FAUNA AND FLORA IN KAIETEUR NATIONAL PARK
Kaieteur National Park is one of few places in the world where you can see endangered
species. The Park supports a micro environment
including the local Tank Bromeliads (plants that hold water in their
stiff, upturned leafs and which are the second largest in the world) in which
the tiny Golden Frog spends its entire life. The lucky visitor may
also see the famous flights of the Swifts or 'Makanaima' birds which
nest under the vast shelf of rock carved by the Falls over the centuries.
With luck you may also see the Ocelot, a medium size spotted cat, about
twice as large as an average house cat. On the trail to Johnson's
View one can often find the Cock-of-the-Rock with its bright orange
feathers sitting on a low branch peering inquisitively at you.
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GOLDEN FROG
 Golden
dart-poison frog (Colostethus beebei), is a small brilliantly
colored tree frog that spends its entire life-cycle inside the
micro-ecosystem of the cloud forest's bromeliads. It is an opportunistic
sit-and-wait predator whose diet includes many small arthropods,
but especially mosquitoes and midges.
Often described as "jewels of the rainforests," dart-poison frogs,
are adorned in various vivid colors to warn potential predators
of their deadly toxins. They have bright patterns of green, red,
orange, yellow, blue, white, and/or jet black depending on the
species.
The dart-poison frogs live near rivers, streams, and various small
bodies of water, while hunting and living in the foliage and leaf
litter of the evergreen forest floor. A few species have adapted
to life in the trees, and other species can be found in the water,
too. Dart-poison frogs, unlike most frogs, are primarily diurnal
and can be seen on the forest floor in broad daylight. Adult frogs
receive their nutrition by capturing ants, termites, small insects,
and arthropods. The average lifespan of a dart-poison frog is
about 5-7 years, although many live longer than that.
The mating season, occurring after the rainy season has started,
is signaled to begin when sounds of buzzing, humming, chirping,
or trilling can be heard all over the forest. Males attract females
through elaborate calls, often after careful planning of the best
place to store their eggs until the tadpoles are ready to be placed
in water. After finding the male, the female deposits a few large
eggs on a leaf that is in close proximity of a body of water,
the site that the male has carefully decided on. Being near water
insures that the eggs will remain moist, which is essential to
the tadpoles' growth and development. The leaf usually hangs about
1.2 meters above the forest floor. The male then fertilizes the
eggs and is responsible for guarding the eggs and making sure
that they stay wet. After 2-4 weeks the tadpoles are ready to
be transported to other bodies of water where they will develop
into adult frogs. Many times the male frog carries the tadpoles
on his back, which contains a sticky mucus. In some species the
female is responsible for transportation, and in a few species
both the male and female seek out the best sites for their baby
tadpoles to develop. Many times the parent frogs take each tadpole
to a separate place because the tadpoles are cannibalistic. How
they remember the multiple locations is still unknown. Good sites
for developing tadpoles tend to be bromeliad funnels, branches,
hollow trees, and bamboo stalks. One species even uses the rain
filled "monkey pots" found on the forest floor that are produced
by Brazil nut trees. The frogs feed the tadpoles unfertilized
eggs about once every five days and show parental care. After
about 2-3 months, the tadpoles have completely developed into
adult frogs and are ready to pass on their genes to yet another
generation of dart-poison frogs.
The dart-poison frogs secrete alkaloid poisons, which are complex
and bitter-tasting. Alkaloid poisons, which include caffeine,
nicotine, cannabidiol, cocaine, and morphine, are some of the
most familiar and addictive drugs known to man. They tend to interfere
with liver and cell membrane function, and they can cause cessation
of lactation, birth defects, or abortion. Alkaloid chemicals are
harmful to numerous animals, and some species have been found
that can be harmful and even deadly to humans: Touching it can
be fatal to a human, especially if the toxins get into the bloodstream
through a laceration in the skin. The frogs do not have poison
glands on their feet.
