Jennifer's Brazilian Adventure: Journey to Brazil Through the Eyes of a GLT Scientist
Follow National Zoological Park GLT Scientist Jennifer Mickelberg as she travels to Brazil on a GLT journey. Come and meet new friends, explore Brazil and learn about GLTs from a whole new perspective!
Hi! My name is Jennifer Mickelberg (right). This is Andreia (left) and she is the field coordinator for the GLT reintroduction program here in Brazil. In the wild, GLT are only found in a small area in Brazil, but they live in zoos all across the globe.
Here's me posing with Andreia's very large family including her sister, nieces and nephews. They all live together in one house, which is not uncommon in Brazilian households.
Good morning or bom dia, as they say in Brazil! Andreia's mother has prepared a delicious breakfast including sliced papaya and an assortment of breads including a traditional corn bread cake.
The GLT field team on wheels! The population of reintroduced GLTs is scattered around the area so the field team needs a way to get around. These combes, as these vans are called in Brazil, transport the team from forest to forest and work great in the mud during the wet season.
Can I catch a ride? This curious GLT perches on the window of a vehicle. GLTs are just as interested in us as we are about them!
The Smithsonian's National Zoo has donated funds to the reintroduction program to help purchase one of the combes. Here is our logo proudly displayed on the side of the van!
I spy a group of GLTs in the wild! This is the first group we saw, Grupo Olympia on Fazenda Estreito. The parents of this group originally came from Zoo Atlanta. They were reintroduced in the year 2000, during the summer Olympics, hence the name. This was quite a successful reintroduction as the pair have produced several offspring since their reintroduction in Brazil.
Whatcha looking at? Two members of Grupo Olympia hanging out in a grove of bamboo.
Here's the daddy! This is the original captive male from Zoo Atlanta, grupo Olympia. It's so exciting to see the reintroduced GLTs thriving in the wild!
Here is another male from the group at Rio Vermelho. Rio Vermelho is the largest site for reintroduction; more than 200 GLTs live here!
Gotcha! This quick GLT has caught a tree frog!
This beautiful pink bloom is called a bromeliad. GLTs love to forage in bromeliads for insects.
GLTs hold a special place in the hearts of Brazilians. So much in fact that they use their image often, including on this fun payphone located in a town called São Vicente.
