So my time in Africa is starting to come towards an end, with just 2 weeks left the days are so likely to blur into one.
This past week yet again has gone quickly now that Monday is back around, although at times the long days have felt hard due to my injured back and migraines plaguing my days!
The Samango troop yet again managed to roam as far as possible, which meant I had to leave at 4am to find them for 5am, returning to base by 19.30 in the evening. It appears, however, that Steve has had a fight (see picture above) which is his first one since I arrived!
Representatives from Earthwatch, one of Lajuma's research partners, have been here this week and so we have had to teach them new skills. On Saturday I took a group of 3 to complete vegetation plots, where we assess the area and take pictures and measurements of the trees and vegetation to allow us to build up a picture of what the monkeys' home range is like. I then had to do phenology in the afternoon where we calculate the number of leaves on particular trees as we are trying to see how they change each month.
On Saturday evening we had a cocktail party which was great fun. I taught people how to make certain cocktails and we had lots of music, dancing and games.
Overall a busy week was had by all and I am certainly looking forward to coming home, especially as the rain is now due to start this week with thunder and lightning anticipated most days (it's a good job I like a good thunder storm)!!!
Love
3 comments:
We are all so looking forward to seeing you too. Enjoy every second of what you are doing. .your rain beats very cold wet windy weather bomb we have at the moment
lots of love Dad and Ethan
Hi :) I found your blog while researching about Lajuma as I'm hoping to be a Primate Research Assistant next summer. I hope you don't mind me commenting with a few questions!
It looks amazing from your posts/photos, is it something you would recommend doing as work experience while at uni? I saw on a few posts on another blog about while out in the forest volunteers had encounters with wild leopards (?!), did this ever happen to you and is it safe going out there alone if that could happen?
Also your photos are really really good, do you mind me asking what camera you use? :)
Thanks - hope you don't mind my questions :)
Hi Danielle,
I dont mind at all, I am happy to share all I know.
Lajuma is an amazing experience, British Summertime is definitely the best time to go, especially if you wish to be a primate assistant as your days are a lot shorter than when I was there (by about 2 hours!) which means that you aren't as tired. It gives you a real experience of research which I think is a great thing to have gained before leaving Uni.
Yes some people do encounter leopards but 'encounter' isnt really the right word, most people get growled at as they are coming to close and if you are making lots of noise almost all leopards will move away quickly.
It is a little scary being out on your own, you do have a radio to contact people with which does certainly help! You undergo all your training with someone as well so you learn the area. By the end of my first month I didn't even think about it.
My camera is the canon, sx50, they are about £280 now, which is less than what I got it for.
If you have any other questions feel free to email me on erinkaywilliams1993@gmail.com and I would be happy to answer.
Sorry for the slow reply!
Erin
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