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Estación Biológica Caparú, Instituto Amazónico de Investigaciones de la Universidad Nacional de

Field Study

EstaciÃ³n BiolÃ³gica CaparÃº, Instituto AmazÃ³nico de Investigaciones de la Universidad Nacional de

Project Director: Thomas R. Defler and Sara Bennett Defler Co-Directors

Contact Person: Thomas Defler , thomasdefler@hotmail.com , Thomas Defler Phone: 346-8346 E-mail: caparu@impsat.net.co

Mailing address: Apartado AÃ©reo 53200 , SantafÃ© de BogotÃ¡ , 0000 Colombia

Research Objectives: To develop the ecological information necessary for ecosystem survival and species conservation; to promote environmental education, especially with respect to fauna and ecosystems; to develop research and training possibilities for Colombians; to establish an Indigenous Faunistic Park together with local indigenous community and national and international conservation organizations.

Field Positions and Volunteers: Educational opportunities available for undergraduate, graduate, professional: field work opportunities available; PROGRAM EMPHASIS: ecology, primate ecology, avian ecology, plant ecology, conservation, other topics possible; financial support that is sometimes available almost always directed towards Colombian students; we are particularly interested in Colombian students but sometimes accept foreign students if we feel that they will make a contribution to Colombia.

Species Studied: Lagothrix lagothricha (woolly monkey); Cacajao melanocephalus (black-headed uacari); Cebus apella (tufted capuchin); Callicebus torquatus (widow monkey); Saimiri sciureus (squirrel monkey); Alouatta seniculus (red howler monkey)

Other Species Found At Site: Aotus sp. (night monkey); Cebus albifrons (white-fronted capuchin)

Affiliations: FundaciÃ³n Natura; Colciencias; Conservation International; Midwest

Project Begin/End Dates: 1984 - continues but see note below

Comments: On June 22, 1998 the Colombian guerilla group known as the FARC forced Thomas Defler to abandon CaparÃº under the threat of death. Since that time we have been able to get a promise from the guerilla that Colombian student researchers will not be harmed and that activities may proceed without harassment, as long as "foreigners" are not present. We continue to support activities at CaparÃº from BogotÃ¡ and need the presence of more Colombians to insure that the programs continue.

Entry created: 1998-08-14
Review requested: 2003-11-17
Entry last reviewed: never

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