The alkaloid toxins affect muscles and nerves, many times causing
respiratory and heart failure. The Choco Indians of western Columbia
use these frogs in hunting by placing the toxins on the tips of
arrows or darts. The tribes boil the frogs and then dip the darts
in the poison, or they hang the frogs over a fire by forcing a
sharp stick into their mouths. The heat causes the poison to moisten
the back of the frog in the form of a white froth, making it easy
to get on the tip of a dart. One frog can produce enough toxin
to coat 50-100 arrows, and the darts remain toxic for about a
year. The Indians use the darts to kill spider and howler monkeys,
as well as other small animals. The batrachotoxin, the most toxic
of the alkaloids, can aid in the hunting of jaguars, deer, and
birds. Frogs of the species Phyllobates terribilis do not have
to be killed for their poison. The Indians just rub the darts
on their backs and the poison is secreted. Studies of the toxins
from different species have shown that frogs of similar species
have vastly different alkaloid chemicals.
Due to the rapid destruction of their habitats, these frogs are
currently on the threatened list. Scientists have recently been
exploring the possible link between the frogs' diet of ants and
the ability to produce alkaloid poisons. More alkaloids are found
in ant species than in any other group of insects, and it has
been observed that ants comprise from 50-73% of the dart-poison
frogs' diet. Further research has shown that other non-toxic frog
species have diets with only about 12-16% ants. The consumption
of ants that contain alkaloid compounds may be the primary character
that led to the development of toxic skin and the radiation of
poisonous species. Researchers are now trying to find ways of
raising ant species to feed frogs in captivity in hopes that someday
the captive frogs can produce enough alkaloid substances for more
substantial findings. Without these toxins being produced in large
accessible quantities, research can be minimal at best.
Without measures to protect their natural habitats, the dart-poison
frogs may become extinct. Their extinction will decrease the diversity
of animal life and prevent many new chemicals from being discovered.
These new chemicals could provide biomedical researchers with
information that will help to develop drugs that can be extremely
important to humans. Saving the frogs' natural habitat will prove
to be beneficial to everyone. Who knows....one day, your life
may literally be saved by a frog! From: Ecology Of Dart-Poison
Frogs, by: David and Ryan, students at Erskine College, Due West,
SC, USA
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SCISSORS TAILED SWIFT
 The
white-chinned and white-collared swifts (Cypseloides Cryptus)
are easily recognized by their rapid, fluttering flight, and long,
narrow wings. Though the swifts of Kaieteur do not look all that
different from any other swift, they are remarkable; they make
their home on the nearby cliffs of the plateau as well as behind
the Falls itself. These insect-eating birds fill the air at dawn
and dusk, and they spend most of their waking time in the air,
skimming around Kaieteur Falls and feeding on flying insects.
At night they sweep down at amazing speed to settle in their roosts. The roar of the torrent is immense, yet these tiny birds dive
through the raging water to safety behind.
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BUTTERFLIES
Butterflies,
including glorious morphos, abound in the gorge of Kaieteur Falls.
Within a few minutes and at several locations, one can identify
nearly all the seven or eight species of morphos present, among
them Morpho hecuba, South America's largest butterfly, with wings
that span eight inches. The upper side of this majestic glider
is a rich dark brown, with a flamelike burst of russet and pearl.
Blue morphos include M. rhetenor, whose glittering royal-blue
wings are among the most brilliant sights on earth.
Morphos range in wingspan from 7.5 cm (3 in) Morpho rhodopteron
to the imposing 20 cm (8 in) Morpho hecuba.
The entire lifecycle of the Morpho butterfly, from egg to death
is approximately 115 days. Adults live for only a month
When disturbed Morpho caterpillars emit a smell like rancid butter
from fluid-filled tissues on their undersides. This repels parasitic
wasps that try to lay eggs on the caterpillars. The caterpillars
are nocturnal, and feed on a variety of leguminous plants, while
the adult butterflies feed on rotting fruit or dead animals, wastes,
saps from damaged plants, and fungi
 Morpho Hecuba
Sun Butterfly
With close to an 20 centimeter (8 inch) wingspan, Morpho hecuba
is the largest butterfly in South America. The underside is dark
reddish-brown decorated with black spots and lines each outlined
with yellow and white. The female is similar to the male but slightly
smaller.
