Yesterday we finally managed to visit a local attraction, which everyone seems to like quite a bit. It’s called Zoo Ave [bird zoo] and it isn’t really a zoo and it’s not all about birds either – despite its name. It’s a countrywide non-profit organization dedicated to rescue and rehabilitate wild animals, mostly forest creatures so that they might be re-introduced into their natural habitats, if at all possible. About 45% of the rescued animals belong to endangered species. They often come to Zoo Ave after border police confiscate illegal shipments of protected animals, especially parrots. But individuals also bring injured or found wildlife to Zoo Ave. The Fundación Restauración de la Naturaleza or Zoo Ave receives three animals per day on average. From 2008 to 2011 they rescued well over 3000 animals in their three locations across Costa Rica.
Many school children make class trips to the zoo
Ara ararauna, Linnaeus 1758, Psittacidae
Ara macao, Linnaeus 1758, Psittacidae
Pulsatrix perspicillata, Latham 1790, Strigidae
Amazona autumnalis, Linnaeus 1758, Psittacidae
most likely A. a. autumnalis because of the bright yellow under-eye patch
At this point I should mention that, with the exception of the peafowl, the animals live in runs or cages, depending on how much protection both they and the visitors need. The runs are designed as ‘sections’ of jungle forests, just as the individual beasties might encounter naturally. In most instances gawking humans are kept at quite a distance so that we actually only saw a certain percentage of the animals currently treated by the foundation. Especially snakes & iguanas were pretty much invisible, and many birds perched so high up that we couldn’t make out much detail. Certainly a healthy set-up for the animals. And for us, it transformed this visit to Zoo Ave into a magical hike through a tropical rainforest. Especially, since one is constantly surrounded by the animal’s vocalizations, the swooshing of wind gusts through the trees and the pattern of rain on the canopy. But this scenario is not so conducive for picture taking. Tough luck! All my snaps were taken with a zoom lens without the steadying benefit of a tripod, which I was too lazy to bring along. Instead, I knelt on muddy, rain-moist ground, contorting ridiculously to manually focus on moving objects. Auto-focus wouldn’t work owing to the fencing everywhere and intruding foliage.
Rhinoclemmys funerea, Cope 1875, Geoemydidae
There are at least 10 synonyms for R. funerea, I guess consensus on what’s what is still out.
Rhinoclemmys funerea, Cope 1875, Geoemydidae
Dendrocygna autumnalis, Linnaeus 1758, Anatidae
Dendrocygna autumnalis, Linnaeus 1758, Anatidae
Balearica regulorum, Bennett 1834, Gruidae
since there are no swan species represented in Central America
Cygnus olor, Gmelin 1789, Anatidae
Keel-billed Toucan – these are the toucans we see around our house
Ramphastos sulfuratus, Lesson 1830, Ramphastidae
Crocs have an impressive presence in CR rivers & brackish wetlands & salt water. They can be twice as long as a caiman. One tells them apart by their snouts and lower canine teeth.
Croc: pointy snout, lower canine showing (see image)
Caiman: broadly rounded snout, lower canine hidden in upper jaw socket
Crocodylus acutus, Cuvier 1807, Crocodyidae
The only CR raptor with a totally white back.
Pseudoastur albicollis costaricensis, Latham 1790, Accipitridae
[synonym: Leucopternis albicollis]
It was sitting on top of an aviary AND moving away from me, that sneaky little bastard
(actually not so little, they can grow to over 2m/80+”)
I didn’t even notice it until Barry pointed it out to me. the only iguana we sort-of-saw.
Iguana iguana, Linnaeus 1758, Iguanidae
I’ve since learned that this is Zingiber zerumbet or Shampoo ginger. Thanks, Christine, for the I.D! Women in Hawaii use the gel of the ripe fruit to condition their hair to shiny perfection.
Choloepus hoffmanni hoffmanni, Peters 1858, Megalonychidae
This is the second largest cat in CR. Only the Jaguar, Panthera onca, is larger.
Puma concolor costaricensis, Merriam 1901, Felidae
I’ve always been intrigued by this forest cat and this was the first time I actually saw one. It lifted it’s head when a group of children walked by so I could see its face. They’re more night active, so you rarely ever catch one in action. Because their front paws are noticeably bigger than the rear paws, they’re called ‘manigordo’ in CR. That means fat hand.
Not exactly elegant, eh?
Leopardus pardalis aequatorialis, Linnaeus 1758, Felidae
Pecari tajacu, Linnaeus 1758, Tayassuidae
I guess their food supply of insects is never-ending.
Nephila clavipes, Linnaeus 1767, Nephilidae
Callithrix jacchus, Linnaeus 1758, Callitrichidae
Tinamus major fuscipennis, Salvadori 1895, Tinamidae
[Synonym: Tetrao major, Gmelin 1789]
This guy was ever so busy. Hopping, flying, crouching – a riot to watch. He was also visited by a ‘free’ buddy and I hope, he’ll be ready for release soon!
Pteroglossus franzii, Cabanis 1861, Ramphastidae
Ramphastos sulfuratus, Lesson 1830, Ramphastidae
Calocitta formosa, Swainson 1827, Corvidae
and their picture adorns my preferred local coffee brand “El Caucel” *
Leopardus wiedii, Schinz 1821, Felidae
Leopardus wiedii, Schinz 1821, Felidae
Margays are smaller than ocelots but have longer legs & tails. They live entirely arboreal, most spending their whole lives exclusively hunting in trees. They can turn their ankles 180º and, like cloud leopards, descend trees head first. They’re extremely agile, being able to grasp branches with either front or hind leg, anchor themselves with just one paw and jump horizontally for 4m. Wiki says, there has been one report of a margay cat mimicking the sound of a tamarin monkey to lure his prey to him. Awesome!!
And this awesome poster reminds guys to buy Viagra, rather than steal protected turtle eggs!
Cebus capucinus, Linnaeus 1758, Cebidae, Primates
possibly subspecies C. c. imitator, Thomas 1903
Unfortunately, they don’t show themselves in our area.
Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii, Gould 1833, Ramphastidae
In CR they’re called ‘pavón norteño’ northern peacock or ‘hocofaisán’ hoco (? No idea what that means) pheasant.
Crax rubra, Linnaeus 1758, Cracidae
hard to catch their faces!
Crax rubra, Linnaeus 1758, Cracidae
Another bird indigenous to Asia, maybe a rescued escapee from a private estate?
Lophura nycthemera, Linnaeus 1758, Phasianidae
Whoever thinks that peahens are drab, never really looked at one!
Pavo cristatus, Linnaeus 1758, Phasianidae
Pavo cristatus, Linnaeus 1758, Phasianidae, Galliformes
