A visitor’s view from the field: Dr Rebecca Spindler At Caño Palma Station
What happens when two seasoned conservation professionals step away from decades of desk-based work and return to the field, not for a week, but to truly immerse themselves in rainforest research?
In this first-hand account, Dr. Rebecca Spindler reflects on her time at COTERC’s Caño Palma Biological Station in Costa Rica, where she and her partner joined interns and researchers to conduct wildlife surveys, support long-term conservation science, and reconnect with the purpose that first drew them into the field. From river journeys and Great Green Macaws to sea turtle surveys and life at a remote research station, this is a story about conservation, community, and coming home to meaningful work.
Rebecca Spindler has worked in conservation science for 30 years and Duncan Bourne was a zoo professional for over 40 years.
We both have a background in zoology, but it has been a few years since we were able to leave the desk and go into the field undertaking concentrated studies on multiple species. In fact we are on a gap year for oldies, so have left the desks behind altogether. We had just traveled through Africa for 3 months, visiting private conservancies and National Parks, talking strategy, fundraising and prioritisation while seeing some of the most incredible landscapes and species. As fun as that was, we were aching to stay in one spot for a while and commit real time and energy to something worthwhile. While working at Toronto Zoo, we had heard of the great work of COTERC and thought this might be just the opportunity to visit and lend a hand to the science of the Cano Palma Station and immerse ourselves in beautiful Costa Rican nature. Little did we know.
Our adventures started with the beautiful and challenging drive through the mountains to La Pavona, a river boat to San Francisco and finally Charlotte and Manuel`s Station boat up the canal which was incredibly peaceful with flocks of egrets and the odd kingfisher flying in front of the boat. As we neared the Caño Palma research station, the Great Green Macaws broke the peace with a raucous call and the howler monkeys joined in….calls we would get to know well in the wee hours of our rainforest home.
We unloaded and settled in quickly, getting to know the other 7 interns that were studying here at the time. This was down from 18 in the peak season...and I admit to breathing a sigh of relief that we had not come at the busiest time, but these 20-something, bright young things were also warm, welcoming and very kind to us oldies… including us where they could, and actually making a big fuss about us during Thanksgivingmas. This is just one of the amazing considerations that Charlotte makes to the resident students, spending so much time away from home. We all participate in cooking but Charlotte manages the recipes and menus, purchases all the ingredients and even bakes hyper-realistic cakes in the theme of relevant research for all leavers and for random other occassions, on top of managing the entire facility, staff, equipment, infrastructure, strategy, budget, legal requirements and the research hand in hand with the Research Coordinator – all with humility and humour.
Our first week was a joy with kayaking through the National Park to record sign of Neotropical Otters, walking through the wilds of the Cano Palma and Cerro areas with local expert Manuel to find mammal sign and to assess the abodes of tent-making bats, being driven at night on the Station boat by Manuel - who was able to spot any living thing at 100 paces - to look for Caimen, Agami herons and snakes and sitting at some of the most stunning viewpoints in San Francisco to watch and record movements of the Great Green Macaws. We were in heaven. The second week we included walking the 10 k beach transect to assess sea turtle nests… adding this to our other walks, we did over 60kms in 4 days….this was nothing for the bright young things but I had to put my hand up and ask for the geriatric science schedule. Charlotte was kind enough to slant our schedules a little so we could genuinely contribute to the data collection, but take it a little easy on our aching joints.
These early days were heavy with rain and the river was steadily rising from the rainfall in the mountains. Despite this, Charlotte tells me that he third week was definitely not spent in flood…. It just did a very good impression of it. No water breached the kitchen threshold but we were all walking slowly through foot high water so as not to cause waves or inundate our gumboots. Looking from our elevated room, the bustling activity at the station had turned into a disjointed wedding ceremony, each walking to a slow ceremonial beat in different directions as we continued to prepare for surveys and the usual, essential tasks on the Station. I think I am safe to say now, without jinxing it… that the weather has been exceptionally good the last few weeks. The paths are relatively dry, the wildlife is out and able to be photographed and with only 2 weeks to go, I know I will miss this place enormously.
Waking to howler monkeys, pausing before I get up to hear any new birds or other primates near by that I might be able to see and/or photograph.
Performing the ballet of the kitchen and office with others to get supplies, coffee, data sheets, GPS, radio etc packed into dry bags in the dark and various stages of waking.
Undertaking a survey with confidence and the knowledge that I might be helping to inform conservation action by government or the local community.
Being utterly surrounded by wildlife and have the privilege of stepping out any door, standing quietly and recording 20 birds in 3 minutes.
Talking with the students to understand their goals, future plans and helping provide perspective of tough times and appreciate the value of their work.
Above all, learning from Charlotte and Manuel who have committed an astonishing 18 years to Cano Palma, are expert in all local wildlife, are embedded in the local community, run many educational programs and have strong ties to the Ministry for Agriculture and the Environment and other key scientific and conservation organisations in the area. They have taken COTERC the Caño Palma Biological tation to a place with a great reputation and a strong bank of data that will serve the organisation very well in the coming years and I am excited to see where COTERC will go next.
