Electrocuted howler monkey – September 7Kids Saving The Rainforest received a call earlier this week of an electrocuted howler monkey in the Villa Lirio area. A KSTR ambulance responded but the howler had left prior to our arrival. We searched the area and were unable to locate it. The neighbor who called (Inigo) was concerned about the electrocutions and said they happen weekly in the area. Inigo said he wanted to sponsor a wildlife bridge and was put in contact with Jennifer at KSTR. The power company ICE was contacted the same day. The following day KSTR received another call from Inigo of a second electrocuted howler monkey at the same spot. Our ambulance arrived to find ICE employees on scene installing the wildlife bridge. The second adult howler was on the ground in front of Canyon Verde. As our ambulance driver neared the howler with a kennel and other equipment, the howler climbed up the fence near where it was laying on the ground. An ICE employee lowered a tree branch and the howler quickly jumped into the tree. It appeared to be strong again as it jumped from tree to tree. Both of these monkeys were electrocuted by the 110v lines which delivered a lesser shock than the higher powered lines. It is believed they were both stunned from the falls and were possibly in shock from a combination of the shocks and falls. Inigo continues to be very involved with KSTR and we are looking at installing more wildlife bridges in the area. This area has some power lines that are not insulated and continue to be a danger to the wildlife. Thank you Inigo for bringing this big problem to our attention and ICE for their quick response. KSTR will continue to be vigilant in the Villa Lirio area. Daisy The Duck – September 7Little Daisy, the black-bellied whistling duck, came in at just 23 grams, after being found alone away from her family. She was growing up really fast and doing well, but she needed to be with other ducks, so she could have the best chance for a proper rehabilitation and release...so now she has been moved where she can socialize with other ducks! We will miss her and wish her the best of ‘duck’! ITV NEWS article – September 12ITV News: Costa Rican children saving the planet one tree at a time. Click here to view the article and video on their website Associated Press Visit – September 13The Associated Press (AP) came to visit Kids Saving the Rainforest. Click here for a summary and video on Youtube DW GLOBAL video – September 13DW Global: Children saving the rainforest in Costa Rica Click here to view the video on Facebook Luna – September 14Luna is getting to be a proper raccoon these days! She is still pretty clumsy & needs assistance with feeding & toileting for a little longer, but she is making great progress! Photo credits: Lis Penhearow Click here to view on Facebook Bloomberg NEWS video - September 15Bloomberg TicToc: Kids Plant 10,000 Trees Click here to view the video on their website UN ENVIRONMENT Press release - SEPTEMBER 20Costa Rica named ‘UN Champion of the Earth’ for pioneering role in fighting climate change Click here to view the article on their website Rainforest 5k Run
Come and run with us. For every person who participates we will plant a tree.
Vengan a correr por el bosque. Por cada corredor q participe sembraremos un árbol. Click here to view on Facebook
0 Comments
 Are you familiar with the term ‘Rainforest’?
As a name suggests, it is a type of forest that gets a lot of rain. And, such forests are immensely important for our entire planet. In simple words, these forests are known as ‘Rainforest’s’ because they receive tons of rainfall every year. Did your kid have an idea about this fascinating ecosystem? And, is he or she wondering to know how these forests affect the food that we consume? Well, there are lots of things that every individual need to know about Rainforests. Well, in this post, we are decided to list some incredible facts about Rainforests for kids. But, before knowing about these, you should be aware of some actual terms of these forests. What Are Rainforests? A rainforest is a type of forest that gets a high quantity of rains every year and its area is warm, wet, and woodland. According to optimistic studies, the forest gets more than 80 inches (approximately 2000 millimetres) of rain within a single year. Most rainforests are located in Brazil, and some you can find in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia. According to Biologists, over half of all plant and animal species are found in the rainforest. The Experts of Pharmaceuticals says, more than ¼ of all medicines are an extract from these forests. Types Of Rainforests: There are only two main types of rainforests