 Morpho Peleides (Blue Morphos)
Blue Morphos and similar species are reared en masse in commercial
breeding programs. The iridescent wings are used in manufacture
of jewellery and as inlay in woodworking. The lamellate structure
of their scales has been studied as a model in the development
of fabrics, dye-free paints, and anti-counterfeit technology such
as that used in currency
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OCELOT
 Ocelot (Leopardus
pardalis), a medium-size spotted cat is about twice as large
as the average house cat, weighing on average about 14 kg (30
pounds). The fur of the Ocelot, with its dark brown irregular
shaped spots and stripes, edged with black on a yellow/tawny background
give this lithe, medium size cat a most distinctive appearance.
The ocelot's hunting technique is varied and is carried out mostly
by night - its prey includes small deer, rabbits, rodents, reptiles
and when available, fish. The ocelot swims well and although not
as adept in climbing as the Margay, will hunt for birds and also
sleep in the lower branches of trees in its forest habitat. Male
and female cats often share territories which can be up to 3 square
miles in area.
As far back as the ancient Aztec civilization, the ocelot has
been hunted and prized for its fur. Today, hunting of the animal,
along with deforestation in much of its habitat, has led to the
cat's virtual extinction in some of its range. Once found in many
areas of southern North America, Central America and much of South
America - the animal has now almost completely disappeared form
its range in the southern US. In Central America and the northern
countries of South America the ocelot is still to be found in
forested areas but is at risk through hunting for its fur and
also through trapping for the pet trade. Generally the ocelot
population has fallen to such low levels it is listed in CITES
Appendix 1 as an endangered species. © 1997 Andrew Garman
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COCK-OF-THE-ROCK
 The
Cock-of-the Rock is one of the world's most spectacular birds.
Its is an important disperser of the seeds of fruit bearing trees
in tropical forests and its courtship behavior concentrates these
seeds at certain localities, influencing the kinds of trees and
shrubs that are predestined to grow there. Its fantastic plumage
and colorful courtship display can equal those of any bird of
paradise.
Two species are recognized: (1) the Andean Cock-of-the Rock ( Rupicola
peruviana), and (2) the Guianan Cock-of-the Rock ( Rupicola rupicola).
Both are restricted to mountainous areas of northern South America. The Andean Cock-of-the-Rock is distributed in the Andes from Venezuela
south to Bolivia, while the Guianan Cock-of-the Rock is found
in the more ancient, and highly eroded mountains that lie east
of the Andes and north of the Amazon River (i.e. in the Guianas
and adjacent areas of Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia).
Their nests are built on the rock faces of cliffs, large boulders,
caves or steep gorges. The female Cock-of-the-Rock builds her
nest and raises the young without assistance from the male. The
normal clutch size is 2 eggs. Adult Cock-of-the-Rock males spend
much of their time at communal courtship sites called leks, where
they defend ground and/or nearby perches from other males. Here
they 'display' to Cock-of-the-Rock females visiting the lek who
in turn select which males to mate with (Snow 1982).
Courtship and nesting behavior of the Cock-of-the-Rock increases
local plant diversity When the Cock-of-the-Rock eats fruit, it
swallows many of the seeds whole and most of these are not damaged
when they pass through its digestive system. Thus, many seeds
remain capable of germinating when the Cock-of-the-Rock defecates
or regurgitates them at considerable distances from the parent
trees.
