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COSTA RICA |
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Flourishing Wildlife Awaits in Costa Rica
By Kristina Peltin
Orchids, butterflies, iguana, crocodiles,
slots and monkeys fill the lush
surroundings. It may seem impossible, but
the tiny country of Costa Rica - although
only about one-eighth the size of California
- contains the greatest density of species
in the world.
Within only 19,730 square miles of tropical
rainforests, volcanoes, mountains, beaches
and urbanized cities reside more than 850
identified species of birds, 9,000
identified species of vascular plants, more
than 900 different trees species and roughly
1,500 species of orchids. Many people might
be shocked to know Costa Rica even has a
small jaguar population.
The list is endless for this Central
American country that acts as a bridge
between North and South America, which is
one reason it has so many different species
- because it has become a bridge for many
exotic creatures to travel from north to
south and vice versa.
Besides the migrating species, there are
still plenty of endemic species - species
that originated in Costa Rica - such
as the Mangrove Hummingbird and the Sulphur-winged
Parakeet.
With all this amazing wildlife, Costa Rica
has taken special care to conserve its
tropical areas and the species. It is known
worldwide for its conservation efforts with
groups such as the Costa Rica Conservation
Trust and the Costa Rica Conservation
Federation. Also, Costa Rican
environmentalist Carlos Manuel Rodriguez
received the Blue Moon Fund’s first annual
Conservation Leadership Award.
As tourism grows to an all-time high, some
hotels have joined efforts to help conserve
and run as sustainably as possible.
About 25 percent of the country is conserved
within the protected areas, which consist of
national parks, biological reserves, forest
reserves and wildlife refuges.
Pan American Health Organization estimates
that about 75 percent of the air pollution
is caused by transportation. That is more
than likely after seeing bus after bus go by
with thick black and even blue clouds of
exhaust that billow out and stick to the
humid air.
Between hunters, deforestation and pollution
problems, there are about 155 endangered
species of plants and animals in Costa Rica.
“As commercial and residential lands get
developed they leave nature on the
outskirts, literally,” said James Botti, a
student from the University of
Massachusetts, Amherst, who is studying in
Costa Rica. “Most residents here that I have
seen or spoken to do not fully realize the
immense benefit that the climate and
geography of Costa Rica add to their daily
lives.”
INBio Park is a facility known globally for
its amazing educational exhibits of wildlife
from re-created environments such as cloud
rainforests and coffee farms. Aside from
informing citizens and visitors - especially
kids - it also contains laboratories where,
according to its Web site, it studies
chemical substances and genes present in
plants, insects, marine organisms and
microorganisms. This information may be used
by the pharmaceutical, medical,
biotechnology and cosmetic industries, and
also in nutritional and agricultural
applications.
This park is a great way to not only
experience firsthand Costa Rica’s immense
diversity, but also to gain a better
understanding of the environment and world.
As with anything, there are positive and
negative aspects of Costa Rica. But apart
from the growing pollution and urban
development, it still manages to host some
of the most unique species and beautiful
sights.
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