Costa Rica Swamp House

The Costa Rica Swamp House is intended to provide an internal, climate controlled habitat that represents a mangrove swamp in Tortuguero National Park, in Costa Rica. The purpose of the exhibit is to demonstrate the impact of settlement and tourism on the ecosystem, and to highlight the theme of boundaries; breaking, removing and crossing them.

The building will be a mixed biotope exhibiting a mangrove swamp and an estuary. The first section, the mangrove swamp, will exhibit manatees, fish, free-flight birds and invertebrates. The second part will include displays of American crocodiles, snakes and frogs.

Upon entering the exhibit visitors will congregate at a viewpoint over the mangrove canals, from where they will be able to observe manatees basking in the shallows and see other “tourists” gather around motor boats learning some of the important lessons about the threats caused by tourism. Crossing a sturdy rope bridge, visitors will come face to face with eyelash vipers and tree frogs living in a banana plantation and catch a glimpse of crocodiles sleeping on the river bank. Travelling down a mangrove lined trail, the braver visitors will be able to cross the (seemingly) crocodile infested waters on a narrow rope bridge, spotting leaf-cutter ants trudging back and forth with vegetation to their nests.

A play area gives younger visitors an opportunity for some water play and relaxation, before entering the ranger station. Here visitors will have the chance to find out what is happening in our project in Costa Rica, talking to the project rangers, watching video’s of their activities and possibly speaking to some local people. On leaving the ranger station, visitors find themselves descending below the water line, emerging to spectacular underwater views of fish and manatees.

As they leave the deeper waters behind, visitors pass the base of the ranger station, only to notice that the wooden struts are being eaten by termites. How long will the termites take to eat through the struts altogether and make the building collapse? Hopefully it won’t fall down just yet!

This exhibit will not be open when the Park first opens, but will be developed as part of the future development.