Please Don’t Feed the Monkeys!

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is the home of the loudest monkey in the world. The common name is howler but the locals call them “congos.” They often sleep in the trees next to our bed and begin to howl at about 4:30 A.M. To some this might seem like a nuisance but my husband and I just smile because it reminds us how happy we are to be here instead of south bound on the 405 freeway in L.A. The male howler has an enlarged hollow bone near his vocal chords that amplifies his calls. Howlers are the largest and most aloof of the primates in Manuel Antonio. They choose the tallest trees and spend most of their time in the upper branches. They live on a leafy diet, which doesn’t provide an abundance of energy, so they rest and sleep a lot. Their black fur, the distance factor, and back lighting from the sun in the trees make them a challenge to photograph, so bring a zoom lens for your camera.

Costa Rica has four species of monkeys: the Mantled Howler, White-faced Capuchin, Red-backed Squirrel and Spider. All were once found in Manuel Antonio until a yellow fever epidemic in 1953 wiped out the spider monkey population. If you spend a week here you’ll likely see the three species that remain.

The capuchin’s local name is “Cara Blanca,” (white face). They’re the most dexterous of all primates. They manipulate objects so well there’s a nonprofit organization called Helping Hands based in Boston that trains capuchins to help paraplegics and quadriplegics. They can brush your teeth, scratch an itch, feed you with a straw, and even pop Casablanca into the DVD player.

The endangered red-backed squirrel monkey, locally known as “mono titi,” is the smallest of Costa Rica’s primates. This particular subspecies only exists in and around Manuel Antonio National Park and their estimated population is a mere 1300-1800. What makes them unique is their peaceful nature. Neither males nor females appear to be dominant over each other, whereas the other subspecies of squirrel monkeys squabble on a regular basis. Like the capuchin, red-backed squirrel monkeys live on a diet of fruit, insects, leaves and stems. They often play on our roof and on occasion mate on our terrace table.

An important issue with monkeys in Manuel Antonio is that tourists feed them. I once saw a tourist hand a potato chip to a capuchin. The capuchin slapped his hand, snatched the bag of chips and ran up a tree. Besides being outwitted by a monkey, this is wrong on so many levels. Irregular feeding makes monkeys aggressive toward humans as they look to them for food. Recently after my daughter and a friend had gone souvenir shopping a capuchin tried to snatch their bags no doubt assuming there was food inside. Feeding monkeys disrupts their normal foraging patterns as they gravitate toward the “easy” food. Now, I’m not saying monkeys are going to chase you around town, this was a highly unusual situation, but why forage for food when someone will deliver it?

Feeding monkeys can also be fatal to them. Humans can transmit diseases from their hands to monkeys who lack immunity. Although there are education programs in place this continues to be a problem. Unaware tourists arrive every day. Sometimes they see others feeding the monkeys and think it’s all right. Why not be part of the solution?

So now that you know feeding the monkeys is bad for them, how do you find them when you’re visiting densely forested Manuel Antonio? They can often be found by the beach around dusk as they head for their favorite trees to nest for the night. They can be found in the hillsides near your hotel or vacation rental home. You can use techniques I learned from orangutan trackers in Borneo. Be still, watch and listen. First, watch for the movement of branches in the trees. Next, listen for food falling to the forest floor, then for each monkey’s distinctive vocalization. Squirrel monkeys can sound like chirping birds; capuchins can sound like mewing kittens. As for Howlers, well, there’s no mistaking them. Their thunderous vocalizations will rock your world – literally.

Please Don’t Feed the Monkeys!

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is the home of the loudest monkey in the world. The common name is howler but the locals call them “congos.” They often sleep in the trees next to our bed and begin to howl at about 4:30 A.M. To some this might seem like a nuisance but my husband and I just smile because it reminds us how happy we are to be here instead of south bound on the 405 freeway in L.A. The male howler has an enlarged hollow bone near his vocal chords that amplifies his calls. Howlers are the largest and most aloof of the primates in Manuel Antonio. They choose the tallest trees and spend most of their time in the upper branches. They live on a leafy diet, which doesn’t provide an abundance of energy, so they rest and sleep a lot. Their black fur, the distance factor, and back lighting from the sun in the trees make them a challenge to photograph, so bring a zoom lens for your camera.

Costa Rica has four species of monkeys: the Mantled Howler, White-faced Capuchin, Red-backed Squirrel and Spider. All were once found in Manuel Antonio until a yellow fever epidemic in 1953 wiped out the spider monkey population. If you spend a week here you’ll likely see the three species that remain.

The capuchin’s local name is “Cara Blanca,” (white face). They’re the most dexterous of all primates. They manipulate objects so well there’s a nonprofit organization called Helping Hands based in Boston that trains capuchins to help paraplegics and quadriplegics. They can brush your teeth, scratch an itch, feed you with a straw, and even pop Casablanca into the DVD player.