Since the adult male Cock-of-the-Rock concentrates his time and
activities around the lek, and the adult female concentrates her
time and activities around cliff nest sites (where several females
may build nests in close proximity to each other), seeds are deposited
more frequently at leks as well as at the female nest sites. For
example, at a lek of the Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock in French Guiana,
Thery and Larpin (1993) found seeds of 21 species of plants under
the perches of males. All were believed to have been defecated
or regurgitated by the males. Likewise, Erard et al. (1989) collected
droppings under a nest of the Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock in French
Guiana, and found in them the seeds of 52 plant species. In an
earlier study, Benalcazar and Benalcazar (1984) collected droppings
under 7 nests of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock at a site west of
Cali, Colombia, and in them found the seeds of at least 35 plant
species.
When Cock-of-the-Rock males display at courtship leks, they attempt
to attract females with loud noises, brilliant colored plumage
and active display. Unfortunately, such conspicuous advertising
also attracts predators to Cock-of-the-Rock leks. In Suriname,
Trail (1987) found that the calls of Guianan Cock-of-the-Rock
males displaying at leks could be heard several hundred meters
through the forest. A diverse group of predators was attracted
to the leks he studied.
Cock-of-the-Rock females build their nests on vertical rock faces,
in caves or crevices (Snow 1982). They construct the nest primarily
of mud, mixed with saliva and some plant material (Gilliard 1962).
The interior is lined with plant fibers (Gilliard 1962; Benalcazar
& Benalcazar 1984).
Whether the nest-site is in the entrance or interior of a cave,
or on a vertical rock cliff, it usually has certain general characteristics.
For example, in the Brazilian Amazon, Guianan Cock-of-the Rock
nest sites usually have the following four elements present: (1)
closeness to a watercourse, (2) shade or half-light rather than
full sunlight, (3) humidity, (4) slits, cracks, fissures or cavities
in the rock on which the nest is built (Omena 2003). If these
characteristics are not present, the nest will dry out and then
fragment when the female sits on it (Omena 2003). For this reason,
dry cliffs and caverns are never used for nesting (Omena 2003).
By Dr. Paul D. Haemig, Ecology Online Sweden, (PhD in Animal
Ecology).
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TANK BROMELIAD
 The
most eye-catching plant in Kaieteur National Park is Brocchinia
micrantha, a thick-stalked terrestrial Bromeliad that can grow
3-3.5m (12 feet) high. Found only here and several nearby areas
stimulated by the unique microclimate that Kaieteur Falls has
created, this plant collects water in a "tank" formed by the base
of its leaves. The tank is often home to the small Golden Frog (Colostethus beebei).
Members of the plant family Bromeliaceae are commonly known as
'bromeliads'. The family contains about 2,700 species and members
are characterised by a condensed stem formed by a tight rosette
of overlapping leaves. Bromeliads are restricted in distribution
to the neotropics except for one species endemic to West Africa (Pitcairnia feliciana).
'Tank bromeliads' possess modified rosettes that collect rainwater
and organic debris. Many grow on other plants without parasitizing
them. Tank bromeliads are able to live this way because the tank
provides them with an alternative source of water and nutrients
other than the ground soil. Light can be a major limiting factor
for plants on the forest floor and the epiphytic lifestyle offers
the advantage of access to higher light concentrations without
costly investment in large trunks and roots as used by trees. 
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Agouti
Family
Dasyproctidae (agoutis and acouchies)
Dasyprocta leporina (red-rumped agouti)
 The agouti is a medium sized rodent, as big as the largest guinea
pigs, with longer, thinner legs. They have a
largish head and a plump body. Their short, shiny, thick hair
that lies flattened has a yellow tinge. Their medium sized ears
are nearly hairless. They are not endangered and can be found most
often in areas with good undergrowth cover, around large tree
falls and near streams, rivers and swamps. Sometimes they inhabit
domestic gardens and plantations. If the soil is suitable they
tend to dig burrows. Their coarse hair is longer on the hindquarters
where it is usually bright orange or gold. When the animal is
alarmed or aggressive, these hairs raise. The head of the agouti
is rat like with relatively large, pinkish ears. The animal is
about 20 inches long with a short, hairless tail and long legs
that bear five toes on the fore feet and three on the hind feet.
