Conservation Medicine and Conservation Biology

  Costa Rica

• San Jose: 
San Jose
• North Western Region: 
Alajuela,  Guanacaste
• Monteverde: 
Monteverde

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 18 - July 19, 2010

Description: Conservation medicine is an emerging field that is concerned with the interface between human health, animal health (both wild and domestic) and ecosystem health. It is a synthesis of the fields of veterinary medicine,public health,ecology, forestry and natural resources and the principles of conservation biology,biogeography,population genetics, economics,sociology,anthropology,philosophy and other disciplines to understand and maintain biological diversity throughout the world.

Professionals faced with a career in wildlife health,wildlife biology,wildlife management, human-animal or domestic animal/wildlife-interface issues and those interested in habitat/wildlife conservation will benefit from a solid foundation in both of these disciplines. An international location for this course lends itself well to covering issues facing the developing world such as emergent diseases, and animal and public health challenges. This 31 day course aims to provide students from various backgrounds with the opportunity to learn and practice the principles of conservation biology/medicine using the ecology and fauna of Costa Rica (an area of rich biodiversity with a long history of conservation research. The three instructors have considerable field experience in the Old and New World Tropics and have published extensively in the fields of conservation medicine and conservation biology.

Highlights:
General Travel outline
June 19th-travel to Costa Rica

Central Valley
- June20th-Day trip from Alajuela
- June 21st-Day trip from Alajuela
- June 22nd-26th/27th-ZooAve
- Anesthetize, examine and collect biological samples from all animals in wildlife -Rehabilitation Center; chemical immobilization; invasive species;issues surrounding wildlife regulations and illegal pet trade; wildlife as pets;

Student presentations of native fauna represented at ZooAve; capture Bufo marinus and Turdus grayii at ZooAve; vet student presentation of anesthetic protocols

Guanacaste Province
- June 28th - travel to Liberia
- June 29th-Visit Santa Rosa National Park, (dry tropical forest; conservation and health of mammals in Costa Rica; reforestation in Costa Rica)
- June 30th-travel to Playa Grande, Baula Marine National Park
- June 30th-July 7th-Playa Grande
- Investigate biodiversity of marine park; emergent diseases of marine organisms; tidal pool ecosystem exercises; tidal pool biodiversity; marine turtle conservation project and monitoring; capture Bufo marinus and Turdus grayii; pollution in aquatic systems; wildlife student presentations of predator snail system on Playa Grande

Wetlands
- July 8th-travel to Palo Verde National Park
- July 9th-Rio Tempisque tour
- July 10th-Palo Verde National Park; lowland dry forest; wetlands and avian migrations; emergent diseases and global routes of transmission; drivers of vector borne disease emergence; mosquito vector exercises; capture Ctenosaurus, Bufo marinus and Turdus grayii; student presentations of wetland ecosystem and disease transmission

Highlands
- July 11th-travel to UGA San Luis Research Station
- July 12-th 19th-Monteverde; highland pre-montane and montane rainforest; amphibian decline; global climate change; carbon credit system and replanting; human-domestic-wildlife animal interface issues
- June 19th-packing; all journals and assignments are due
- July 20th-Fly back to USA

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: USD 3,750

The cost of the program covers ground transportation, lodging, meals, study abroad insurance, entry fees, and research applies. Additional costs include personal items and airfare.

***Note: Out-of-state students pay in-state tuition. The Hope scholarship applies.

Experience Required: yes

Open to undergraduates and graduates studying ecology; open to veterinary students.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available. Please contact UGA Costa Rica for more information on scholarships and financial aid.

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

University of Georgia's Mission Statement: Our Mission is to provide excellence in academic programs and research opportunities while serving as the best equipped social, cultural, environmental and international facility of the University of Georgia. Our Vision is to work under the principles of environmental, cultural, social and economic stability, as well as to serve as an example of sustainability to the academic and non-academic communities of Costa Rica, Latin America and the World.

Year Founded: 1785