by Rod Hughes

Dr. Franklin Chang, Costa Rica’s ex-astronaut and favorite native son, this week kicked off a unique campaign using temporary tatoos to save endangered species in the southern Pacific Osa Peninsula region, reported the national press today.
The stick-on tatoos cost 500 colones, less than a dollar, with the proceeds to go to strengthen coastal and ranger vigilance in the national park that covers most of the mountainous peninsula. Last year, the English-language weekly Tico Times reported widespread poaching of wild boar and jaguars in the park and rangers scarce due a severe budget pinch. Private enterprise has been working to make up the lack.
The tatoos depict whales and dolphins (found off the peninsula’s coast) as well as the jaguar, wild parrot and the frog.