When undisturbed the agouti is said to be diurnal, but in most
cases they are considered nocturnal animals. They spend their
days inside holes in trees or burrows that are scraped in the
ground in soft limestone boulders or under the roots of trees.
Burrows of this animal are 2 to 3 feet deep and covered over by
twigs or leaves. One animal or a small group consisting of a family
occupies each burrow.
Agoutis are strictly herbivorous and in the wild feed mostly on
fallen fruits and nuts, attracted to the sound of ripe fruits
hitting the ground. Agoutis and the other numerous rodents in
South America are the ecological equivalent of African grazing
hoofed mammals such as antelope and zebras.
 When
these delicate eaters are seen eating, they will be sitting back
on their hunches, holding their food with their fore feet and
peeling their food carefully with their teeth before eating it.
Agouti hoard their food in small stores, which are buried near
their landmarks. They have been known to occasionally eat the
eggs of ground nesting birds and have even been seen at the seashore
searching for shellfish. They can open brazil nuts and coconuts
with one bite
When the agouti is disturbed it will first freeze in an attempt
to avoid being detected. It will sit with its body upright and
ankles flat on the ground ready to leap off at full speed. When
the agouti leaps away from a predator, it will scream shrilly
and has the ability to dodge obstacles with an amazing agility.
Its main predators include the ocelot, jaguar and man. The agouti
is a fast runner, known to escape predators more by speed than
hiding. These very agile animals bound through the under growth,
undaunted by precipices on which they display the agility of goats. Some have been recorded leaping 20 feet from a standing start.
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Red-and-Green Macaw
Family (Ara chloroptera)
 Often confused with the Scarlet Macaw, the Green-winged Macaw
is mostly red, with blue and green wings, a blue tail and gray
legs. Their face is white and striped with small red feathers;
their upper beak is whitish and the lower beak is black. One of
the largest of the Macaws, the Green-winged Macaw can grow up
to three feet in length and three and half pounds in weight
Macaws are to be found in the humid evergreen forest of the Orinoco
and Amazon Basins although they can be found in savannahs where
there is gallery woodland. They nest either in holes in trees
or in holes in cliffs
They feed on a variety of seeds and fruits and and some vegetable
matter foraged from trees. They are able to eat some poisonous
fruits due to their practice of eating river clay, which appears
to neutralize the toxins.
Boa constrictors, hawks, opossums and rats prey on Green-winged
Macaws and their eggs in the wild. The largest dangers to all
Macaws are the illegal bird trade and habitat destruction.
Green-winged Macaws are frequently seen in pairs or family groups
and occasionally gather in small flocks of six to twelve birds.
Larger groups are found in feeding trees or on clay banks, where
they may group with other Macaws. They are fairly shy birds and
are difficult to see in foliage. Usually only heard within the
forest, Green-winged Macaws will fly off making loud screeches
when alarmed
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Giant River Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis )
Otters are mammals, are covered with fur, nurse their young with
milk and breathe oxygen from the air. They belong to the weasel
family - Mustelidae and are related to skunks, mink, martens,
and badgers. Otters feed on fish and small animals such as crayfish. They can
crush shells and slice fish with their strong sharp teeth. They
also eat snakes, clams, snails, frogs, and even earthworms.
The giant river otter is the largest of the 13 otter species and
is found only in the rainforests
and rivers of South America. Nicknamed in Spanish "lobos de rio" or "the
river wolves," the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) can grow
up to seven feet long (2m) and weight up to 70 pounds (32 kg).
The giant otter hunts in packs of four to ten adults and has a
remarkable predatory instinct and unusual feeding habits. Though
primarily feeding on fish, the giant otter has been seen attacking
and devouring anaconda snakes and caiman. Even stranger, it eats
all of its fish prey, including the bones. Using its wolf-like
teeth, water current-sensing whiskers, and strong webbed forehands,
the giant otter is quite an effective water hunter.
