Have you ever wondered how life is always on time even when you’re late?
By Safina Center Senior Fellow Erik Callender
Two scarlet macaws. Photo courtesy of Erik Callender.
My Safina Center Fellowship began with a trip to Costa Rica to live stream rainforest animals with children in New York. I arrived to San Jose, Costa Rica the same day as our first rainforest animal program with a school in Maspeth, NY on Long Island.
All was going well, except that I forgot there was a one hour time difference, and the first program was scheduled at 11:00 am EST (10:00 am Costa Rica time.)
After running through the airport, getting my passport stamped, and grabbing my baggage, we had just 20 minutes before our first live session was scheduled to start. I had to think fast!
As I approched the exit, my driver was waiting there with a name card that said Mr. Erik.
“Hello James!” I said quickly while shaking his had as my bags were falling off my shoulders.
“Can you please take me to the closest rescue center, any rescue center that will have animals?!” I said with a voice of concern. "Ok, Mr. Erik," he said with a grin, and a magical adventure began!
James Brown, Amy and Erik at Rescate Wildlife Center on February 8th 2023, just after completing four Wildlife awareness sessions with 20 class rooms at IS 73 Middle School in Maspeth, New York. Photo courtesy of Erik Callender.
We arrived at the Rescate Wildlife Center, and a lady named Amy approached me and asked what I was doing. I briefly explained that I was on a zoom call with a school in New York.
“Can I join you?” she asked enthusiastically. “Sure!” I replied, and off we went.
This was the best, a super bonus! Amy knew the rescue stories behind every animal there! An illegal pet boa constrictor, two caimans, tons of non-native red-eared slider turtles, two sloths, a tapir, and even a jaguar!
These animals were awesome! However, the most magical of all of the creatures we saw that day were the scarlet macaws. Why the macaws? It turns out that they were part of a super successful project that released more than 300 captive pet macaws back into the wild. Wow!
This was thrilling, and it got even better. Just before leaving for Costa Rica, I went to meet Dr. Safina and Mayra at the Safina Center Office. Carl graciously signed a stack of his books for me to share.
One of them titled Becoming Wild had a picture of a blue and gold Macaw on the cover.
As Amy was explaining to me the details of the “Macaw Project” I instantly remembered Carl's book. "Amy, you must have a copy of this book! It's amazing, and shares the lives of three species of animals, including Macaws!" After giving her a signed copy, James and I left.
Ten minutes later Amy called me and said, “Erik, you won’t believe this. The scientist that studies the macaws for our project, Dr. Donald Bright Smith, is in this book!"
“WOW! Are you serious?” I said full of joy and wonder. “YES!” “Can we plan an episode of our PBS kids series about this!” “Sure!” Amy said, and this glorious adventure continued to unfold.
Amy and Erik with a copy of Becoming Wild by Carl Safina. Dr. Donald Bright Smith, the scientist involved in the Macaw Project that releases captive Macaws into the wild, is featured in the book. Photo courtesy of Erik Callender.