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

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 plantation, and cattle ranching. The second set of props are the manatees, which the local people used to lure us to Tortuguero to view the destruction of their environment and way of life. This is that story.