Wildlife Conservation Insights | Paso Pacifico Blog

Global Patterns of Marine Turtle Bycatch

A new study published in Conservation Letters provides the first global perspective of fisheries bycatch for marine turtles. According to the study, which is based on data collected across all methods of fishing around the world from 1990-2008, the total reported bycatch over the same period was approximately 85,0000 sea turtles. The authors acknowledge that, due to under reporting in smallscale fisheries, the actual number is likely higher. Smallscale fishing operations are common along the...

Wings Across America: 2010 Conservation Awards

International Cooperation Award: Bird Conservation Partnerships for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Sustainability in Mesoamerica Starting in 1996, the US Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry started training Nicaraguan university students and aspiring biologists, local NGO staff, and local community members in bird conservation methods and sustainable community-based tourism. The emphasis has been on migratory birds and tropical resident species, and the surrounding forest ecosystem. Programs have been designed to conserve...

Albino Howler Monkey

Our friends at Fauna & Flora International have spotted a rare albino howler monkey baby on Nicaragua's Ometepe Island. Yes, they have a photo on their website!

Baby Spider Monkey

Meet the youngest member of the Spider Monkey Sanctuary at Domitila Reserve.

Photos: OceanGybe Cleanup

Last week, we told you the OceanGybe crew was in Ostional to do a cleanup with local kids. Now that folks are back from the field, we have photos to share from the event.

Fire at La Flor

A few nights ago, there was a four-acre wildfire near Brasilon Beach within the La Flor Wildlife Refuge. Paso Pacifico rangers and the landowner guards put it out with very limited tools (machetes). We're told the MARENA Rangers arrived the next afternoon to check things out. We still have two more months of a very difficult dry season and need some basic firefighting tools (shovels, rakes, brooms, etc.) as soon as possible. You...

OceanGybe Global Research & Outreach Expedition

Today Paso Pacifico is doing a beach clean-up with local children from Ostional in coordination with OceanGybe, an expedition of Canadian surfers. They describe themselves as "surfers, sailors, and explorers" on "a voyage of exploration, research, and education." Their dream is "to circumnavigate the globe to document the state of the oceans and beaches we visit, search out the best waves and meet new people has become reality." We're excited to...

Update: Spider Monkey Sanctuary

You may recall we were involved in rescuing six spider monkeys. We're still looking for donations for the spider monkey sanctuary at the Domitila Wildlife Reserve, including the following items: kongs balls rope dog-toys plush animal non-electric infant or toddler toys metal bowls They can be mailed to our office: 872 E. Front, Suite 200, Ventura, CA 93001 Cash donations can be made on our website.

Nicaragua’s Spectral Bat

A question via Twitter: "Is it true that Nicaragua is home to the world's 2nd largest bat?" - Tours To Nicaragua (@NicaGuide) The answer is a qualified "yes." Nicaragua is home to the spectral bat, the largest known carnivorous bat, and a member of the megabat family. The largest of the "megabats" is the Giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus), a rare fruit bat whose wingspan can be almost six feet. Nicaragua's...

GoodSearch: An Easy Way to Raise Money for Paso Pacifico

Help Paso Pacifico every time you shop and search online by adding our new GoodSearch toolbar: http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/paso-pacifico Adding the GoodToolbar is a great way to ensure that every purchase and web search you make will count as a donation to your cause.

Paso Pacífico Blog