In January/February 2015, the EDGE Programme delivered its fifth EDGE Conservation Tools Training Course at Caño Palma Biological Station, Costa Rica. The course was attended by eleven participants. Eight participants were successfully awarded EDGE Fellowships.
Welcome to Costa Rica
Each year, as part of the EDGE Fellowship programme, ZSL runs an EDGE Conservation Tools training course, bringing together early-career conservationists from around the globe working on mammal, amphibian, bird and coral EDGE species. © Cassandra Murray/ZSL
EDGE Conservation Tools training course 2015
In January 2015, eight international participants joined experts from ZSL for four action packed weeks of intensive training in the tools required to design, implement and manage successful conservation projects. This year it was based at the very beautiful Cano Palma Biological Station in Costa Rica (www.coterc.org). © Olivia Couchman / ZSL
In the classroom
Through a series of lectures, hands-on practicals and assessments, participants were taught four core modules: the principles of conservation biology, ecological monitoring, social science surveying techniques and applied conservation action. © Kirsty Richards / ZSL
Natures alarm clock
The Costa Rican wildlife kept a tight schedule. Early morning calls from the howler monkeys ensured we were all awake at the crack of dawn. © Kahlil Panopio / ZSL
Lights, camera, ACTION!
The Costa Rican wildlife kept a tight schedule. Early morning calls from the howler monkeys ensured we were all awake at the crack of dawn. © Kahlil Panopio / ZSL
Practical training
Being surrounded by reptiles and amphibians on camp provided a lot of opportunities for the participants to gain hands on training in herpetological survey techniques. This involved species identification and disease swabbing © Olivia Couchman / ZSL
Amphibian paradise
Strawberry poison dart frogs were abundant on camp; keeping the amphibian course participants (and others!) entertained © Olivia Couchman / ZSL
Careful where you step...
The jungle catches Alfredo unaware. Emptying a wet boot was a regular occurrence during the evening amphibian and reptile surveys © Olivia Couchman / ZSL
Small mammal surveys
Early each morning the Sherman traps, which were baited the night before, were checked for small mammals. The animals were identified and measured by the Fellows before being released back into the wild. © Kirsty Richards / ZSL
Fellows present their projects
Each of the course participants delivered a presentation on their projects. Esteban from Costa Rica teaches the group about his focal species, Baird’s tapir. © Olivia Couchman / ZSL
Camera trapping
Camera trap surveys being showcased by the ZSL team © Kirsty Richards / ZSL
The wetter the better
Turns out it rains a lot in the rainforest. Kahlil gives up on his wellies and chooses a kayak to navigate around camp © Kirsty Richards / ZSL
14 nationalities!
A rare opportunity to have so many different nationalities all in the same place. A great place to learn about other cultures and conservation! ©Olivia Couchman / ZSL
Bird surveys
Bird surveys were a new addition to this year’s course. Due to the release of last year’s EDGE bird list we now have our first ever EDGE bird Fellows. © Kahlil Panopio / ZSL
Graduation celebrations!
All of the participants successfully completed the training course and were presented with certificates to mark their achievements. The EDGE team is now working with the course participants to support and develop their projects. If you are interested in attending the next training course and becoming an EDGE Fellow, please contact fellows@edgeofexistence.org. © Kirsty Richards / ZSL