The Support Team

Dr. Mauricio Jimenez
Director of Medicine at Veterinary School of the National Univeristy of Costa Rica and Advisor to Amigos de las Aves.

Mauricio offers unique support for Amigos and has always had the interests of our program at heart. He is always available in an emergency and provides skilled advice and assistance. Mauricio has a love of the arts, and enjoys classical music, he is also an accomplished artist.

Dr. Raymond Kray
Veterinary Consultant

Dr. Kray is a successful veterinarian from California, US, where he ran his own clinic using some of his own pioneering techniques, now used worldwide today. Dr. Kray has always been associated with Amigos de las Aves and assists on a consultancy basis. He has now retired to Costa Rica and has his own private collection of pheasants and guans, and has his own consultancy business.

Jorge Hernandez

An important part of MINAE, Jorge is in charge of the co-ordination of a large wildlife area. Jorge gained a BSc in Biology at the University of Costa Rica and a Licensiatura in Biology degree at the National University in Heredia. He also studied in Spain and gained a Masters in Cites at the University of Andalusia in Spain. Jorge has a passion for conservation and an even larger passion for football …. Costa Rica of course.

Sandra Arietta and Minor Gonzales

Employed at MINAE, Sandra and Minor provide much needed help, support, guidance and working feasibility with Amigos de las Aves.

Dr. Matthew Bond
Veterinary Surgeon and Advisor to Amigos de las Aves

Matthew originates from the UK, but currently has a successful practice in Miami. He has recently been adding additional skills to his cv of Holistic Medicine and Acupuncture in animals. Matthew has worked and specialised in birds for many years, working at ABRC. He has been a staunch supporter of Amigos for many years and his knowledge is invaluable. He loves the countryside and breeds dogs.

Dr. Adrienne Allison

Adrienne has been in integral part of Amigos de las Aves for many years. She qualified at North Carolina State University and now teaches veterinary students. She works as an emergency veterinary surgeon and also as a relief veterinary surgeon in South Carolina. Adrienne specialises in avian and equine medicine. Her hobbies are horse back riding, hiking and scuba diving, and of course birds in Costa Rica!

Linda Van Alen
Botanist from Holland

Linda has a Master of Science degree in Horticulture from Wageningen Agricultural University. She specializes in research of fusing together of rose grafts and has also studied Plant science and farm management. Linda joined our team as a volunteer and proved invaluable, and she now assists Amigos as a consultant. She currently works in promotion throughout Costa Rica.

Brian Smith
Conservation Biologist

Brian studied Ecology and Evolution at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He worked in the field with Amigos de las Aves during 2003/4. Brian works with us in an advisory capacity and has many extensive years experience with birds. Currently Brian is completing his Masters degree on "Phylogeography of the Northern Cardinal" and is carrying out a genetic study on the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) throughout their entire range.

The Exotic Bird Hospital Inc. Jacksonville, Florida

Rhoda Stevenson, DVM and her devoted staff, offer much needed specialist avian advice and assistance at any hour! She has offered her expertise and dedication to Amigos at a moments notice and despite her very packed daily schedule has always found time to help.

Alonso Hernandez
Computer expert

Rescuer of all "operator finger troubles".

Leonie and Zeidy
Perminant tempory staff

Leonie is a german resident living in Costa Rica and is passionate about animals and most especially dogs, and Zeidy is an accountant and local lass through and through. Both girls come and work so very hard every weekend and are invaluable to us.

Oscar Murillo
Lawyer and Advisor to the Board

Sorting out the legal stuff.

Jorge Araya
Accountant for Amigos de las Aves.

Putting all the figures together.

John Brice, Alejandra Beirute and Alberto Boschini
Our website people!

Putting it all together.

The Workers!...

we couldn't do this without them!

Amigos de las Aves and the official Release Programs of Amigos de las Aves in Costa Rica, www.amigosdelasavescostarica.org and www.hatchedtoflyfree.org are not affiliated or associated with any other company, organisation or association, by name or in any other country.