New discovery to science in the Amazon

Crees’ research team uncover a species new to science in our nature reserve – a fascinating natural treasure that shows the importance of protecting regenerating rainforest. Our nature reserve at the Manu Learning Centre (MLC), in the remote corner of the Peruvian Amazon, was farmland only 50 years ago – some areas completely destroyed, others […]

New paper: why scientists must choose methods carefully

A study published yesterday states that researchers are arriving at contradictory conclusions about how well tropical forest biodiversity can recover after degradation. What does this mean for the scientific method and the protection of forests into the future? It is the mission of Dr Andrew Whitworth to understand the biodiversity value of regenerating topical forest […]

New research on reproduction of little-known Amazonian reptiles

Researchers here at the Manu Learning Centre (MLC) in the Peruvian Amazon publish much needed information on the reproductive cycles of two, elusive reptiles. The conservation status of the teiid lizard (Kentropyx altamazonica) and the Amazon Basin tree snake (Imantodes lentiferus) is unknown, as they have yet to be evaluated by the IUCN Red List […]

New Paper: Innovation in Tropical Herp Monitoring

A never before tested method rapidly gathers detailed data on the life history of relatively unknown rainforest reptiles and amphibians. Researchers based at the Manu Learning Centre in the Peruvian Amazon have had a paper published on the thread bobbin technique; a fast and cost-effective way of gathering ecological information about reptiles and amphibians (herpetofauna) […]

Advancing scientific knowledge in the Amazon

Research carried out by Crees scientists was published in three different journals last month, contributing to the understanding of tropical forests and their conservation. Every day, researchers here at the Crees Foundation are out in the field, collecting data through their numerous scientific surveys. Our plight is to advance conservation knowledge in this area of […]

What’s the biodiversity value of regenerating rainforest?

New research proves that even when rainforests are destroyed, high levels of biodiversity can return if the land is left to regenerate naturally and is protected from hunting and logging Only 37% of forest worldwide is considered to be primary, meaning the rest has been impacted by people – logged for its valuable hard wood, […]

First time first author: Lawrence Whittaker

Two years ago, Lawrence Whittaker left his home in Hampshire (UK) to pursue a research internship with the Crees Foundation, here in the Peruvian Amazon. Then, a recent graduate from The Open University, Lawrence is now a senior field staff member at the Manu Learning Centre. When he’s not leading surveys or getting caught up […]

First time first author: Alice Brown

When Alice Brown arrived at the Manu Learning Centre as an intern in 2012, she hoped for an educational experience that would allow her to both apply her undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences in situ and give her a taste of fieldwork. Nearly three years later, in September of this year, Alice left her position […]