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Welcome To Peru Nature Blog
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Walking 2 hours on a dusty road with trees felled to the side and the sun blazing overhead is not your typical day in the rainforest. Unfortunately, it is for us who are studying the effects of this road that serves as a stark contrast and constant reminder of the influence humans can have in a once pristine habitat in the Yachana Reserve, Ecuador. Today, it’s butterflies we’re surveying, setting up baited traps at various distances from the road to see what species are found close, and what species are found far from the road. We’ve finally hit the relief of trees, canopy, and shade as we head in to the forest and set up our first trap. The bait isn’t pretty: rotten fish, fermented in a closed jar in the heat of a tropical rainforest for over a week. Unfortunately for our noses, butterflies, especially less common ones, seem to love it.
I have heard this story told from rainforests throughout the world: Where there was once a small hiking trail to a distant community 4 hours away now lies a wide road with electrical poles, trees cleared along the side, and even asphalt. While the progress for the community can be immeasurable in access to medical care, increased standard of living, and ease of selling produce, the long-term damage that a road can cause to a rainforest’s animals has simply never been measured. Roads serve as a tangible representative of development and disturbance in the area. As more people live in an area and more products are created to sell, the more a need for a bigger, better, safer road there is. As roads get used more, studies have shown the following not-so-great things tend to happen and can have a long lasting affect deep into the forest:
In our situation, we’re hoping to measure the change in road (narrow to wide) as a change in animal populations surrounding the road, then, now, and when the asphalt comes. We’re surveying birds, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals to see if we get different levels of diversity and different species closer to the road compared to further from the road. We’re in the middle of data collection for the widened road state, spending hours in the field each day and night catching, identifying, and measuring animals. As roads leading up to Tambopata demonstrate, Peru is no stranger to road impacts. This study being done in Ecuador will hopefully help future policy and engineering decisions about how, and where, to build roads in or near such rainforests. With the IIRSA roads built across Peru and more being asphalted, the increased impact of humans is bound to be occurring. Let’s hope for responsible government decisions that will keep the roads benefitting the humans in need while minimizing the impact. See more articles by biologist Phil Torres at wwwTheRevScience.com  by: Peru Nature 0 Comments 
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Larger than a Mallard yet smaller than a Canada Goose, the Orinoco Goose is one of the easiest species of birds to see when traveling along remote Amazonian Rivers because they tend to hang out on sandbars and open, rocky areas of rivers. Although this striking looking species of goose lives in the Amazon basin, it’s not really a forest bird. However, unlike most species of ducks and geese, it’s rarely seen floating in the water either!
This waterfowl species is strikingly plumaged with a long, gray neck, chestnut body, and dark green wings. It also has long, bright pink legs and feet better suited for walking than swimming. Its handsome coloration actually helps this species blend into the rocky beaches it prefers, especially since it moves around very little. A few interesting facts about the Orinoco Goose:
 by: Peru Nature 0 Comments
The Amazon jungle is a mysterious, primeval place that
easily conjures up images of trackless jungles filled with exotic and
potentially dangerous wildlife. If you ask the average person what the most
lethal animal in the Amazon is, they will probably give answers that range from
Piranhas to Anacondas and ferocious Jaguars. However, as intimidating as these
and other rainforest animals are, none of them come close to winning the title
of the most dangerous animal in the Amazon.
No, that infamous price goes to a creature that is much
smaller. Africanized Honeybees and large, scary wasps are potentially dangerous
but you have to seriously provoke them to get stung en-masse. Bites from
Brazilian Wandering Spiders and several species of venomous snakes would also
be dangerous but as long as you don’t play with them, they aren’t going to go
out of their way to bite you. However, the same can’t be said for the lowly
mosquito and that is partly why those infuriating biting bugs are the most
dangerous creature in the Amazon Rainforest.
Although mosquitoes won’t kill you with a bite, the diseases
they can carry do so in many parts of the world on a daily basis. Malaria is
one of the biggest killers on Earth and this scourge is carried by none other
than the mosquito. They also carry that dangerous disease known as Yellow Fever
and this is why you have to have a Yellow Fever vaccination when visiting
Tambopata, Peru. Although both Yellow Fever and Malaria have become extremely
rare (or even eradicated) in Tambopata, the high number of mosquito-related
deaths in other parts of the world ensure that mosquitoes retain the title of
“most dangerous animal in the Amazon.
