Earlier this month, the Oncilla Conservation team headed to the Talamanca Mountains for a very important field expedition. The objective is clear, to study and monitor the populations of wild mice and other small mammals, the Oncilla’s favorite prey.
A total of 20 captures of 3 different species of mice were made, with Peromyscus nudipes being the most abundant. In addition, camera traps were set up to help us better understand habitat use by small cats, and to associate this with the data on small mammals found in these expeditions. In fact, data from a station located southeast of the Talamanca Range indicate 11 records of oncilla. Who knows what surprises we will have at the end of this study!
“I hiked several kilometers up the mountain from 1500 to 2000 meters above sea level for a week straight, carrying the weight of 60 Sherman traps and equipment, enduring mosquito bites, being eaten by red squirrels and other insects that love to get in your eyes as you walk. Despite this, I remembered why I love what I do so much.”
– José Daniel Ramírez Fernández Coordinator and
researcher of Oncilla Conservation.
Traveling north in the Guanacaste Mountain Range, the Nai Conservation team, with the Jícaro Danto restoration project, conducted new expeditions in the northern sector of Miravalles National Park. Fresh samples were obtained for analysis of the genetic status of the population of this endangered tree species. These exploratory tours have a reach beyond their objective since we continue to find pleasant surprises, thanks to the observation by one of our interns of a little known and difficult to observe frog. More details in our next publications.