that are: · Temperate Rainforests · Tropical Rainforests Temperate Rainforests: Well, these types of rainforests are located between the tropics and the polar circles of the Earth. You can found such forests in a couple of regions around the globe like western North America, south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. You can find different types of animals at temperate rainforests like bears, grey wolves, Siberian tigers, snow leopards pumas (mountain lion), kangaroos and wombats. Tropical Rainforests: Such types of rainforests are located in the tropics. You can found them in the specific areas that close to the equator such as Asia, Africa, Central America and the Pacific Islands. There you can find animals such as jaguar, monkey, leopard, parrot, iguana, chimpanzee, gorilla, Indian cobra, and orangutan etc. If you want to track a high school GPA of your child, then visit calculator-online.net to utilize GPA calculator. You can monitor high school GPA within a couple of seconds with the ease of this tool. Facts About Rainforests For Kids: Read on! · The 4 square mile patch of rainforest are covered with 150 species of butterflies, 400 species of birds, 1500 flowering, and 750 species of trees · The trees of tropical rainforests are amazingly covered with canopy as the rains falling can take maximum 10 minutes to reach the surface of the ground · Except for Antarctica, rainforests are found around all the continents of the earth, because the environment of Antarctica is too cold · There are more than 6 million square miles of the rainforest, but less than half of that found around the world because of deforestation. Studies found that, if this deforestation continues in the same way, then only 5-10 species will go lost within 10 years · The IUFRO found that there are around 80% of the flowers which are found in the rainforests of Australia and aren’t found anywhere else throughout the globe · Around the tropical rainforest, the insects found which create the majority of the living creatures · According to Geographical studies, several tribes in Brazil still live in the rainforests, and these tribes don’t have any contact with the outside world. The people of these tribes are dependent on these forests to fulfil their daily needs · The fascinating fact is that the tropical rainforest supply the bulk amounts of oxygen that we take in our daily lives · According to optimistic research, rainforests are the legit source that maintains our entire provision of safe drinking water. We get 1/5th part of the freshwater through the tropical rainforests. The Amazon basin is the exact source! · An expert says, there are around 70% of the plants found in Amazon rainforest that can assist in treating cancer. Additionally, the U.S. Cancer Institute declares that these plants are highly effective and utilized to treat the cancer · The Rainforest of Amazon is too large; if this forest were a country, then studies show that this become the 9th largest country of the world · There are migratory birds are live in the rainforest during winter, and these birds come back in summer and spring region · The rainforests which are located in Europe have 570 species of butterfly, and the forest of Peru only has 1300 species of butterflies · Studies found that there are some rainforests around the globe which gets over 100 inches of rainfall nearly every year · In Tasmania rainforest, some pine trees are found that can live up to 2000 years Layers of Rainforests: There are four layers of rainforest mentioned below: · Emergent Layer · Canopy Layer · Understory Layer · Forest Floor What Do People get From Rainforests? There are ample of things that we get from the Rainforest that includes: · Chocolate · Medicines · Sugar · Spices such as ginger, coconut, allspice, pepper, cinnamon, paprika, clove, and vanilla · Bamboo · Rubber How can you help the rainforest: You can help the rainforest by choosing eco friendly products, lowering your meat intake, buying local organic produce, using products with out palm oil,and donating to charities like ours that work hard everyday to protect and take care of the rainforest and the animals that live in it. To donate please click on this link. Every amount helps. We were picked up at the airport and driven to our destination, stopping for coffee and to see the crocodiles sunning themselves on the river banks. A wonderful beginning. We arrived at the Blue Banyan Inn, KSTR, animal rescue where we were welcomed by Mackenzie, one of the amazing staff, who showed us to our cottage (very cute, comfortable beds, toilet, shower). He then showed us around the grounds and the sanctuary. We couldn't wait to start working!