The endangered red-backed squirrel monkey, locally known as “mono titi,” is the smallest of Costa Rica’s primates. This particular subspecies only exists in and around Manuel Antonio National Park and their estimated population is a mere 1300-1800. What makes them unique is their peaceful nature. Neither males nor females appear to be dominant over each other, whereas the other subspecies of squirrel monkeys squabble on a regular basis. Like the capuchin, red-backed squirrel monkeys live on a diet of fruit, insects, leaves and stems. They often play on our roof and on occasion mate on our terrace table.

An important issue with monkeys in Manuel Antonio is that tourists feed them. I once saw a tourist hand a potato chip to a capuchin. The capuchin slapped his hand, snatched the bag of chips and ran up a tree. Besides being outwitted by a monkey, this is wrong on so many levels. Irregular feeding makes monkeys aggressive toward humans as they look to them for food. Recently after my daughter and a friend had gone souvenir shopping a capuchin tried to snatch their bags no doubt assuming there was food inside. Feeding monkeys disrupts their normal foraging patterns as they gravitate toward the “easy” food. Now, I’m not saying monkeys are going to chase you around town, this was a highly unusual situation, but why forage for food when someone will deliver it?

Feeding monkeys can also be fatal to them. Humans can transmit diseases from their hands to monkeys who lack immunity. Although there are education programs in place this continues to be a problem. Unaware tourists arrive every day. Sometimes they see others feeding the monkeys and think it’s all right. Why not be part of the solution?

So now that you know feeding the monkeys is bad for them, how do you find them when you’re visiting densely forested Manuel Antonio? They can often be found by the beach around dusk as they head for their favorite trees to nest for the night. They can be found in the hillsides near your hotel or vacation rental home. You can use techniques I learned from orangutan trackers in Borneo. Be still, watch and listen. First, watch for the movement of branches in the trees. Next, listen for food falling to the forest floor, then for each monkey’s distinctive vocalization. Squirrel monkeys can sound like chirping birds; capuchins can sound like mewing kittens. As for Howlers, well, there’s no mistaking them. Their thunderous vocalizations will rock your world – literally.

Please Don’t Feed the Monkeys!

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is the home of the loudest monkey in the world. The common name is howler but the locals call them “congos.” They often sleep in the trees next to our bed and begin to howl at about 4:30 A.M. To some this might seem like a nuisance but my husband and I just smile because it reminds us how happy we are to be here instead of south bound on the 405 freeway in L.A. The male howler has an enlarged hollow bone near his vocal chords that amplifies his calls. Howlers are the largest and most aloof of the primates in Manuel Antonio. They choose the tallest trees and spend most of their time in the upper branches. They live on a leafy diet, which doesn’t provide an abundance of energy, so they rest and sleep a lot. Their black fur, the distance factor, and back lighting from the sun in the trees make them a challenge to photograph, so bring a zoom lens for your camera.

Costa Rica has four species of monkeys: the Mantled Howler, White-faced Capuchin, Red-backed Squirrel and Spider. All were once found in Manuel Antonio until a yellow fever epidemic in 1953 wiped out the spider monkey population. If you spend a week here you’ll likely see the three species that remain.

The capuchin’s local name is “Cara Blanca,” (white face). They’re the most dexterous of all primates. They manipulate objects so well there’s a nonprofit organization called Helping Hands based in Boston that trains capuchins to help paraplegics and quadriplegics. They can brush your teeth, scratch an itch, feed you with a straw, and even pop Casablanca into the DVD player.

The endangered red-backed squirrel monkey, locally known as “mono titi,” is the smallest of Costa Rica’s primates. This particular subspecies only exists in and around Manuel Antonio National Park and their estimated population is a mere 1300-1800. What makes them unique is their peaceful nature. Neither males nor females appear to be dominant over each other, whereas the other subspecies of squirrel monkeys squabble on a regular basis. Like the capuchin, red-backed squirrel monkeys live on a diet of fruit, insects, leaves and stems. They often play on our roof and on occasion mate on our terrace table.

An important issue with monkeys in Manuel Antonio is that tourists feed them. I once saw a tourist hand a potato chip to a capuchin. The capuchin slapped his hand, snatched the bag of chips and ran up a tree. Besides being outwitted by a monkey, this is wrong on so many levels. Irregular feeding makes monkeys aggressive toward humans as they look to them for food. Recently after my daughter and a friend had gone souvenir shopping a capuchin tried to snatch their bags no doubt assuming there was food inside. Feeding monkeys disrupts their normal foraging patterns as they gravitate toward the “easy” food. Now, I’m not saying monkeys are going to chase you around town, this was a highly unusual situation, but why forage for food when someone will deliver it?

Feeding monkeys can also be fatal to them. Humans can transmit diseases from their hands to monkeys who lack immunity. Although there are education programs in place this continues to be a problem. Unaware tourists arrive every day. Sometimes they see others feeding the monkeys and think it’s all right. Why not be part of the solution?