Giant otters are extremely social animals and prefer to stay in
familial groups. During the day, they often groom one another,
which according to scientists, promotes group unity. At night,
they retire to communal dens, dug ten feet into the ground along
shorelines. The dens provide safety as well as warm birth quarters
for new pups. Usually, only one pair of giant otters breed within
a pack, producing on average four pups.
Giant otters are rare sights and found only in isolated jungle
regions. Scientists are currently studying the giant otter's ecological
niche to help better protect their species from extinction.
Adult male river otters weigh 4.5 to 14 Kilograms. They measure
up to 1.4 meters long, including the tail. Females are somewhat
smaller. Otters can hold their breath and stay under water for
up to four minutes.
River otters have good eyesight and a very keen sense of smell.
They make many different sounds. They chatter, chuckle, grunt,
snort, and growl. They also warn other otters of danger with a
shrill whistle. River otters mark their territory by rubbing musk
on logs and stones. Musk is a sweet smelling liquid produced by
scent glands near the tail. Otters have dens, or homes, on land,
in the banks of rivers and ponds.
With an estimated total population of only 1,000 to 5,000 individuals,
the giant river otter is considered highly vulnerable to extinction. In a recent analysis conducted by World Wildlife Fund, the species
was assessed as the large Neotropical vertebrate species most vulnerable to extinction
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The Giant Otter in the Guianas
 In the Guianas, the Giant otter enjoys relative security, particularly
in the more remote areas. The first detailed study of Giant otters
in the wild was made by Nicole Duplaix in Suriname in 1976-1978,
much of it in Kaburi Creek, Giant otters prefer slow-flowing clear
black water creeks and rivers, particularly during the dry season
when they prey heavily on fish, such as Hoplias and catfish, that
rest on the bottom in shallow water. They are seen in groups ranging
in size from
two (a pair) to an extended family group of 7. Larger groups of
14 or more otters have been seen but were probably two family
groups traveling together from their dry season area to their
rainy season area.
 Threats to Giant Otters in the Guianas include logging, fishing,
hunting, habitat disruption and water pollution. Although the
pelt trade is not a threat to either otter species in Suriname,
it has been reported in French Guiana and Guyana. Goldmining is
also a threat to the Giant otter. Mercury levels in Hoplias, for
instance, have been found to have very high levels of mercury
in the Coesewijne River where Giant otters regularly occur (WWF).
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Tapir (Tapirus)
Amazonian tapirs (also known as lowland or Brazilian tapirs) are
one of the largest mammals found in South America. They belong
in the odd-toed group of mammals (horses, rhinoceros, etc. ) and
are the only South American representatives of that group
Weighing in at anywhere between 350 to 600 pounds, adult tapirs
have rather corpulent bodies. Unusual in appearance, tapirs have
thick necks, stumpy tails, and large ears. Short trunks, used
for lifting food into their mouths, are also characteristic of
the tapir. They are a tan to dark brown color, and have a ridge
with a fringe of hair running along the backs of their necks.
Baby tapirs are born with spotted and striped coats for camouflage;
this will darken as the tapir ages. The 3-4 toes on each foot
are spread out to help them navigate on soft, muddy ground. Tapirs
have a sharp sense of smell and hearing that are useful in evading
predators.
 Tapirs are generally most active at night, although they are often
active during the day. Known for their reclusive, solitary lifestyles,
tapirs are difficult to see in the wild. Although they appear
to be sedentary, tapirs are able to cover great distances in the
forest. Adaptable to different habitats, tapirs may be found in
swamp and hillside areas, savannah, and in cloud forests and rainforests.
Preferring moist areas, they are often found near waterways where
they can feed, rest and bathe.
Amazonian tapirs are considered browsing herbivores, feeding on
herbaceous vegetation and fruits (with a particular affinity for
bananas). As they swim well and can walk on pond bottoms, they
will also feed on aquatic plants.
Being such a large mammal means also being a great source of protein;
tapirs are widely hunted by indigenous people in the forest. Although
they are rather large, tapirs are quite defenseless, and it is
believed that pumas, jaguars and alligators may prey on small
tapirs. Low reproductive rates and habitat loss due to deforestation
have also led to diminishing populations. Due to their large size,
tapirs have been heavily hunted and are increasingly rare in the
wild.
