research
Project Callitrichid
Project Callitrichid has been conceptualized since 2012/2014
Research trips took place in 2014/2019/2020/2022 taking complex environmental parameters in varied control zones in differing forest types. Ex-situ Callitrichids suffer a host of health problems attributed with low Vit D levels and lack of ability to absorb it dietarily in a beneficial way, current assumptions are translated from reptile data and therefore not suitable for the intended species.
Data has been collected in the the Pantanal, Amazon & Atlantic Rainforest, covering over 5 species.
We have multiple papers underway looking at parameters, correlations between them and where various species place with regards to exposure, due to some of the values being dangerously high publications are being complied slowly to ensure safe recommendations.
Along with in-situ data being used to improve ex-situ husbandry, territorial data and population estimates on invasive Callitrichids along with the Endangered Golden Lion Tamarin can be used for the conservation of the species.
Company Director Steve Goodwin is now the EAZA Callitrichid tag advisor for UVB.
Project Sloth
Started in its infancy in 2020 but came to grow into a larger scale project in 2023 after Global experts met at the 2nd International Sloth Symposium to discuss in-site & ex-situ issues and what problems correlated. We were approached to adapt our techniques to collect specific data not only comparing our control zones like we do as standard practice, but to triple them comparing pristine/partially damaged/very damaged forests in Costa Rica (data has been collected in Brazil).
After this we would make 24hour observations on Sloths and looking for trends in preferencing and parameter exposure, the long term benefits on this project is once data is published it will be used to reduce/modify tree trimming practices in a specific region that we hope can be used as an example for other regions. This safeguards forests for Sloths and the hundreds of species the share their habitat with.
Along with all the benefits of this, ex-situ Sloth will benefit significantly from all the wild data, meaning we can provide considerably better husbandry for Sloths in human care.
Long term research is required and Phase 1 of major data collection starts March 2025.
Project Tamandua
Will be looking at habitat preferences, nesting, micro habitat usage and time spent on ground and using burrows.
Along with taking complex habitat parameters we will be looking at populations and territories to get a picture of forest type/preferencing and space required to maintain populations in a specific region.
Data collected will also have enormous benefits to ex-situ animals to improve their welfare.
Phase one of this project starts March/April 2025.
Project Armadillo
Will be taking ground level & burrow parameters in unique micro-habitats,
data has already been collected in the Pantanal, Atlantic Rainforest, Amazon Rainforest covering multiple species.
Data collected will also have enormous benefits to ex-situ animals to improve their welfare.
Phase one of this project starts March/April 2025.
Project Primate
Data collection for the project so far has been sourced from the Atlantic Rainforest, Amazon, Pantanal & Costa Rica. Complex environmental data will continue to be taken in the various types of tropical forests to give us insight into species habitat requirements for Neotropical Primates.
This data will be used to help guide changes in ex-situ Primate husbandry.
We have multiple active projects, upcoming and projects in development.