So now that you know feeding the monkeys is bad for them, how do you find them when you’re visiting densely forested Manuel Antonio? They can often be found by the beach around dusk as they head for their favorite trees to nest for the night. They can be found in the hillsides near your hotel or vacation rental home. You can use techniques I learned from orangutan trackers in Borneo. Be still, watch and listen. First, watch for the movement of branches in the trees. Next, listen for food falling to the forest floor, then for each monkey’s distinctive vocalization. Squirrel monkeys can sound like chirping birds; capuchins can sound like mewing kittens. As for Howlers, well, there’s no mistaking them. Their thunderous vocalizations will rock your world – literally.

Please Help Me Title This Poem That I Wrote. And Tell Me What You Think Of It.?

If I am tempted to die before I wake, I pray to my Lord that my soul won’t break./
Shaking the fear of snakes who decided to stay up late to, try my faith./
“Does he have what it takes?”/
Mediocre or great?/
And time won’t wait./
Besides my side isn’t on time and I know time isn’t on my side./
So when you stare in the eyes of I, you’ll find a driven king who refuse to die./
Should you ask why? Check out my past:/
I see past the false subliminal and advertisements./
A wise man told me to search for myself behind my eye lids./
Yet I started crying, but then I remember that my uncle told me that men don’t cry./
Subsequently my aunt told me that men do lie./
So I lied on my pillow with my eyes close.
Until the sun-light rose and shined on my face. And I saw me with my back against a willow tree./
I called my name but I started running from me./
I ran after until I found a imitation/
who discourage me from chasing but little did the counterfeit know that I’m motivated by the doubt of my critics./
So i ran further
until i hear the little boy who stuttered.
And his peers deserted him so he started searching for his mother./
But his mother was searching for a man to love her.
And that man was looking for a one night stand undercover./
So i ran more
until i found a door , room 13. I was about to intrude but I saw a teenager coming out the room./
Black eyed, bloody nose, jeans with grass stains, and you can see the white meat in his knuckles./
He said that he was a victim of gang violence but he just wanted to get food from the store so that him and his sister could eat./
He said “Three days a week i had to walk this street. It was like the gangsters heard my stomach growling so they served up beef.
and one dude had heat and he threaten to use it if I swing again.”/
I asked how old were these boys and he responded that they were grown men./
I wanted to hug this boy but he ran from me too./
So i stopped running because I was low on stamina./
Then I decided to write a letter to God but I was unable to./
And then all components that made up me came back./
And they said that they ran from me because I denied the fact:
-that I am unable to die and that nothing and no one defines my ability, but me./
Should you ask why? My answer is that on the other side of that willow tree was God./
And while that stuttering little boy was searching for his mom, there was God./
When the teenager came out the room bloody nose and black eyed/
that there was something much greater than his circumstances that was holding him together./
Motivated him to believe that if he go after his dreams that he can endure any weather./
So if I am tempted to die before I wake, I pray to my Lord that my soul won’t break./

Mature Poets Only. Please Tell Me Whats Confusing About This Poem That I Wrote.?

If I am tempted to die before I wake, I pray to my Lord that my soul won’t break./
Shaking the fear of snakes who decided to stay up late to, try my faith./
“Does he have what it takes?”/
Mediocre or great?/
And time won’t wait./
Besides my side isn’t on time and I know time isn’t on my side./
So when you stare in the eyes of I, you’ll find a driven king who refuse to die./
Should you ask why? Check out my past:/
I see past the false subliminal and advertisements./
A wise man told me to search for myself behind my eye lids./
Yet I started crying, but then I remember that my uncle told me that men don’t cry./
Subsequently my aunt told me that men do lie./
So I lied on my pillow with my eyes close.
Until the sun-light rose and shined on my face. And I saw me with my back against a willow tree./
I called my name but I started running from me./
I ran after until I found a imitation/
who discourage me from chasing but little did the counterfeit know that I’m motivated by the doubt of my critics./
So i ran further
until i hear the little boy who stuttered.
And his peers deserted him so he started searching for his mother./
But his mother was searching for a man to love her.
And that man was looking for a one night stand undercover./
So i ran more
until i found a door , room 13. I was about to intrude but I saw a teenager coming out the room./
Black eyed, bloody nose, jeans with grass stains, and you can see the white meat in his knuckles./
He said that he was a victim of gang violence but he just wanted to get food from the store so that him and his sister could eat./
He said “Three days a week i had to walk this street. It was like the gangsters heard my stomach growling so they served up beef.
and one dude had heat and he threaten to use it if I swing again.”/
I asked how old were these boys and he responded that they were grown men./
I wanted to hug this boy but he ran from me too./
So i stopped running because I was low on stamina./
Then I decided to write a letter to God but I was unable to./
And then all components that made up me came back./
And they said that they ran from me because I denied the fact:
-that I am unable to die and that nothing and no one defines my ability, but me./
Should you ask why? My answer is that on the other side of that willow tree was God./
And while that stuttering little boy was searching for his mom, there was God./
When the teenager came out the room bloody nose and black eyed/
that there was something much greater than his circumstances that was holding him together./
Motivated him to believe that if he go after his dreams that he can endure any weather./
So if I am tempted to die before I wake, I pray to my Lord that my soul won’t break./