We came back to an absolutely delicious lunch, including of course rice and beans, fresh fruit and vegetables etc. The whole staff sat together with volunteers. There were 5 volunteers the four of us and a girl from Scotland who became our very close friend. Chip and Jennifer, who started the whole project were incredibly warm, welcoming and energetic. Work started early the next morning after (the best) banana pancakes, eggs, fruit, coffee and orange juice served by Chip himself. We cleaned and scrubbed cages, took out and washed all the dirty bowls, swept the stuck leaves of the paths in the sanctuary, prepared food, and learned about the animals. We were all there for them and we fell in love! Cooling off in the gorgeous pool, watching and discovering everything. The fruits, the trees, the flowers, the birds, the iguanas, the spiders and the myriad of butterflies like flowers in the air, constantly around us. Excellent buffet all together and back to work for the afternoon. We met and became friends with the most amazing, interesting and passionate people. Volunteering at the KSTR table at Manuel Antonio Park was a whole new experience. A totally new way of life. We were free after to explore the park and the beaches. No words! On the last day Chip insisted we go on a Catamaran for a morning of dolphins, snorkeling, totally unexpected delicious lunch, and slides into the ocean. It was very difficult to leave. Time seems to go at a different pace there. A week feels like two. I think we had about 5 mosquito bites between us and loved the weather, though hot and humid, with beautiful rain late afternoon. We all cannot wait foe our next adventure with you. By Karma Casey Greetings Quepolandia readers! Its Karma, the Kids Saving the Rainforest spokes- kid. This month’s article is about a VERY special someone. Have you ever heard of a sloth named Speedy?! (Some of you may know him by his nickname, Jorge.) Well, Speedy is a very unique two toed sloth who has just graduated from Boot Camp, KSTR’s pre-release area where sloths like Speedy learn how to climb trees and forage on their own to get ready for their release back into the wild. After a long journey here at KSTR, Speedy was just triumphantly set free back into his rainforest home! Let me tell you his story. Speedy was rescued when he was only a few months old. He was tiny, only a kilogram! He had fallen from a tree near the Makanda Hotel in Manuel Antonio. Poor Speedy! The people at the hotel quickly called in the KSTR team. After a checkup by the veterinarian, KSTR attempted to reunite Speedy with his mother. But sadly, while the hopeful team waited and waited while Speedy hung at a low branch in the tree where the mother was, and called out to his mother, she ignored him. Really mom sloth!? The mother sloth never came down for her son, so the team was forced to bring him back to KSTR. This is quite common in sloths, and one of the reasons why it’s so important to have wildlife rescue efforts like Kids Saving the Rainforest. The KSTR nursery is often busy with orphans, like Speedy, and that’s where he was headed to next. A generous KSTR supporter named Nivea sponsored him, and that’s where he got his name! The nursery mom Dani, and the helpful interns of Kids Saving the Rainforest, fed Speedy day and night, but that’s definitely not all there is to taking care of these babies. They teach them to climb, teach them which leaves to eat. They even have to teach them how to poop!! The orphans also have medical issues that must be taken care of by the veterinary staff. Caring for these animals is very difficult, and that’s why it should always be done by wildlife professionals like the KSTR team. One day, when Speedy was climbing around in the small jungle gym outside the nursery at night, (since two-toeds like Speedy are nocturnal) something crazy happened. In the blink of an eye, one of the nursery interns, Emma, heard crazy hisses, and bangs, and other crazy noises coming from outside. She ran from inside the nursery, and she gasped at what she saw. A large male ocelot!! It was trying to attack Speedy from outside the cage! Emma quickly called on the radio for help. But to everyone’s astonishment nothing could stop Speedy the great and powerful! He had scared away the ocelot with his hissing and swiping of his sharp claws! The ocelot was fierce, but not fierce enough for Speedy! After that crazy experience, we knew Speedy was ready for any danger the dense jungle could bring him. As time passed, Speedy grew stronger and smarter as the days went on. He graduated from the nursery and moved on to rehab, and Boot Camp. Finally, the Kids Saving the Rainforest team was certain he was ready to be released into that dense jungle he had been preparing for his whole life. For months in preparation for this day, the KSTR team was researching and having a very special tracking collar made for Speedy. What is this you ask? With this tracking collar on Speedy, we can easily find him and make sure he is doing okay. With this, we can prove that you can release sloths successfully. You may not know, but many sanctuaries and rescue centers do not believe that sloths can be successfully rehabbed and released. Because of this, many get put into captivity. Here at KSTR, we want to give them the chance to be wild and free! We’ve released sloths successfully before, and now, with these tracking collars, we are going to collect important scientific data to show that yes, orphan sloths like Speedy can be raised by humans in a way that respects their wildness, and they can lead happy, successful lives, wild and free in the rainforest where they belong! I was privileged to join the dedicated KSTR team as we trekked into the jungle for Speedy’s soft release, the biggest moment in my two years here in Costa Rica as the Kids Saving the Rainforest spokeskid. We were all so ready for Speedy the great and powerful to be finally get his chance to be free. He had been through a lot, and he was ready. The veterinary and nursery team was there, and of course, Dani, who had helped since he was a little baby. He had arrived at KSTR just before I moved to Costa Rica, and now he was finally stepping out into the wide world where he belonged. We watched quietly from a respectful distance as Speedy slowly began to climb into a tree and make his way to freedom. It took him awhile, as sloths like to take their time about things, but finally Speedy made his way high into a tree! He reached out and climbed into another tree, then stopped when we hung high up in the dark trees above us as night began to fall. We walked out of the jungle, leaving Speedy to his newfound freedom. Thanks to that cool tracking collar and members of the KSTR team, including a biologist, we’ve been successfully tracking Speedy for awhile now. He is busy exploring his rainforest home, and has been moving through the trees wonderfully, at night, of course, which we know because he is moving from place to place. Everyone here is so thrilled, and I hope you are, too! This is what can happen when wildlife professionals work hard to rehabilitate and release animals who deserve the chance to be wild and free. Send well wishes to our friend Speedy, the great and powerful. Well, this wraps it up for this article. Remember, if you find injured or orphaned wildlife in the Manuel Antonio or Quepos area, send a WhatsApp us message to 88-ANIMAL. This goes right to the veterinary team, and they can come to the rescue! Read me next time!!  The Amazon, the world's largest rainforest, about half the size of the United States, is key to the health of the entire planet. Estimates show that almost 20% of the oxygen produced by the earth comes from the Amazon rainforest. It also puts a lot of water in the atmosphere at a time when cities are drying up. The Amazon is absorbing carbon and greenhouse gases while reducing rising temperatures. But now it is burning at record speed, with images of space showing the smoke that covers much of Brazil.
