Panama...Frogs and Manatees

"The Galapagos of Central America". A grand title for the Bocas del Toro region but well deserved. The diversity among the different islands is staggering. Birds like White-collard Seedeater vary from island to island, on some they have the regular white collar, on others the collar has almost disappeared. But it's the amphibians, and frogs in particular, that have the most incredible variation. Strawberry Poison Frog, Oophaga pumilio, is found on all of the larger islands and each island has its own unique colour variety found nowhere else in the world! There was bright orange, green and yellow with black spots, orange with black spots and my favourite, cobalt blue.

Strawberry Poison Frog, Bocas del Toro

Strawberry Poison Frog, blue morph

These stunning jewels are no bigger than your thumb nail.

In stark contrast, this Savage's Foam Frog, Leptodactylus savagei, is a giant around 6 inches from snout to vent!

Savage's Foam Frog

The following day it was time for a trip off the island. A lengthy boat trip to Almirante followed by an hour on the road took us up towards the border with Costa Rica. Banana plantations lined the last part of the route until we eventually reached our destination. Another 40 minute boat journey ensues as we head in search of manatees. We are joined by a group of VIPs who are involved with the conservation project and who have kindly allowed us access to the feeding station, a jetty and viewing platform set in the mangroves along the edge of the river.

Almirante

Almirante

Almirante - waterside homes.

Jim, Mike and Nigel with VIPs behind

Mangroves around the viewing platform

We were assured they would come and after an hour's wait, they did. Three turned up to feed on bunches of banana leaves suspended above the water. It was surreal to see these giant animals loom out of the murky, tannin-stained waters.

Manatee, feeding on banana leaves

They are bizarre animals, one of the highlights of the trip.

Green Heron, sharing the Mangroves with us.

Our last morning at Tranquilo Bay arrived and even as we finished our last shots around the grounds for the film, there were surprises to be had. One of the guides waved us over to a bush for a very unexpected sighting.

Mike Hutchinson in action

A Brown-throated three-fingered Sloth
and baby not three feet away!

We spent the last night in Bocas town to catch the early flight out to Panama City the next morning. We were heading back to the Darien Gap.