They are officially endangered
A juvenile tapir (as shown here) has coloration that helps it
blend in with surrounding vegetation. The adult tapir is a uniform
brown. Young tapir are vulnerable to carnivores such as jaguars,
ocelots, and large caimans.
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Black Howler Monkey(Alouatta caraya)
 The howler monkey, the most widespread primate in South America,
gives the sloth a run for the money when it comes to sluggishness.
They breed throughout the year and have a lifespan in the wild
of from sixteen to twenty years. A good portion of a howler's
diet is comprised of leaves from emerging trees (though they prefer
buds, flowers, fruit and particularly figs), which means that
the monkey spends a good deal of its daytime energy digesting
and resting. With such low metabolism, howler monkeys have to
move into the sunlight to warm up after cold nights.
One stirring thing the howler monkey can do is howl. When the
first explorers came to Amazonia, they fled at the sound of roaring
howlers, believing that some terrible creature was readying to
attack. Howler monkeys are able to produce these blood-curdling
sounds courtesy of an egg-shaped bone in their windpipes. This
bone helps amplify the sound of their howling, so much so that
a male howler can be heard howling for two miles or more
Reddish in body color and black in face, the howler monkey cautions
other animals to stay away by sounding terrifying howls at both
dawn and dusk. These noises alert other howler monkeys of the
location of their troops and thus reduce potential conflicts between
troops. The male howler monkey has an enlarged goiter-like hyoid
bone that allows it to create its unique, voluminous roars.
The howling ritual usually begins with a single male making several
low grunts. To increase the volume and length at which its noise
carries through the rain forest, other males in the troop join
in and begin to howl. The howling eventually culminates in one
long thunderous roar. The higher pitched females of a troop also
participate in this practice.
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Bush Dogs(Speothos venaticus,)
 The bush dog is one of the primitive species in the family canidae.
They are covered with short reddish tan fur and have a long stocky
body and short legs. With small ears and short legs, they look
more like weasels or otters rather than dogs. Although very little
is known about this rare animal, their behaviors are being revealed
from captive observation.
It is definitely carnivorous and hunts during the day, preferably
in savannahs and tropical and equatorial forests. Its typical
prey is the agouti, a large rodent. Although it can hunt alone
on occasion, the Bush Dog is usually found in small packs of up
to  10-12
individuals, which can bring down much larger prey. It may be
the most gregarious among South American canid species. Most canine
species are good swimmers, but, thanks to their webbed feet, the
bush dog can swim very well and even dive in the water. It uses
hollow logs and cavities (e.g. Armadillo burrows) for shelter.
The gestation period is 63 days, and a litter can have up to six
dark grey pups. Lactation lasts approximately 8 weeks. The Bush
Dog is sexually mature at 1 year and lives for about 10 years.
Bush dogs can also move very quickly backwards as if having eyes
behind their head. Confronted with enemies, they run backwards
to the burrow while keeping their eyes on their enemy. Just like
any other dogs, they mark their territory by urinating; males
urinate with a hind leg kicked up, and females do so while balancing
on their front limbs as if doing handstand.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN KAIETEUR NATIONAL PARK
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BACKGROUND
Kaieteur National Park is now attracting researchers from around
the world. Although its value for research has been long recognized
(since 1928), it is only recently that scientific research has
begun in earnest. In fact researchers are only beginning to understand
the diversity of plants and animals found in the area and there
is yet much to be discovered. The Dean of the
Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Guyana (UG) has
openly emphasized the importance of more biologically based field
research efforts in Guyana, particularly in Kaieteur National
Park.
Over the past six years, the University has completed
multifaceted research in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute
under the program "Biological Diversity of the Guianas (BDG)"
as well as with a group of international research centers for
the project "Flora of Guianas". Major studies were mainly confined
to botany but there were lesser studies of vertebrates, birds,
amphibians, and mammals as well.
