riding, hiking and scuba diving, and of course birds in Costa Rica!

The Exotic Bird Hospital Inc. Jacksonville, Florida.

Rhoda Stevenson, DVM and her devoted staff, offer much needed specialist avian advice and assistance at any hour! She has offered her expertise and dedication to us at a moments notice and despite her very packed daily schedule has always found time to help.

Dr. Marcial Arrietta

Veterinarian

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, specializing in birds. Dr. Arrietta continues to support The Ara Project.

Amos Bien

Population Ecologist

Founding President of Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge & Reserve in the north central valley, possibly the first eco-lodge in Costa Rica and director at La Selva for two years. Amos is now director of International Programs under the International Ecotourism Society and a country representative to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development.

Alonso Hernandez

Computer expert.

Rescuer of all “operator finger troubles”.

Leonie

Leo has been working with us for many a year.

She is passionate about animals and helps us with translations and taking care of our dogs and cats, and can generally be found running around for us when we are short staffed!

Jorge Araya

Accountant for Amigos de las Aves.

Putting all the figures together.

John Brice and Alejandra Beirute

Our website people! From Italy and the UK!

Putting it all together

The Workers!…….

we couldn’t do this without them!

Amigos de las Aves and the official Release Programs of Amigos de las Aves in Costa Rica, www.amigosdelasavescostarica.org and www.hatchedtoflyfree.org are not affiliated or associated with any other company, organisation or association, by name or in any other country.