The 2011 Tropical Field Ecology course is in full swing. We've been at Cano Palma Biological Station near Tortuguero, Costa Rica for three weeks. Everyone has settled into their routine and the research is going well.

Our next phase is to provide everyone with the opportunity to complete their qualification to lead patrols on the beach, process snakes on their own, and gain more practical Spanish language skills.

To qualify as a patrol leader, each member of the team will have to:

• demonstrate an understanding of marine turtle biology and conservation
• communicate the goals and objectives of the monitoring program effectively
• safely and effectively lead a team on the beach
• demonstrate the ability to competently manage a team and work a nesting turtle on the beach including
  • identifying the species of turtle
  • identifying the various stages of activity when encountering turtles
  • effectively communicate each step to be completed by the team when working the turle
  • relocate a nest
  • ensure data integrity is maintained during collection, data entry and analysis

Processing snakes is relatively straight forward provided the snake is not venomous. Our team will not be processing venomous snakes on their own. Each person will have to:

• demonstrate an abiiity to identify the common snake species found in the area
• demonstrate safe and effective handling techniques during capture and processing
• effectively collect and record data including
  • snout-vent length
  • tail length
  • jaw length
  • head depth
  • weight
• demonstrate an understanding of the general biology of the common snake species found at Cano Palma

Everyone is progressing very well and we expect that everyone will successfully complete the necessary qualifiations. [read blogs] [read about course]