For further information the reader is directed to:
where several relevant research products on Kaieteur National
Park can be found including a checklist of plants existing in
Kaieteur National Park and The Use of Biodiversity Data in Developing
Kaieteur National Park, Guyana for Ecotourism and Conservation.
A complete set of organisms collected during these studies is
deposited in the Center for the Study of Biological Diversity
(CSBD) at the University of Guyana, Georgetown..
The Centre is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the
study, documentation, and conservation of nature. It is now a
key instrument within Guyana for the development of a full range
of biodiversification education, research and training programs.
The Center is frequented by both school children and researchers
alike and serves as a highly informative place to visit for potential
guests of Kaieteur National Park. For
more information on the Center
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FUTURE RESEARCH PROSPECTS
To date, studies in Kaieteur National Park have been mainly directed to creating
checklists and inventories of plant species to assist policy makers
with conservation. In 1998, these inventories were used to justify
the expansion of the Park boundaries. The difficulty remains, however,
that due to the relatively high cost of both logistical support
and site access, expanded research into Kaieteur National Park has been limited to
the availability of, and reliance on, small amounts of international
institutional funding. Until such time as qualified biodiversity
studies of the Park are completed and published, Kaieteur National Park cannot be
seriously considered as a unique habitat worthy of international
environmental protection status (vis.UNESCO National Heritage
Site).
To meet this challenge UG is planning to:
- Catalog all biodiversity research completed on Kaieteur National Park to date
(ongoing)
- Identify what biodiversity uniqueness is required (and endangered
species verified) to qualify for international environmental
protection status;
- In association with international experts, establish research
priorities, benchmarks, and time frames for research component
completion;
- Identify local and international sources of sustainable
funding to complete the task;.
- Invite qualified experts to compete for and complete all
phases of research identified and to thereafter have their
findings accepted in published journals;
- Submit application(s) for: 1) "protected status" designation
and; 2) the necessary funding to both sustain any protection
granted and to complete follow-on research on a continuing
basis.
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RESEARCH FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
In the future, University of Guyana acknowledged that more research should
be completed where there is a direct and meaningful benefit to
nearby communities. In order to create any meaningful benefit,
indigenous communities should be educated as to the nature of
the research to be conducted in their area and the benefits that
will accrue beyond their villages. It was added that greater information
from researchers on the economic returns of protecting and selectively
culling the flora and fauna should be shared as well. The University of Guyana
strongly believes that scientific research can contribute to reducing
the social plights that indigenous communities are facing and
their active participation as para-taxonomists could help promote
an ongoing biodiversity science subculture while simultaneously
assisting ecotourism in Guyana
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SMITHSONIAN COLLABORATION
The Smithsonian Institute is almost the only institute conducting
scientific studies in Kaieteur National Park. Its history with Kaieteur National Park goes back to 1909
when The Institute began their first rounds of plant identification
and collection. More advanced research began in 1982 with Smithsonian's
'Biological Diversity of Guianas Program' and the 'Flora of Guianas'
project undertaken by various other institutions. The Smithsonian
Natural History Museum in Washington now exhibits samples of rock,
termites, wood and leaves as specimens collected from the Park.
The Institute's research to date has focused primarily on completing
an inventory of existing plant species, which will in turn stimulate
research in many other fields. The Institute carried out their
studies independently until 1998 when the Government of Guyana
requested their assistance with information gathering for the
Kaieteur National Park. Utilizing Conservation International and World Bank funding,
the Institute gathered and provided information on land use, biodiversity,
GIS mapping and comprehensive recommendations on Kaieteur National Park development.
In addition to collecting plants, The Institute has lobbied hard
to secure funding for the CSBD building at UG and provides research
grants for enthusiastic young Guyanese scientists while implementing
capacity building activities in partnership with UG in areas of
GIS, Para taxonomy and Remote Sensing Laboratory etc.
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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN RESEARCH IN KAIETEUR NATIONAL PARK?
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