 Dear {FIRST_NAME}, We are pleased to share with you our Spring 2006 Newsletter! Read on to hear about our recent adventures tracking jaguars and how drinking vodka is helping Friends of Calakmul (really!)
But first, some good news....
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Friends of Calakmul in Today's New York Times! Today, Friends of Calakmul and our land trust partner, D&R Greenway, were featured in the Science Times section of the New York Times. The story highlights the unique partnership that FOC and D&R Greenway have created to help save migratory birds that travel from New Jersey to spend the winter in the Yucatan Peninsula. Check us out!
Friends of Calakmul Newsroom |
How Big Cats are Saving Small Birds
In February and March 2006, the Friends of Calakmul team led two trips to the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and surrounding areas. The first was a tour of the region for Guy Foulks of the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act program and Dani Danton, a long-time supporter of Friends of Calakmul.
FOC Executive Director, Cheri Sugal, along with several researchers from FOC’s partner, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), led the group and provided an insiders' view of the scientific studies currently underway to gain a better understanding of jaguars' movements in the area.
The team started the expedition visiting the ruins in the 1.8 million-acre Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and went on to explore the surrounding areas identified by UNAM as critically important for the long-term survival of jaguars.
While jaguars have been the focus of scientific studies in the area, this group was also interested in seeing, first hand, some of wide variety of neo-tropical migratory birds in the region. Close to 100 species including those seen on the trip--the black-and-white warbler, magnolia warbler, hooded warbler, and american redstart--migrate through from the United States and winter in Calakmul and the Yucatan peninsula every year.
Recognizing the area’s significance to migratory birds, the US Fish and Wildlife Service is providing funding to Friends of Calakmul for research, monitoring and habitat protection. Their support also helps FOC run educational workshops with local communities on the importance of conservation in the Calakmul region. The New Jersey-based Land Trust, D&R Greenway, is also providing support to Friends of Calakmul to protect habitat for the 65 species of neo-tropical migratory birds that come from New Jersey to Calakmul every winter (see New York Times Article above).
As a further testament to the outstanding biodiversity of the region, the group visited a bat cave that houses and estimated one million bats – the second largest bat cave in the Americas.
Our second trip to Calakmul was focused on big cats. FOC’s co-founders, donors and the Mexican media, went to Calakmul to see first hand the process of tracking and radio-collaring jaguars – a 9-year scientific study led by FOC partners, UNAM and Ecosafaris.
Ecosafaris' founder, Antonio Rivera, previously worked as a big game hunter but when so much of the land in the Calakmul region was put under protection, he dedicated himself to conservation work. His methodology of tracking jaguars – using blood hounds to track the scent – is innovative and unique and has allowed researchers to gather important information on jaguar behavior which is often very difficult to obtain
This second trip was extremely successful. We tracked two jaguars in two days: one male and one female. Since the research project is coming to an end, researchers gathered the collar from the female (see photos above). The program of putting radio and GPS collars on jaguars has allowed FOC to identify the areas most significant for ensuring the survival of the jaguar population in Calakmul.
www.calakmul.org |
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Jaguar Vodka helps Friends of Calakmul  Friends of Calakmul recently formed an unusual alliance with CJCK Business Inc, the ATF importer and wholesaler of Amazon Rainforest Vodka. Traditionally this company has been donating the proceeds from the sale of each bottle of Amazon Rainforest Vodka Rainforest Preservation Foundation to purchase 5,000 square foot parcels of pristine Amazon Rainforest property. Thus far, they have helped to save more than 5 million square feet of rainforest on their test brand Amazon Rainforest Vodka.
Recently, the company has started importing Jaguar Vodka, which was debuted at an expo in Las Vegas and was well received by distributors in 39 states. The company will be donating the proceeds from the sale of Jaguar Vodka to Friends of Calakmul, to help save jaguars in their natural habitat.
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If any of you are planning to visit the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, here are a few useful planning tips: 1. Rent a car from Continental in Chetumal:
Ph: (52) (983) 83 - 224 - 11
www.continentalcar.com.mx
2. Stay at the Chicanna EcoVillage in Chetumal
Ph: (52) (983) 871 - 60 - 74
chicanna@campeche.sureste.com
Its about 2 hours from the entrance to the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. See photo (right).
3. For a more pampered experience, stay at the Explorean in Kohunlich
e-mail: contact@explorean.com
Mexico City : 52.55.5201.8333
Mexico : dial toll free 01.800.366.6666
Canada and USA : 1.877.EXPLORA
Europe : +49 69 66419 640
Rest of the World : 52.55.5201.8333
4. End your trip with a visit to Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve further up the coast (about 2.5 hours north of Chetumal). You can stay in any of the hotels in Tulum or inside the reserve:
Ph: (52) (998) 884 - 9580
www.ecotravelmexico.com
5. Don't forget the insect repellant! |  |
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