RESEARCH STUDY ON THE POPULATION OF THE CAYMAN (CAIMAN CROCODILUS- CROCODILUS) IN HATO PIÑERO, VENEZUELA
Woodward, A.R. and David, D.
Florida Reptile Tanning Inc. U.S.A.
C.A. Agropecuaria San Francisco- Hato Piñero, Venezuela
Objective: to estimate the population numbers for this specie in Hato Piñero, and to study their habitats and biology with the intent to better evaluate the possibility for the rational commercial exploitation of the species.

ECOLOGICAL IMPACT OF THE AREA "QUEBRADA DE AGUA"- HATO PIÑERO, STATE OF COJEDES
Casler, C. and Rios, U.G.
Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela
Universidad Nacional Experimental de Los Llanos Ezequiel Zamora. Guanare, Venezuela
Objective: to assess the effect the agronomic development of the area "Quebrada de Agua" (Hato Piñero) and to better determine the negative impact such exploitation might bring to the ecology of the region.

DIETARY PATTERNS OF THE CAIMAN CROCODILUS IN THE VENEZUELAN LLANOS
Fitzgerald, L.A.
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, U.S.A.
Objective: to determine the dietary habits of the caymans (Caiman cocodrilus) according to age, size, and concentration, and taking into consideration their assimilation, and the natural resources of the area.

BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE PECCARY (TAYASSU TAYACU AND T. PECARI) IN THE STATE OF COJEDES, COMPARATIVE STUDY
Barreto, G. and Hernandez, O.E.
Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
Objective: to characterize and compare the diets of both species based on direct observation, analysis of stomach contents, excrement, and conducted behavioral studies.

INVENTORY OF BIRDS IN SEMI-DECIDUOUS FORESTS IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF THE STATE OF COJEDES, HATO PIÑERO
Rios, G and Licata, A.
Universidad Nacional Experimental de Los Llanos Ezequiel Zamora, Guanare, Venezuela
Objective: to obtain an inventory of birds in the semi-deciduous forest of these regions in order to generate basic information to support the needs of future investigative research. The diversity and density of the respective species in each community was determined.

POPULATION STRUCTURE OF THE CAPYBARA IN RELATION TO HABITATS IN THE VENEZUELAN LLANOS- HATO PIÑERO, STATE OF COJEDES
Borges, P.A.
Universidad Simon Bolivar, Caracas, Venezuela
Objective: to ascertain how certain variations in the habitats affect the population structure of the capybara.

FERTILIZATION RATES OF THE HOATZIN UTILIZING A NEW FERMENTATION TECHNIQUE "MINIATURE" IN VITRO
Grajal, A.
University of Florida, U.S.A.
Objective: to analyze the effect of the "miniature" fermentation technique on the metabolism of the hoatzin, and its comparative success rates to other traditional fertilization techniques.

THE SOCIO-ECOLOGY OF THE CAPUCHIN MONKEYS (CEBUS OLIVACEUS)
Miller, Lynne
University of California, Davis, CA, U.S.A.
Objective: to determine the correlation between observed social parameters in the capuchin monkeys, food source variations, and analysis of the nutritional value of the natural food sources.

THE SOCIO-ECOLOGY OF THE CAPUCHIN MONKEYS (CEBUS OLIVACEUS) IN THE VENEZUELAN LLANOS
Miller, Lynne
University of California, Davis, CA, U.S.A.
Objective: to determine the social and dietary behavior of the capuchin monkeys given the available food sources in the habitats they inhabit.

ANALYSIS OF THE POSSIBLE PLANT TOXINS PRESENT IN THE DIETS OF THE HOATZIN (OPISTHOMUS HOATZIN)
Rodriguez, E., Michelangeli, F. and Dominguez, M.G.
University of California, Irvine, CA, U.S.A.
Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas, I.V.I.C., Caracas, Venezuela
Objective: to determine the possible presence of toxins in the natural diet of the Hoatzin.

THE FORAGE HABITS AND DIGESTIVE ADAPTATION OF THE GREEN IGUANA (IGUANA IGUANA) IN THE VENEZUELAN LLANOS
Rodriguez, S.
University of California, Irvine, CA, U.S.A.
Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas, I.V.I.C., Caracas, Venezuela
Objective: to determine the forage behavior and eating patterns of the Green iguana.

THE FLOWERS AND VEGETATION OF HATO PIÑERO
Aristiguieta, L. and Delascio, F.
Fundacion Branger, Biological Station- Hato Piñero, Venezuela
Objective: to develop an inventory of the flora of Hato Piñero and to collect representative samples to be included in the collection of the biological station.

COOPERATION AND AGGRESSION IN THE CAPUCHIN MONKEYS
Pope, T.
Duke University, Durham, NC, U.S.A
Objective: to understand the evolution and expression of cooperation of social systems according to the correlation that exists between the ecological, genetic and behavioral patterns of the Capuchin monkeys.

EVALUATION OF ECOTOURISM IN VENEZUELA
Stewart, S.
University of Texas, Asutin, TX, U.S.A.
Objective: Comparative study. A proposal focused on the evaluation of ecotourism as a strategy to preserve vulnerable habitats, identify opportunities for economic development, and to promote environmental preservation in Venezuela and in the U.S. Private reserves, National Parks, and other nature tourist places will be included in the study where the national government or state entities reflect the interest of preserving natural richness by protecting their spaces. (Study currently being conducted).

JAGUARS, PUMAS, AND CATTLE RANCHING: DEFINING THE VARIABLES FOR THEIR EXISTENCE
Sunquist, M. and Farrel, L.
University of Florida U.S.A.
Museum of Natural History, Miami, FL U.S.A.
Fundacion Branger- Hato Piñero, Venezuela
Objective: to utilize an experimental proposal to identify and define the critical factors involved in the discrimination of these species over cattle. Utilize Hato Piñero, a cattle ranch, as an example to other cattle ranching businesses in Venezuela, and other locations in South America, of how to better balance the needs of the industry with the preservation of these felines.

DIVERSITY OF AVAILABLE PREY FOR THE FELINES OF HATO PIÑERO
Esinberg, J. and Polisar, J.
University of Florida U.S.A.
Museum of Natural History, Miami, FL U.S.A.
Fundacion Branger- Hato Piñero, Venezuela
Objective: to study the density and distribution of wild prey available for the jaguar and puma in Hato Piñero, taking into consideration the changes in seasons and the characteristics of the forest where they live.

FEEDING METHODS FOR FEEDER CALFS BETWEEN THE AGES 4 AND 10 MONTHS
Seijiler, O.J.A.
National University of Tropical Agriculture, Deventer, Holland
Objective: to analyze the conventional feed concentrates for feeder calfs during the "feedlot" stage, in terms of digestible calories and proteins according to their age and weight.

Artistic Projects

• Bayer, Wolfgang (U.S.A)
  Film documentary.

• Madriz, Mercedes
  Drawings, postcards of birds in Hato Piñero.

• Cowcher, Hellen (England)
  Paintings, drawings and children books.

Courses

RELATIONS BETWEEN HERBIVOROUS, VERTEBRATES AND PLANTS
Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas, I.VI.C., Caracas, Venezuela
Coordinator: Fabian Michelangeli, IVIC
Financing: A project of Dr. Eloy Rodriguez, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY U.S.A
Area: Biology