Cursos de primatología en Costa Rica

T.R.E.E. (Tropical Research in Ecology & Ethology)
announces two field-based primate courses in Costa Rica
for the summer of 2008. Courses are for undergraduate and
graduate students interested in primate field work.

Course 1 (June 5 - July 5): Primate Behavior and Ecology
will be taught at the Refugio de Vida Silvestre Curú
Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
This course is designed to teach undergraduate and
graduate students the basic skills necessary to study
primates in the wild. Throughout this course you will
learn techniques in ecological and behavioral data
collection and complete an independent study on one of
three primate species native to the area (Ateles
geoffroyi, the black handed spider monkey; Cebus
capucinus, the white-faced capuchin; Alouatta palliata,
the mantled howler monkey).
To encourage cooperation and collaboration with
local Costa Rican scholars and students, a Spanish
language teacher will be on hand for Spanish lessons
during the course. Participation in lessons is expected
from all students. Accommodations are rustic cabins each
equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and solar power. Cabins
are located just off of the beach area inside the reserve.
The beach area is ideal for swimming and snorkeling
following hard days in the field.
A portion of each student tuition will fund a Costa
Rican student in need for one full year of high school.
Our hope is this connection will foster a relationship
between the field school and local students, encouraging
them to study tropical ecology and work towards
conservation in their own community.
Course cost is $2100 USD and includes instruction,
all in-country travel associated with the course or side
trip(s), room and board (minus breakfast) at the site,
Spanish immersion, tuition for a high school student in
Costa Rica, and up to two short side trips. You can check
out the site by going to these links:
http://www.nicoyapeninsula.com/curu/ and or
http://www.curuwildliferefuge.com

Course 2 (July 5th - July 16th): Censusing Wild Primates.
An optional 10 day advanced course in applied primate
census techniques will be offered for interested students.
Students will work along-side our research team locating,
tracking, censusing and identifying wild primates
(capuchins, howlers, spider monkeys) living in a portion
of the Tortuguero National Park. This course will be a
great adjunct to the Curu course as the monkeys living
here have not been observed before. Accommodations will be
beach-side at a private hotel adjacent to the park.
Swimming in the ocean is restricted here due to rip-tides;
but the hotel has a nice pool and includes three wonderful
family-style meals per day. Email us for costs and more
detailed information.

Qualifications for all courses:
A cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.5 is required for all
applicants. Eligibility will be based on a review of the
submitted application form (see websites). Proof of travel
and health insurance is required.

Application Deadlines:

April 5th, 2008 (negotiable with pre-approval): A
non-refundable deposit of $200 is due on April 5th.
May 1, 2008: Proof of insurance (travel and medical),
liability waiver, medical form.
May 15th, 2008: The remainder of the course fees ($1900)
are due

Contact Information:

Dr. Joachim Department of Psychology, Univeristy of New
Mexico lfjoachim@comcast.net
Gráinne McCabe, M.A. University of Texas at San Antonio
grainne.mccabe@utsa.edu