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Lowland Tropical Wet Forest:
Shiripuno Station and La Selva
Lodge
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This
habitat represents the quintessential "rainforest"
represented in popular films such as Medicine Man and The Emerald
Forest. The number of species found in our study sites at the
western edge of the Amazon Basin rivals any site in the world.
Here students may encounter , jaguars, tapirs, 13 species of
monkeys, more than 40 species of snakes including anacondas
and boa constrictors, and more than 500 species of birds. Classic
ecological phenomena include army ants and ant-birds, ant-plant
associations, leaf-cutter ants, giant ceiba trees and tree fall
gaps, piranhas, caimans, and amazing array of insects, spiders,
and frogs. Every walk is an adventure here where animal sightings
are unpredictable but always remarkable.
The climate is warm and humid
with an average of 2-4 meters of rain per year. It rains nearly
every day requiring travelers to carry plastic bags for cameras
and binoculars but the moisture is often a welcome respite
from the heat. In this land of mud, swamps, streams, and relatively
level ground rubber irrigation boots are choice footwear.
Despite the infamous hollywood portrayals of people eaten
alive by mosquitos you will likely find very few of those
here. This region of the Amazon has many fewer mosquitos than
one might observe during springtime at home. A little repellent
and long pants will provide all the protection a biologist
requires to make them comfortable in this forest.
Traditionally this course
has focused on one of two rainforest research sites for each
trip, The Shiripuno Research Station or La Selva Lodge and
Neotropical Field Station. Both sites require a flight from
Quito to the frontier town of Coca.
Shiripuno Research Station:
"...the place where professional jungle guides go when
they want an adventure vacation..."
The photos on this page were taken
at the Shiripuno Research Station. From Coca we travel 3 hours
south in a rustic bus along a bumpy petroleum exploration
road to the Shiripuno River. This river is just south of Yasuni
National Park and marks the border of the Huaorani territory.
The station itself is located within Huaorani territory and
all travelers are expected to pay a $20 entrance fee to the
community when we enter the river. We travel in a motor canoe
down the narrow twisting Shiripuno River for 4 hours deep
into the virgin rainforest that represents the most impressive
wilderness on earth. There is wildlife to be seen along the
river including parrots, macaws, monkeys, and the occasional
tapir. With good fortune, we arrive at the Shiripuno Research
Station on the bank of the Shiripuno River by sunset. This
adventurous entry into the wilderness is long, and not insignificant
for the less intrepid traveler, but there is no place in the
world as beautiful and remote as this quiet collection of
bungalos carved into the heart of the Amazon forest.
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History of the Shiripuno Research
Station
The Shiripuno Research Station
was founded by Jarol (Fernando) Vaca, a native Ecuadorian
who has lived and worked his entire life in the Amazon region
of Ecuador. An experienced rainforest natural historian and
field biologist, Fernando has carved out his dream to build
a biological research station in the most pristine rainforest
location found in Ecuador. Working with the Huaorani indigenous
commmunity to establish a long term relationship that fosters
education and sustainable rainforest living Fernando has accomplished
the impossible with style.
The station is rustic and
comfortable, with open air rooms that welcome the forest to
your doorstep. The small grassy space surrounded by deep forest
is a haven for macaws, parrots, toucans, guans, and parrots
making a relaxing morning with a pair of field binoculars
an unparalled for peaceful wildlife experiences. The main
dining building accomodates up to 20 people comfortably with
hammocks and small reference library. The rooms are built
in a longhouse structure and each has a private bathroom with
running water including toilets, sinks and showers. Beds come
equipped with excellent mattresses, sheets and pillows and
mosquito netting for comfort. The lodge has no electrical
power so evening settles here on candlelight and the pure
sounds of the forest; something that has become rare among
ecotourism facilities. All food and water is brought in to
the lodge with the exception of some locally grown yuca and
fruits. The prepared food is healthy, sanitized to the standards
of a traveler's stomach, and has a robust diversity of flavors
that matches the very best restaurants in Ecuador. Drinking
water is available to guests at all times to maintain comfortable
hydration levels while exploring the forest.
Animal Life
The wildlife at Shiripuno
is fantastic. The trails built by Fernando were the first
to be constructed here and there are many miles of untracked
terrain. Our most recent successes here with field courses
have been with the amazing abundance of Manakin leks near
the station. There are 4 different species lekking within
400m of the station, and one of those is so close the birds
can be heard from the rooms. During summer of 2006 nearly
the entire course was able to divide up and regularly observe
manakin dancing and mating behavior for several different
species. It was an incredible opportunity. Students observed
Blue-crowned Manakins, Golden-headed Manakins, Bearded Manakins,
and White-capped Manakins for hours on end. The experience
has converted more than one biologist to a career in ornithology.
What to bring with you to
Shiripuno (link to below)
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| Images: Shiripuno dining room at night,
dining room hammocks, a view of one of the rooms with three
single beds (largest room), and some light entertainment as
Geo Chelone takes on Guatemala's Genoveva during lunchtime.
Though his gloves were big and tough, he never had a chance
against the Guatamalan Sensation. |
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Type Dept. Name
Here
Type Dept. Links Here
(try to limit links to 10 or less)
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