Related Perunature.com pages  by: Peru Nature 0 Comments
New York - The Rainforest Alliance, an international sustainability nonprofit, is proud to announce the companies that will receive Sustainable Standard-Setter awards on May 16 at a gala event in New York City. The awards honor businesses and individuals that champion conservation, protect the environment and support local communities. “For the past 25 years, the Rainforest Alliance has worked hard to transform land, lives and livelihoods across the globe, and we are very proud of our accomplishments,” said Tensie Whelan, president of the Rainforest Alliance. “Our anniversary gala awards ceremony provides us with the opportunity to recognize companies that have worked hard alongside us to promote environmental and social responsibility.” The 2012 Sustainable Standard-Setter honorees are:
Teeming with monkeys and more than 850 species of birds, the Madre de Dios region of Peru is a popular destination for adventurers. It is also home to the community-owned Posadas Amazonas Lodge -- a rustic, comfortable inn with spacious, airy rooms and biodiversity-rich surroundings. The Rainforest Alliance Verified™ lodge hires from within the community, and sources locally produced goods whenever possible. Since joining our verification program, the lodge has implemented:
About the Rainforest Alliance The Rainforest Alliance was established 25 years ago with the goal of conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable livelihoods. By ensuring that sustainably managed lands are profitable for both businesses and communities, the Rainforest Alliance helps farmers, forest managers and tourism businesses realize the greater economic benefits that result from conserving neighboring ecosystems and providing workers with training, safe work conditions, proper sanitation, health care and decent housing. Once businesses have met specified environmental, social and economic standards, the Rainforest Alliance links them to the global marketplace, where the demand for sustainably produced goods is on the rise. The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org  by: Peru Nature 0 Comments
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
 "Reading about and looking at pictures of the Amazon Rainforest is one thing; being in the thick of it is something else entirely! Every day was full of surprises at the TRC as there is such a wealth of biodiversity that it's impossible not to stumble on something new and unexpected as you go about your activities. And while the parrots fly home when night falls, it certainly didn't herald the end of the day but rather the beginning of a new one with its own unique challenges and rewards. Every day and every hour of my week there has been a memorable experience and, as I left, I was already thinking of when to return." ~Marc Oliver
Marc Oliver took some beautiful photos during his visit and was kind enough to share them with us. To see more of his work, check out his Flickr page.
 
Labels: Amazon rainforest, Peru, Peruvian Amazon, Photography, scarlet macaw, Tambopata National Reserve, tambopata research center, Tropical rainforest by: Peru Nature 0 Comments
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
 What is Ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is a psychotropic medicine originally used by indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforests of South America. It is taken as a drink prepared by a traditional healer, called a Shaman. Preparation involves boiling leaves from the Ayahuasca vine together with leaves from the Chacruna plant as well as the bark of various native trees. Ayahuasca should only be taken under the guidance of an experienced Shaman who can help an individual better understand their visions.
While Ayahuasca has been used by natives to the Amazon for more than 5,000 years, only in recent years has it gained the attention of modern doctors, psychologists, scientists, philosophers, and religious and spiritual leaders. It is said to have the ability to cure many ailments, including Parkinson’s disease, HIV, addictions, cancer, anxiety, depression. Whether looking for an alternative to modern medicine, seeking answers to life’s questions, or wanting nothing more than the cultural adventure, many travelers journey to Tambopata to participate in a traditional Ayahuasca ceremony.
What is an Ayahuasca ceremony?
An Ayahuasca ceremony is led by a Shaman and often takes place in a Maloka, which is a hut or a special place dedicated to the ritual. It takes place at night and can last anywhere from six to eight hours. Participants in the ceremony form a circle by sitting or laying on the floor on cushions or mats. Each person is given a container to use in the event that the medicine’s effects on the body induce vomiting. The atmosphere will be calm and the room will be dark or very faintly lit with candles.
The ceremony is sometimes opened by clearing the room of bad energy and evil spirits, this is done through carrying out a short ritual using leaves from the Tobacco plant, another master plant of the Amazon. Following this, each individual, one by one, is given the opportunity to drink Ayahuasca. The Shaman also takes the drink, this helps him understand and interpret each persons’ visions. Participants are encouraged to remain silent and relaxed while the Shaman chants. As the infusion begins to take effect, the Shaman may approach individuals to discuss their visions and offer comfort or encouragement. At the end of the evening, as the effects wear off, the ceremony is closed by lighting more candles and allowing participants to discuss their experiences with each other.
 How do I prepare for an Ayahuasca ceremony?
For three days prior and three days after, those who wish to take part in an Ayahuasca ceremony should abstain from alcohol, acidic foods (such as citrus), spicy foods, red meat (especially pork), papaya fruit (very common in the Amazon), and sexual activity. It is also important to prepare mentally for the ceremony, an Ayahuasca ceremony should be entered into with an open mind and positive attitude.
