Arcos Cielos Research Center

The outstanding documentary film, “Belonging” is the seventh film produced by award- winning documentary film producer, Gerard Ungerman. Dr. Maynard provided scientific information to Gerard during the making of this documentary, and Arcos Cielos provided financial support. The film is narrated by actor Dustin Hoffman, and the soundtrack music was written by Fritz Heeds. Here is the link for viewing the excerpts from this delightful movie: CLICK

The Sundaland Clouded Leopard is a new recently described species discovered in the Dermakot Forest Reserve in Malaysia. The Clouded Leopard is one of the most elusive of all cat species, and is rarely encountered. Almost no studies in their ecology have been conducted. For the first eleven months of an intial study the research group never encountered a single leopard. Then, they suddenly came upon a Sunderland Leopard walking along a road, and were able to record it on a video. To read this fascinating article and see this amazing video, CLICK.

Deep beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, off the southeastern US, lies there exist a “virtual rainforest” of deep-sea coral reefs which is so expansive it is believed to be one of the world’s largest. The 23,000 sq mile area which stretches from North Carolina to Florida is only a portion of the extensive reef area presently being considered for protection from potential damage by commercial deep water commercial fishing and energy exploration. Environmentalists claim that crab pots and bottom trawling for shrimp are the most immediate threats to this precious resource.

These deep-sea reefs contain countless species unknown to science, and because they are so remote, are regarded as indicators of the ocean’s overall health. These deep-water reefs and pinnacles grow very slowly, and thus represent precious ecological treasure troves. Scientists are only just beginning to understand the true nature of these underwater “frontier zones. To read the full story CLICK.

A new species of giant carnivorous pitcher plant has been discovered by botanists in the central Phillippine highlands. This new species is among the largest of all pitcher plants, and is big enough to catch large insects, and even rats in its leafy trap.

During their exploratory expedition, the two botanists also discovered strange pink ferns and blue mushrooms, as yet undescribed by science. The botanists have named the new giant pitcher plant after popular British natural history author and broadcaster David Attenborough. To read the full details of this story and view photos of this new species, CLICK.