El Zota Biological Field Station is located in Northeastern Costa Rica near the Barro del Colorado reserve ( view map ).  It includes approximately 1000 hectares (over 2470 acres) of lowland rainforest that hosts an abundance of native fauna and flora.  This station is among the largest of its kind in Costa Rica, and is home to the most diverse array of native wildlife to be found on any station of its kind in the country.  Habitats include lowland rain forest, lowland swamp forest, pastureland and reforested areas of monospecific stands of trees used for timber and paper.  A small river and several freshwater lagoons (ponds) are found within the boundaries of the property.

The field station is owned by a Costa Rican family, Hiner Ramirez, and is part of a research area utilized by the Fundacion Neotropical in Costa Rica whose primary interests center on reforestation and sustainable forest use. The majority of the property is natural forest (~700 ha), but parts of the station were originally cattle ranch. The current owners, in an effort to utilize the land in a more ecologically friendly fashion, have converted many acres of pastureland to a functional tree farm that produces both native and exotic trees for harvest as a means of sustainable use of the land. In addition, the entire property is currently being used as a biological research station so that the natural portions of it can be conserved as undisturbed forest.

The station is designed to allow students to learn techniques that can be used in field research on ecological, behavioral and conservation questions in the tropics, and in so doing, to conserve the property of the research station. The field school curriculum is designed by a group of seasoned faculty from various Universities. Together, all parties would like to conserve and promote conservation of land and its inhabitants in this portion of Costa Rica.

Some of our wildlife:

Although there is an inevitable loss of some of the biodiversity from regions in which rain forest has been fragmented, the large size of the remaining forest patch at El Zota means that most of the species typical of the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica still remain at the site. Tree diversity is high, with good populations of magnificent emergent hard-woods, such as the almendro, which are threatened by the lumber industry. There are also high numbers of white faced capuchins, mantled howling monkeys and the threatened black-handed spider monkeys. Amongst the mammals, visitors may also see coatis, armadillos, tayras (large members of the weasel family), Neotropical river otters, agoutis and tent bats. Much more elusive, and detected most often by their tracks, are members of the cat family and the tapir (‘danta’ in Spanish).

The bird list for El Zota is continually growing and, as well as the widespread and flamboyant species like toucans, motmots and parrots, some highly endangered species are also present, such as the great green macaw (see next section) and the ornate hawk eagle. Reptiles and amphibians are abundant at the station, and include the brown caiman, green iguana, basilisks, terciopelo, bushmaster, two species of boa, three species of poison dart frog and many tree frog and rain frog (Eleutherodactylus) species.

DANTA, El Zota and the Great Green Macaw Ara ambigua:

We are delighted at DANTA that the El Zota Biological Station is still the home of some highly charismatic, but sadly severely threatened, rain forest species. Tapirs browse along the trails, ocelots and jaguars are elusive denizens of the deep forest, and the raucous cries of great green macaws can still be heard almost daily as they fly overhead. The macaws in particular have been the focus of great concern over the past few years. According to a report by the Rainforest Biodiversity Group, (http://www.greatgreenmacaw.org) these magnificent birds have undergone a precipitous decline in numbers recently, such that Costa Rica probably now holds no more than a remnant population of 25 to 35 breeding pairs, all located in the north-east of the country. The species ranges from Honduras to Ecuador, but is faring badly everywhere, and is listed as endangered in Appendix I of CITES.

Climate:

The weather on the Caribbean slope is generally hot and humid during the day and cooler and breezy at night. The year-round average temperature is about 80°F, with coldest temperatures at about 70°F and highs reaching 90°F. Even though you can expect plenty of sun, our summer field courses do fall in the rainy season so prepare accordingly. Note that you are likely to experience quite different weather patterns if your course incorporates excursions to other regions of Costa Rica, so please keep this in mind when packing (in particular, it can be quite chilly at night in the mountains).

Station Accommodations:

The accommodation at the field station is rustic (cement or wooden dormitories), but clean and comfortable. There is room for approximately 25 students in bunk beds, and for three faculty in semi-private rooms. There is roughly one bathroom with shower and flush toilet for every six people. There are two lecture areas, with one doubling as a laboratory. Other amenities include a dining hall and a 'pulperia' (small store). Electricity is provided by generator for at least 6 hours per evening .   DANTA staff will wash clothes for you for about $2 a load. Outdoor basins are available if you prefer to wash your clothes by hand. Laundry detergent can be purchased at the pulperia.

Safety Features:

At DANTA, we take safety very seriously. The buildings at the El Zota field station are equipped with the latest safety features (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, portable stretchers, etc) and students and other visitors are presented with a thorough list of rules and regulations in order to minimize the chance of accidents occurring either inside or outside of the forest. Furthermore, despite its remote location, we are confident that the station is able to deal with any medical problems should they arise. All staff members have received up-to-date first aid training. If an emergency situation should ever occur, the station has arranged for a helicopter, in association with the Red Cross, to carry out a speedy evacuation. We are pleased to be able to report that the use of the helicopter has never been needed at El Zota, but it is reassuring that it is available just in case.

Meals:

Meals are provided in a communal dining area and include a varied sample of local cuisine. Meals are provided at 7:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 6:00 pm. Fresh fruit is available between meals. Snacks can be purchased at the pulperia. If you have a favorite snack, we suggest that you bring that with you.

Research Opportunities:

El Zota Biological Field Station offers excellent opportunities for field research to scientists from academic and other institutions in the US and abroad. The station has the facilities and logistical support to facilitate independent field research. The site would be an excellent resource for studying rain forest ecology, forest restoration, wildlife monitoring and management, and behavioral ecology. For a description of past research projects at El Zota, view here.

All research projects must meet the approval of DANTA's research committee. Standard fees are $25 a day for full room and board, but the fee is negotiable depending of length of stay.

if you are interested in conducting research at El Zota Biological Field Station, please contact us for more information.

DANTA: Association for Conservation of the Tropics

PO Box 316

DAVENPORT, NY

607-278-9619

kdingess@danta.info