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Manu Lodge has cooperated since 1990 with the University of Durham, U.K. Under Dr. Nigel Dunstone's direction several dozens of students have conducted research on: Ocelots, to learn more about the habits of this opportunistic hunter who looks for prey mainly at night, its distribution pattern, range, and diet. Bats. Researchers studying bats have identified 36 species living in the vicinity of Manu Lodge. Bats play an important role in the ecology of the rainforest; they are for example specialized pollinators to specific tree species. Bats range from tiny 4-gram insectivores, or heavier 80 gram, fruit-eaters (Artibeus lituratus) to the large 190-gram carnivorous species like (Chrotopterus auritus) and (Vampyrum spectrum) . Tourist impact on mammal communities. Another very interesting study conducted in two field seasons in Manu was aimed to monitor mammals, using a standardized trail walk method using the Manu Lodge trail system, the largest available to tourists in Manu. Some of the interesting findings show that the mammal population in the vicinity of Manu Lodge is abundant, particularly for primate species. It was also evident from the study that it was actually the trail sections closest to the lodge, the most productive in terms of mammal sightings. This suggests that the presence of tourists and researchers is not having a disturbing effect on the local mammal populations. This is supported by the fact that one of the most apprehensive rainforest lowland carnivores, the Giant Otters visits the lake regularly and have bred there on several occasions. Birds. Research on bird communities has identified over 500 species in the surroundings of Manu Lodge. Many of these bird species nest very close the lodge building allowing researchers and tourists alike with frequent sightings. These Manu Lodge close bird residents include: black-tailed Tityra, yellow rumped cacique, golden-bellied Euphonia, palm tanager, and Masked-crimson Tanager, Tui Parakeet, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, and Common Potoo. The immediate vicinity of the Juarez Lake provide with daily sightings of: Striated Heron, Wattled Jaçana, Yellow-billed Tern, Hoatzin, White-winged Swallow, Black-capped Donacobius, and Red-capped Cardinal. Great Egret, Green Ibis, Osprey, and Black-collared Hawk are also frequent visitors. Cock-of-the Rock. Manu Cloud Forest Lodge served as the scientific base for the first study of the Cock-of-the Rock, as well as an orchid inventory by undergraduate biologists from Cusco. Spider Monkeys. The University of Durham continued with their work at Manu Lodge, with a study on Spider Monkeys, the spectacular 24-pound acrobatic monkey that thrills our clients using his long, lanky arms and prehensile tail to swing over 30 meters across the rainforest canopy. Giant Otters. A long-term research on Giant Otters under the auspices of the Frankfurt Zoological Museum, received support and cooperation from Manu Lodge. The lake called Juarez located a few meters from the lodge is the best place in the tropics to see Giant Otters. Manu Lodge enforces strict behavior rules when observing the otters and when using canoes on the lake. Our 10-year, respectful relationship with this group of gregarious mammals allow Manu Lodge visitors to see tame otters fishing, eating their prey, preening and playing within 15meters. without disturbing the individuals. Over the years the resident group of Giant Otters has bred successfully at the Juarez Lake on several occasions, despite our presence. This fact is just one of the stories behind Manu Lodge's reputation as a model for rainforest ecotourism. Manu Lodge was also used as a base for the German Giant Otter researchers to deliver a field course for the Manu Park parkguards, in order to provide them with Giant Otter conservation guidelines. Ants. The symbiotic relationship of ants and Cecropia trees. By Dr. Dinah Davidson, Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 20 September, 1999
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