In the last century, the south-central Pacific coast of Costa Rica evolved from a wild, remote strip of land to one sparsely populated by homesteaders who cleared the forests to live off the land. Now it is a popular tourist destination filled with diverse wildlife in the abundant rainforests. Join author Jack Ewing as he reveals the ever-changing and fascinating history of the area and recounts his 45-year journey from managing a cattle ranch to developing Hacienda Barú into a National Wildlife Refuge. And discover how his efforts with the Path of the Tapir Biological Corridor may one day bring jaguars and tapirs back to the area.

Insight Explore Guides: pocket-sized books to inspire your on-foot exploration of top international destinations. Experience the best of Costa Rica with this indispensably practical Insight Explore Guide. From making sure you don't miss out on must-see attractions like the Arenal Volcano, to discovering hidden gems, including the remote Osa Peninsula, the easy-to-follow, ready-made walking routes will help you plan your trip, save you time, and enhance your exploration of this fascinating country. Practical, pocket-sized and packed with inspirational insider information, this will make the ideal on-the-move companion to your trip to Costa Rica Enjoy 12 irresistible Best Routes to walk, from the capital San Jos to the cloud forest of Monteverde Features concise insider information about landscape, history, food and drink, and entertainment options Invaluable maps: each Best Route is accompanied by a detailed full-colour map, while the large pull-out map provides an essential overview of the area Discover your destination's must-see sights and hand-picked hidden gems Directory section provides invaluable insight into top accommodation, restaurant and nightlife options by area, along with an overview of language, books and films About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps as well as phrasebooks, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.

An ornithologist's personal look at farming practices that finds practical solutions for sustainable food production compatible with bird and wildlife conservation With predictions of a human population of more than nine billion by the middle of this century and eleven billion by 2100, we stand at a crossroads in our agricultural evolution. In this clear and engaging yet scientifically rigorous book, wildlife biologist John M. Marzluff takes a personal approach to sustainable agriculture. He travels to farms and ranches across North and Central America, including a Nebraska corn and soybean farm, California vineyards, cattle ranches in Montana, and small sustainable farms in Costa Rica, to understand the unique challenges and solutions to sustainable food production. Agriculture and wildlife can coexist, Marzluff argues, if farmers are justly rewarded for conservation; if future technological advancements increase food production and reduce food waste; and if consumers cut back on meat consumption. Beginning with a look backward at our evolutionary history and concluding with practical solutions for change that will benefit farmers and ranchers, he provides an accessible and insightful study for the ecologically minded citizen, farmer, rancher, or conservationist.

Costa Rica is an eco-travel paradise! From pristine beaches and jungle waterfalls to high-altitude coffee farms, Costa Rica: The Complete Guide puts the best of Costa Rica at your fingertips. Over 500 five-star reviews for previous editions Blending detailed travel tips with beautiful photography, this guidebook offers much more than just restaurant and hotel reviews. Fascinating chapters explore Costa Rica's unique history, culture, food, ecology and wildlife. Top 10 Ways to Avoid a Cultural Misunderstanding helps visitors avoid common and potentially embarrassing mistakes. Discover what makes Costa Rica one of the world's most amazing destinations. Soar above the cloud forest on a Monteverde zipline. Spend the night at a deluxe ecolodge next to Arenal Volcano. Visit the world-class beaches at Manuel Antonio National Park. Watch sea turtles lay their eggs at Tortuguero. Plan the perfect Costa Rican vacation! Filled with insider tips to save you time and money! • Over 300 beautiful color photos • Over 30 detailed maps • Fascinating chapters on History, Culture and Food • Informative guide to Wildlife and Ecology A portion of the profits donated to environmental organizations working to preserve Costa Rica's biodiversity for future generations *Printed on sustainable FSC paper

Presents miscellaneous facts about a variety of animals.

Discover the mysterious and fascinating ways in which animals and plants-and people-interact with one another in the rainforests of Costa Rica. Author and naturalist Jack Ewing shares a wealth of observations and experiences, gathered from more than three decades of living in southwestern Costa Rica, home to some of the most prolific and diverse ecosystems on Earth. More than just a simple collection of essays, Monkeys are Made of Chocolate is a testament to the wonder of life in all its countless guises, as seen through the eyes of a man with a gift for subtle discernment and a natural flair for storytelling.

The jaguar is one of the most mysterious and least-known big cats of the world. The largest cat in the Americas, it has survived an onslaught of environmental and human threats partly because of an evolutionary history unique among wild felines, but also because of a power and indomitable spirit so strong, the jaguar has shaped indigenous cultures and the beliefs of early civilizations on two continents. In An Indomitable Beast: The Remarkable Journey of the Jaguar, big-cat expert Alan Rabinowitz shares his own personal journey to conserve a species that, despite its past resilience, is now on a slide toward extinction if something is not done to preserve the pathways it prowls through an ever-changing, ever-shifting landscape dominated by humans. Rabinowitz reveals how he learned from newly available genetic data that the jaguar was a single species connected genetically throughout its entire range from Mexico to Argentina, making it unique among all other large carnivores in the world. In a mix of personal discovery and scientific inquiry, he sweeps his readers deep into the realm of the jaguar, offering fascinating accounts from the field. Enhanced with maps, tables, and color plates, An Indomitable Beast brings important new research to life for scientists, anthropologists, and animal lovers alike. This book is not only about jaguars, but also about tenacity and survival. From the jaguar we can learn better strategies for saving other species and also how to save ourselves when faced with immediate and long-term catastrophic changes to our environment.