It is not the only major forest under assault. Nearly half of the world's forests that existed when humans began farming are now gone, and an additional 32 million acres are destroyed each year, according to the Rainforest Alliance, a nonprofit organization. The most important reason is the expansion of agriculture in forest areas. In Brazil, livestock, soybean production and logging, according to Nigel Sizer, tropical forest ecologist and program director of the Rainforest Alliance. "It is responsible for 80% to 90% of the loss of tropical forests worldwide." Environmental groups say that these activities can be slowed down or carried out in a much more sustainable way. "There have been many analyses and satellite data that show that there is already a lot of cleared land, many abandoned or very badly used and managed that we could use to grow food," says Sizer. "We don't need to cut down new forests to do this in Brazil." This is what you can do to help stop the loss of forests. Help reforestation and slow deforestation You can help reforest parts of the world through KSTR's Reforestation Project. Take steps to live sustainably As the main forests decrease in size, carbon and greenhouse gases have increased in the atmosphere. But you can help curb that trend. "Think about greenhouse gas emissions: drive less, buy a car that saves more fuel," says Sizer. He also recommends adjusting your thermostats only a couple of degrees. "It makes a big difference and also saves money." You can also buy carbon offsets. "If you have to fly often to go to work, you can buy these offsets by making a small contribution to an organization that is planting trees, absorbing the carbon that is emitted when you fly. These things really add up." About 20% of the Amazon has already been destroyed. "The most recent studies now says that if we deforest more than 30% to 40% of the Amazon rainforest, it will begin to dry up. We will pass an irreversible turning point." Jaguarundi Release DIA DEL FELINO SILVESTREI had the most amazing week, culminating with the best 2 second experience ever. I was driving on the 2-lane highway when I saw a wild cat, a jaguarundi, lying in the middle of the road. I stopped traffic both ways while our vet and a biologist brought him to the side of the road, palpating him to see if anything was broken.  Unable to obtain a box, we put him, unconscious, on a cardboard stretcher, and our vet rode in the backseat with him while I drove to the closest vet clinic. As we arrived, I hit a pothole, the jaguarundi came to, jumping wildly into the trunk.  It took 2 vets to contain him and get him out. It was apparent that he had been hit by a car so he was driven 1 ½ hours for exams weight measurements (5.52 kilos)
 Such a miracle, no broken bones!  He needed to recuperate from the accident and eat before we could release him. For 5 days we couldn't get him to eat anything. Inspiration struck, maybe if we fed him live animals he would eat. Jaguarundis are in danger of extinction so we had to try it.  We were ecstatic when he ate! We moved him into a large enclosure where he felt safer because he had a place to hide under this crate.  Finally on Earth Day we knew he was strong enough to go back to the wild without becoming prey. We took him back to the location where we found him, making sure he was way off the highway.  When releasing him we didn’t know what would happen. He was an amazing sight, he moved so fast he was a blur! Those were the most amazing 2 seconds of my life! He was wild and free again, as nature intended!
???
|
AuthorThe Kids Saving the Rainforest staff Archives
September 2019
|
Kids Saving the Rainforest
RSS Feed
|
|
Thank you for helping us to save the wildlife in the rainforest!