Into the Wild

The Spanish or indigenous American terms for these creatures are nothing short of fascinating. Here's a glimpse at the amazing lexicon that’s been created for Costa Rica’s wide array of creatures.

One of the most spectacular wildlife displays on the planet is happening in the skies over Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast right now: fall raptor migration and the formation of a "river of raptors." And thanks to a geographic bottleneck, one of the best places in the world to witness it is the Kèköldi indigenous territory on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast.

One of the most spectacular wildlife displays on the planet is happening in the skies over Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast right now: fall raptor migration and the formation of a "river of raptors." And thanks to a geographic bottleneck, one of the best places in the world to witness it is the Kèköldi indigenous territory on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast.

When looking for wildlife in Costa Rica it’s easy to become fixated on the unusual mammals and vibrant birds, but one of the country’s most complex creatures lies underfoot.

Long before hordes of tourists and biologists began flocking to Costa Rica for its amazing biodiversity, the country’s native people became the area’s first wildlife experts. Through close observation during frequent close-encounters with animals, Costa Rica’s indigenous people built up extensive mythologies surrounding the country’s wildlife. These beliefs are best preserved among Costa Rica’s Bribrí and Boruca people, who had animals featured prominently in their religion, healing ceremonies and even their dreams.

We decided to use this month’s Into the Wild to take a look back at the three most insane wildlife stories of 2014.