Support from the Frisius family

Carol and her husband Jerry have been in Costa Rica now for the past three months, and plans are afoot for Carol to return next month. Not only is Carol giving much needed support to her father, but she has been instrumental in supporting Amigos de las Aves and the HatchedtoFlyFree Trust and has already become involved in the day to day workings of this wonderful conservation project. Funding being one of her main areas of expertise, as well as reconnecting with many supporters and friends.

Family and friends have been crucial for Richard at this time and more family are scheduled to spend time here. Margot's legacy will continue!,

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What a lovely surprise

The "Docent Council" at Philadelphia Zoo have kindly supported Amigos de las Aves this year. Volunteers, some of long standing, work tirelessly at Philadelphia Zoo within the education and interpretation areas, on a daily basis. Come rain or shine, there is always someone to answer your questions!

They raise funding between them during the year and then select just one project to donate to, and this year Amigos was lucky! So thank you all for your kindness and support, it is much appreciated.

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Facebook

Amigos de las Aves is soon to have its own Facebook - so watch this space for more information - coming soon.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
150 years!

Philadelphia Zoo celebrates is 150th birthday this year. Philadelphia is America's First Zoo and very proud of it too. What a wonderful achievement! So Happy Birthday!

In fact, there is lots going on there this year. The new McNeil Avian Centre is scheduled to open in May, with Hyacinth Macaws getting themselves are new home there. Amanda Egen who came and lent us support over Christmas, will also have a section of photos of her trip here to Amigos.

There are some new arrivals there too at the moment, the most graceful Addax with their stunning twisted horns are on display, and some new Ostriches join the zoo this year too. These will be the first Ostriches at the zoo since 1994, so a welcome return. The birds are quite amazing and as a keeper working with ostriches, you need to keep your eyes open as these birds can knock you out with one kick! They have a real charismatic personality and eyelashes to die for!

So make sure you visit when you on the east coast or just check out their website: www.philadelphiazoo.org

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Bees threaten Great Greens

An extremely large swarm of bees deceided to land on the main door of the Green Great aviary this month. The swarm was about 1.5 feet long and about 1 foot in diameter. Recent reports in the area have mentioned that a few animals have died from bee stings, so we didn't want to take any chances.

We called out the Fire Brigade! They responded really quickly and with usual Costa Rican flair - erected a make shift ladder and sprayed the bees with liquid oxygen.

So big thanks to the Alajuela Fire Department, our birds are safe once more!

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And talking of safety...

We found this wrapped around the base of the main aviary the other day - according to the local staff, this is known as 'the rat snake' sabanera lets hope that's all he was looking for!

 

 

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Earthquake

There we were, minding our own business eating lunch when all of a sudden everything started to move. Scary!

Weather has been changing over the last couple of years or so here in Costa Rica, rains when there shouldn't be, cold winds and chill in the summer, many overcast days when we should have sunshine, and although small tremors of earthquakes are expected here, this recent quake turned out to be devastating.

The houses rattled, the earth moved, the birds were screeching and the dogs were trying to hide under any old leaf, but thank goodness once the quake stopped everyone went back to normal here at Amigos.

The epicenter of the 6.2 quake was around Poas and sadly many did not fare so well, especially La Paz Waterfall Gardens, whose animals were moved after a large second tremor proved too threatening. Many people sadly lost their lives, and Alajuela, Heredia and San Jose were put on National Alert. The Red Cross immediately went into action and local people were collecting supplies which were being delivered to the Red Cross for distribution.

Homes were destroyed and lives of humans and animals have been displaced. If you think you can help - then please contact the Red Cross. www.cruzroja.or.cr they will be really grateful for any donation, material or otherwise, that you offer.

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Film crew

A French film crew arrived on our doorstep this month. Sebastien Cotos and his crew have been filming at the Refuge and the Breeding Centre. Sebastien is currently working on a conservation project, which he hopes to promote once editing is completed. He has been spending several weeks in Costa Rica visiting different projects for inclusion.

Amigos de las Aves will feature prominently in the film for its efforts within Costa Rican Conservation.

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Screens for breeding aviaries

RDE Ing SA in Costa Rica, has come to the rescue again, and provided us with much needed new screening for the breeding aviaries. The screens have been made in the past of bamboo, but they do not las too long, only one or two seasons at most, so these plastic screens will give the birds much needed privacy and will last abit longer. So again our thanks go to RDE Ing SA, supporting conservation in Costa Rica.

 

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Our latest volunteer in Tiskita!

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Joining the team - a new biologist

Fernanda Hong joins our team and she will provide us with a valuable addition of local knowledge and expertise.

Fernanda is part of the family of our biggest supporters here in Costa Rica, the Beirute Family, and has long been coming to volunteer here. She is a dedicated conservationist and like the rest of her family, passionate about Costa Rica wildlife!

She will be travelling to Tiskita with our next release and will be working closely with Allan and Ilona to collect data at the site.