Tayra Educational Expeditions

Advanced primate behavioral ecology in Costa Rica: Establishing new field sites & surveying primates. August 1st – 21st, 2025.

Instructor: Dr. Jill Pruetz Texas State University, Professor of Anthropology.

This Advanced Primate Behavioral Ecology class is for students with some experience
in the field and/or with studying nonhuman primates. Students are expected to have
taken at least one course on primatology previous to this class. The course focuses on
survey methods and the logistics of establishing new field sites in northeastern Costa
Rica but includes some lectures on the primates at the site as well. A new lowland rainforest site (Mata Banana) will be mapped and marked for baseline surveys of howling
monkeys (Alouatta palliata), white-faced capuchins (Cebus imitator) and the Critically
Endangered black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) (photo above).
Participants will be based at the Camaquiri Conservation Initiative site ( https://www.-
camaquiri.com/ ), and the course will be managed by Tayra Travel ( https://www.tayratravel.com/ ). All in-country costs are included in the $2400 course price. Students are
expected to purchase their own flights to and from San Jose, Costa Rica, in coordination with Tayra Travel. To register for this course, go to the Tayra Travel website.
The class will take multiple short trips via truck to the nearby Mata Banana site to initiate
research, as well as practicing methods and surveying the CCI site as part of a longterm project on the conservation of Costa Rican monkeys. We will also travel by boat to
the Barra Colorado Field Station for a reconnaissance trip to this additional potential
primate research site. Students have the opportunity to be involved in future publications stemming from our fieldwork if they are interested. Our course will also involve
several virtual meetings between May and August 2025 in the months leading up to the
Costa Rica portion of the class in August. Dr Pruetz will assign several readings in MayJuly that pertain to the fieldwork that students will participate in upon arrival at the field
site. Students may receive credit via their own institution if desired, via communication
with Dr. Pruetz and their own institutions.

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Panama Birding Expedition: Panama Canal, Darien National Park & Embera Indigenous Encounter, July 5th – 14th, 2025.

Dr. Terry Master Distinguished Professor Emeritus, East Stroudsburg University.

This exclusive 10-day birding expedition invites you to immerse yourself in Panama’s remarkable landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and vibrant avian life. From the lush forests surrounding the iconic Panama Canal to the remote wilderness of Darien National Park, this journey offers unparalleled opportunities for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Our path will take us through Soberanía National Park, along the world-renowned Pipeline Road, and into the heart of Darien National Park, where the Embera Indigenous people live in harmony with the natural world. The tour's ultimate goal is to observe some of Panama’s most magnificent bird species, including the elusive Harpy Eagle, Crested Eagle and many other Neotropical species.
Trip Highlights
•	Panama Canal & Soberanía National Park
Begin your journey near the Panama Canal, exploring Soberanía National Park’s verdant forests along Pipeline Road—an internationally renowned birding destination. Here, we’ll look for colorful species such as motmots, tanagers, honeycreepers, toucans, and the occasional appearance of the Lance-tailed Manakin. Hummingbird feeders at Cerro Azul provide close encounters with these jewel-like birds, making for an unforgettable start to our adventure.
•	Darien National Park
Venturing deep into Darien, we’ll enter one of Panama’s most biodiverse and remote regions, home to a remarkable range of wildlife. Here, we’ll navigate winding rivers by dug-out canoe, hike forest trails, and scan the treetops for the Harpy Eagle, Panama’s national bird and the world’s most powerful raptor. Our sightings may include the Crested Eagle, as well as rare mammals like Ocelots, Tapirs, and night monkeys that share these pristine forests with Panama’s bird species.
•	Embera Indigenous Community
A highlight of our journey is a visit with the Embera people, who have lived in Darien for centuries, coexisting with the rich biodiversity that surrounds them. This immersive cultural experience allows us to learn about their traditions, knowledge of local flora and fauna, and their deep connection to this extraordinary environment.
Why Join This Expedition?
This small-group tour is limited to just 10 participants, ensuring an intimate, well-guided experience that allows for personal interactions with expert guides and fellow travelers. From birdwatching along the Panama Canal to the heart of the remote Darien jungle, this 10-day journey provides the chance to see Panama’s incredible biodiversity up close and offers an authentic look into the culture and traditions of the Embera people.
Join us for an unforgettable adventure that celebrates the natural beauty, cultural richness, and unmatched birdlife of Panama. Whether you are a seasoned birder or a nature enthusiast, this expedition promises encounters with some of the world’s most fascinating species in one of Central America’s last great wildernesses.

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Tropical Herpetology, 14th July - 3rd August, 2025.

Dr. Thomas LaDuke Professor of Biological Sciences East Stroudsburg University

This course covers the biology of the herpetofauna of Costa Rica with a focus on the diversity, ecology and behavior of species found in the northeastern lowlands. Brief lectures on the biology of each of the groups of amphibians and reptiles will be provided along with more general information on the evolution and biogeographic history of the region. Students will be required to learn to identify local amphibian and reptile species using dichotomous keys in conjunction with basic field characters and will devise and conduct a brief field study of their own. They will present the results of their study to the rest of the class. There will be practical exams and written exams as well as a write-up of the field study.
Course duration, 21 days. Students should expect rigorous trail experiences in all weather. The course will take place primarily at the Camaquiri Conservation Initiative property and will include visits to Barra del Colorado and one or two other locations.
Required texts:
Leenders, T. 2016. Amphibians of Costa Rica. Zona Tropical Press. Cornell University,Ithaca, NY.

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Primate Behavior and Ecology, August 1st - 21st and December 6th a 23rd, 2025.

Dr. Kaelyn Dobson Texas State University

This course on primate behavior and ecology is taught at the Camaquiri Conservation Initiative site in northeastern Costa Rica ( https://www.camaquiri.com ). Students will learn basic aspects of primate behavior and ecology through lectures and will learn techniques of behavioral observation and ecological measurement via group exercises. They will apply this knowledge to independent research projects on one of the three primate species occurring at Camaquiri and will present their findings at the end of the course.
Bio: Dr. Kaelyn Dobson, is a field primatologist focusing on the gut microbiome, behavior and conservation of primates of the Americas. Kaelyn has previously worked with primates in captive zoological (Texas, Alabama USA), in-situ rehabilitation (Panama, Costa Rica), zoological educational (Florida USA) and field research (Panama, Peru, South Africa, Swaziland, Costa Rica) roles. Current dissertation research focuses on the influences of captive housing and management protocols on the gut microbiome of squirrel monkeys with a Costa Rican wild comparative. Future work will expand upon the importance of the gut microbiome in an ecosystem based OneHealth long term project.

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Community Ecology using Cameras and Audio Recorders, June 5th to June 14 th, 2025.

Dr. Stephen Mech, biology professor at the University of Charleston, WV, studies human impacts on mammals and landscapes. He uses autonomous recorders to assess noise effects on vertebrates and has taught field ecology in the U.S. and Costa Rica. More Info

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Advanced primate behavioral ecology in Costa Rica: Establishing new field sites & surveying primates. August 1st – 21st, 2025.

Panama Birding Expedition: Panama Canal, Darien National Park & Embera Indigenous Encounter, July 5th – 14th, 2025.

Tropical Herpetology, 14th July - 3rd August, 2025.

Primate Behavior and Ecology, August 1st - 21st and December 6th a 23rd, 2025.

Community Ecology using Cameras and Audio Recorders, June 5th to June 14 th, 2025.