Where Tapirs and Jaguars Once Roamed: Ever-Evolving Costa Rica

by Jack Ewing

Overview

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.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940158353468
Publisher:	PixyJack Press, Inc.
Publication date:	04/22/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	849,899
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

The cattle business may have brought Jack Ewing to Costa Rica, but his love of nature kept him there. In 1970 Jack and his wife and young daughter ventured to Costa Rica for a 4-month job. They never left. Although life in the jungle with few modern conveniences was a far cry from his native Colorado roots, his ever-growing fascination with the rainforest soon prompted his transformation into environmentalist and naturalist.
Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge—a former cattle ranch and now a well-known ecotourism destination on the southwest coast of Costa Rica—was the result of Jack’s decades of dedication to forest ecology. His expertise on biological corridor projects is much sought after, and he is currently president of two environmental organizations, ASANA (Association of Friends of Nature) and FUNDANTA (Foundation for the Path of the Tapir Biological Corridor).
A natural-born storyteller, Jack’s articles have appeared regularly in Costa Rican publications, and he often speaks to environmental, student and ecological traveler groups. His years of living in the rainforest have rendered a multitude of personal experiences, many of which are recounted in his first book, Monkeys Are Made of Chocolate. His newest title, Where Tapirs and Jaguars Once Roamed, is a fascinating look at the ecological and social history of southwestern Costa Rica, including the evolution of Hacienda Barú and the Path of the Tapir.

Editorial Reviews

For Jack's many fans, the stories recalling episodes of his 45-year, personal evolution from cattle rancher, to emerging naturalist and conservationist, to renowned environmentalist will be equally enlightening and entertaining. This book will appeal to all ages and a wide range of readers...tourists, naturalists, environmentalists, natural history students, local history buffs and anyone who has had the pleasure of experiencing the natural Costa Rica that Jack has worked so hard to protect.

travel writer - Dorothy MacKinnon

Where Tapirs and Jaguars Once Roamed transports the reader into Costa Rica with an intimacy born from the author's life there and with a vividness that would be difficult to match even seeing it for yourself. It is fascinating and personal, never dry or academic, yet by the end there's no denying it's a thoroughly educational read.

Toucan Maps - Ray Krueger-Koplin

The Costa Rican conservation story is a fascinating one and Jack Ewing has been an incredibly effective participant in its success. The book gives a very real and personal context to it. And he's a great story teller as well. I loved it!

Binghamton Univ., NY - Professor Richard Andrus

Because of Jack Ewing and people like him we are sure to see the return of the tapir and jaguar to this extraordinary biological corridor, keeping this part of Costa Rica truly the 'rich coast' as it was meant to be. Where the Tapirs and Jaguars once Roamed is a must read for those who love Costa Rica and those yet to discover this beautiful country.

Quepolandia - Pat Cheek