What does it taste like?
In general, Ayahuasca is not palatable, it is thick, gritty and bitter, with a mud-like consistency. The infusion is not drunk for it’s flavor as the taste alone can elicit a gag-reflex. Following the medicine with a glass of water will help take away the unpleasantness of the drink.
Will I vomit?
Ayahuasca is a purgative medicine, and while everyone reacts differently, vomiting is common. The Shamans believe this to be a means of expelling bad things inside of us, and is not something to be afraid of. In most Ayahuasca ceremonies, participants are provided with a vessel into which they can purge if necessary.
What will I see and experience when I take Ayahuasca?
Each person who takes Ayahuasca responds differently. For some, it can be a strictly visual experience, allowing them to see colors and shapes more brilliantly or see things that do not exist in the physical world. Others have described the experience as emotional sometimes causing them to cry. Shamans view crying as a form of positive emotional release. Many say that Ayahuasca helps them to better understand themselves or see certain situations in their life more clearly. They enter the ceremony with questions which the plant helps them answer. It has been said that Ayahuasca allows you to see into your past, present and future. While this may be true, it is important to remember that the visions you see may not be true representations of the future, but instead might represent your hopes or fears.
For some individuals, an Ayahuasca ceremony can be a very dark experience, giving them the perception of passing into the underworld from which only the Shaman can bring them back. Some have even described it as an exorcism of the demons inside themselves.
It is important to keep in mind that Ayahuasca is a curative plant, therefore, visions or feelings that you experience while on it are meant to help you to heal. Remember that is it important to take Ayahuasca in a safe place with an experienced Shaman who can support you and help you better understand your experience.
What will I feel like the day after?
The day after drinking Ayahusaca, you will feel tired from having stayed up late the night before. Many people describe feeling peaceful and reflective following an Ayahuasca ceremony.
If you are interested in having your own Ayahuasca experience, check out our wellness and holistic tours.
For further questions or to share your experience, please comment on this blog. Labels: ayahuasca, cultural activities, holistic, spiritual by: Peru Nature 0 Comments
Pandemonium Aviaries is located on the Peninsula near Stanford University in California. To shield the endangered bird species from too much human interaction and disruption, we do not publish our exact location and are not open to the public. Our main mission is to preserve certain bird species until they can be returned to the native habitats. Most of the birds face extinction due to habitat loss, competition with new predators, and war. We call our approach Avian Recovery for Conservation (ARC). The ARC Program is an innovative and forward thinking initiative dedicated to saving endangered birds and the rapidly disappearing knowledge necessary to sustain avian lives. If there is a choice, saving birds in their natural habitat is the preferred method. What do you do, however, if conservation in their natural habitat is not possible? The endangered birds that are the current focus of the ARC are endemic to New Guinea. Conditions on this island currently do not support adequate bird conservation. Pandemonium Aviaries has developed an innovative program to save target New Guinea birds by conserving those New Guinea bird (and their offspring) that were once imported into the USA. Our program makes it possible for aviculturists to breed parent raised birds for conservation purposes, rather than to breed them for sale to the pet market. We purchase flocks of endangered birds, and allow breeders to retain their birds until the breeders retire or die. Then the birds come to us. Furthermore, by apprenticing young bird breeders to master breeders, we ensure that breeding expertise and knowledge is preserved along with flocks. Our long term goal is return of our birds to the wild. At the cornerstone of ARC are partnerships with conservation groups who are experts in habitat protection, species reintroduction and avian health. We will protect birds and knowledge until it is safe to return them to the wild. At that point we will place the birds with our conservation partners since they have the expertise to complete the conservation program. We use established and proven conservation methods in a creative manner focusing on exotic birds currently in the USA. Our role is to preserve the birds, the knowledge and the art of bird keeping. At the cornerstone of ARC are partnerships with conservation groups who are experts in habitat protection, species reintroduction and avian health. We will protect birds and knowledge until it is safe to return them to the wild. At that point we will place the birds with our conservation partners since they have the expertise to complete the conservation program. ARC is a ten-year program. We have donated land, we have interested bird keeper/partners, we have the endorsement of major aviculture groups and leading scientists. Pandemonium Aviaries is poised for an immediate start once the funds are raised. We can’t wait. The flocks and the knowledgeable ‘old time’ bird keepers are aging. The window of opportunity is shrinking. Please contact info@PandemoniumAviaries.org if you can help. Take a video tour of Pandemonium Aviaries: Pandemonium Aviaries Video  by: Peru Nature 0 Comments
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