By JORGE FLORES MCCLELLAN

Special to Honduras This Week

Which mammal species is the first to have become extinct in Honduras? Which species has the most variety and is supposed to be more numerous than humans? Which bat species eats crop-decimating rodents and which eats fish?

In the slow cataclysm called sustainable development that Honduras and the world is going through, one key negative factor is the lack of information about nature in general. Fortunately, out there in the forests, jungles and marine reserves, educated, dedicated people are observing with keen, trained eyes. They are recording not only sightings but habitats, habits and diets so the rest of us can understand the delicate balance and the unimaginable variety of nature. Hopefully, it will also help us to discard our misconceptions and learn to really appreciate animals and plants. Only then, may we, by conviction, protect them once and for all from ourselves.

But such studious people, the ones born to be in the wild, are as rare here as the flying squirrel. That is why complete, accurate information is so valuable.

To this end, two Honduran scientists -- Leonel Marineros and Francisco Martinez Gallegos -- have spent countless months and years out in the wild with mosquitoes, ticks and snakes, quietly observing and studying our country's mammals with the utmost care and patience so we, the "developers" can learn something.

As one reads in the notes of the Guía de Campo de los Mamíferos de Honduras (Field Guide to Honduran Mammals), one discovers that our nature is beyond imagination. Wildlife is fantastic, more so than any science fiction writer's dreams. This book is pure science, the science that entertains and enlightens.

The book is in Spanish, but this is no hindrance to the dedicated scholar or wildlife lover. First, there is the scientific name, then the common name in English and finally the most common names given to the animals in Spanish, Garifuna, Misquito, Pech and Tawahka. This makes it a most practical tool to find out exactly what animal you see, even in remote areas.

The format of the book is fluid, immensely rich in secrets of the mammalian world, but most importantly, clear and easy to understand. After the names, there are accurate descriptions of physical traits, colorings, size and weight, diet, habitat, and information on reproduction and distribution. There is an excellent section of illustrations to scale, footprints and anatomy of the most rare specimens.

But the most fascinating reading is in the field notes: "In a rare sighting, a mature female jaguar crossed the road near La Ceiba. This huge predator sought refuge under the beds of a house. It was caught in a makeshift wooden cage but eventually gnawed her way out and back to Pico Bonito National Park." "The Tapir is the largest land mammal in Honduras. It can weigh up to 600 pounds." "The tayra may be the source of the mythological 'cadejo,' a legendary (demonic) dog that turns into a man and abducts women." "The white-tail Deer is the national mammal of Honduras, thanks to the Ministry of Environment."

There are dozens of interesting remarks on record but the book also conveys the other, sad, reality: "Between 1979 and 1981, 639 river otter pelts were exported to Europe." "The ocelot, mountain lion and jaguar are on the verge of extinction." "Pollution, degradation of the environment and unchecked destruction of forests have brought many species on to the endangered list." "There are about 140 manatees left because people say their meat has seven flavors." "The lesser anteater is killed on sight because it looks 'strange.'"

As a scientific book, it cannot and will not avoid the ugliness of the dangers each specific species encounters. Of the 13 ecosystems classified in Honduras, including very wet tropical forest, coral reef and mangrove estuaries, the book says that "officially" there are approximately 110 protected areas. This is due to the "little credibility politicians and government officials have given to the proposed National Wildlife Refuges System." This is also the cause for the "incredible lack of literature."

This book is a completely updated edition of a 1988 version written by Leonel Marineros and Francisco Martinez Gallegos, who died prematurely of a heart attack. It provides many answers to most questions biologists and common outdoors people have asked since Columbus first sighted manatees and called them mermaids: What else is out there? What do they eat? What do they do?

The guide is well documented and beautifully presented and will open eyes to fact as opposed to fiction, differentiate truth from speculation. It does not have the exact numbers of how many are left of each species because here, in Honduras, with the interest the government has shown, that would take decades to compile and there are only years or months left to count the last free mammals. In the noble environmentalist cause, they use "technical language, but comprehensible at all levels" in a way that entertains while educating. It is a masterpiece in its genre. Hopefully the next edition can tell us, Homo Sapiens, that there are more of other mammals with us in this our country, our planet.

Camino Real hotel offers first-class rooms, food and service

By HOWARD ROSENZWEIG

SAN PEDRO SULA -- Imagine yourself transported for a moment to a place of luxury, of brass buttoned doormen who escort you to the reception desk and then your suite and who know your name; to a place of good taste and fine design, understated yet elegant; to a place of crisp white sheets and fluffy white towels; of fine dining and excellent service. Take the sum of all the above and you get a pretty good picture of the San Pedro Sula Camino Real Inter Continental Hotel.

The newly opened Camino Real is San Pedro Sula's first and only five-star hostelry. With more than 220 hotels and resorts worldwide, Inter Continental is one of the world's most luxurious and global hotel chains.

The San Pedro Sula Camino Real offers its guests 150 exquisitely appointed rooms with all the amenities: restaurant, bar, room service valet, in room mini-bar, in room safe deposit box, giftshop, travel agency, business center, executive club, outdoor pool, spa, gym, sauna and meeting and function rooms.

The Business Center located right off the main lobby is a hub of activity for guests who primarily tend to be on business trips. The center offers secretarial services, document translations, a/v equipment, computers, e-mail, Internet, cellular phones, fax, concierge services, courier services and private meeting rooms.

There is a lovely outdoor pool, framed by the Scenario Bar (perfect for an evening drink before or after dinner) and the Azulejos Restaurant (good food at reasonable prices). In addition, there is 24-hour room service, cable, interactive TV and a courtesy hotel-airport shuttle.

Azulejos Restaurant is one of the best deals in town and open to the public. A hearty breakfast buffet with all the trimmings is a great deal at Lps 110. The a la carte breakfast menu includes such choices as Danish (Lps. 15), waffles (Lps. 20), pancakes (Lps. 20), fresh squeezed orange juice (Lps. 15) and coffee (Lps. 15). Complete breakfasts run between Lps. 70 and Lps. 70.

For lunch, dinner or a late night, after hours snack, Azulejos has what is truly the best burger this writer has ever had in Honduras. It is a huge, beautifully grilled affair, topped off with melted cheese and crunchy bacon strips and served up with a side order of french fries, all for Lps. 40, which is by the way a better deal than the McDonald's joint down the street.

For those out to impress that date, wine and dine an important client or celebrate that second honeymoon, the menu tops out with lobster at Lps. 650. A steaming plate of fresh pasta will set you back Lps. 60. Tax and service are not included in the above prices.

For a real treat, spend a night, flip on the cable and order up room service. There is nothing like laying in a humongous king-sized bed, watching a Seinfeld rerun in your boxers (with that special significant other next to you) as a white jacketed valet

gently taps on your door, wheeling in a cart filled with yummy goodies to munch on...just plain decadent.

Five nights per week, from 6 p.m. - midnight, there is a theme dinner buffet at Azulejos: Wednesday is Spanish night, Thursday is Mexican, Friday is seafood, Saturday is grill night, and Sunday is brunch. For Lps. 200 you can eat till your heart's content.

Room rates are $190 single/double occupancy for a deluxe room. There is a good deal on weekends when the same room goes for $90. For information or reservations, call: 553-0000, Fax 550-6255, e-mail sanpedrosula@interconti.com