Hollywood Props: One Man's Experience With Conservation and Destruction in Remotest Central America

by David Smethurst

Hollywood Props is the story of a four-year research expedition to study manatees in Tortuguero, Costa Rica, an isolated village accessible only by small boat and light aircraft. To the steady patter of rain on galvanized roofing, the Reggae beat of Bob Marley, and the clink of ice cold Imperials, David Smethurst provides a witty and insightful look at how conservation projects are conducted and why they so often fail.

The stage for this story is Tortuguero National Park. On this stage are two sets of props. The first are the towering tropical trees that fringe the waterways and give tourists the illusion of a tropical paradise while hiding from view a landscape ravaged by logging, banana plantations and cattle ranching. The second set of props are the manatees, which the local people used to lure a research team to Tortuguero to view the destruction of their environment and way of life.

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 20, 2015

Reviews

[Zeljka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. The author's work in Tortuguero was fascinating and I appreciate his willingness to share his story. I just wonder if there was real warmth in relationships he had with the locals because his approach to describing them was rather down-to-earth and scientifical, even for his colleagues. There were some amusing stories, though, and I was really intrigued by the whole manatee protection project. Overall, I am glad I read the book. Now I surely know much more about Tortuguero and its wildlife than I knew beforehand.