In one of the most bustling urbanized areas of Costa Rica, in the province of Heredia, recent biodiversity monitoring added 60 new animal species records to the local registry. The study was conducted in 2025 in the green zones around the Heineken Costa Rica production sites and as part of the Eco-Conexión Urbana project, which encompasses the Cubujuquí intercity biological corridor.
According to the survey, the survey documented 83 bird species, 12 bat species, nine species of terrestrial mammals, 12 reptile species and six amphibian species, as well as insects from 45 families. The total number of recorded fauna species reached 167. Importantly: these 60 records are new mentions for the local inventory, not species previously unknown to science.
The results highlight how much wildlife remains unnoticed among factories, roads and residential neighborhoods. Areas located near rivers, streams and other water bodies supported noticeably greater animal diversity than other green zones. This points to the key role of water bodies even in landscapes heavily altered by humans.
The Eco-Conexión Urbana project, launched in 2024, brought together biologists from the National University of Costa Rica, company employees and local conservation partners. Volunteers also took part in the monitoring — 117 people in total, including amateur birdwatchers. Such initiatives help not only to collect data but also to involve people in caring for nature right outside their windows.
The study shows that even in urbanized spaces it is possible to maintain ecological connectivity. Green corridors and the preservation of water zones become a kind of "bridge" for animals, allowing them to move between fragments of the natural environment.
Such projects serve as a reminder: attention to the small details of the landscape — from preserving stream banks to creating green belts — directly affects how rich and resilient the fauna remains near human settlements.
