Robinson (Robin) Botero-Arias, PhD candidate in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation went to the Brazilian Amazon and led a training course for black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) management for government technicians over UF’s Thanksgiving break.  Robin is a crocodilian specialist and has been working with Amazonian caimans for nearly 20 years and serves as an advisor for the IUCN-SSC Crocodile Special Group.  His work is focused on the ecology and reproductive biology of caimans where he works to understand aspects of nesting biology, nest site selection, habitat selection, and population demography and management.  He has worked at the Mamiraua Institute for Sustainable Development in the Brazilian Amazon, which is also the site of his doctoral dissertation research.  Here his work is targeted to strengthening the system for management and sustainable use of natural resources, such as the black caiman.  Throughout this work he has engaged with local communities recognizing that success of conservation and management programs requires incorporation of local social and cultural values, and opportunities for economic development.