Violence in Uganda

Recent news stories and images from Kampala show storefronts and streets damaged, people shot and killed, and police and soldiers running through the streets. I send my hopes and prayers that this madness will end, and that officials, soldiers and citizens alike will work this out peacefully and without further violence.

Image: BBC news

Golden Cat Paper Now Online!

New photographic evidence of the African golden cat (Profelis aurata Temminck) at Mainaro, Kibale National Park, Uganda.

Song of the Day: "Rise Up" - U2

2009 highlight

I gave a lecture to local schoolkids whose school is directly beside Kibale. The headmaster is beside me.

It was one of the most amazing things I've ever done - I talked about how I conduct my work, and UWA/FACE Director Wilfred Chemutai talked about how to manage shambas to avoid crop-raiding. The kids were amazing, and I look forward to doing it again!

Song of the Day: "Signal to Noise" - Peter Gabriel

Simone Teelen

Thank you for everything.

Hello!

Back again, sorry for the long silence. Lots of stuff going on, so i'll just throw a few posts up. Very happy to be home, but miss the forest.

Song of the Day: "Thank You" - Led Zeppelin

Days from the end...

Almost home. Lots to catch up on, but it has been a great trip.


Song of the Day: "Goin' Home (Live from Woodstock)", Ten Years After

An appropriate pairing: fresh elephant dung from the road bisecting the forest, and a self portrait following a 5km hike through the forest and along the eastern border.

Song of the day: I'm So Tired - The Beatles

Angie and Charlotte returning from Chimp Dung Hunt. Also, whilom many tropical trees relay on animals for seed dispersal, here is a wind-dispersed seed that landed by my feet during a census.

Song of the Day: Funeral - Band of Horses

Images from the forest. Fresh Buffalo track.

Song of the day: Guaranteed - Eddie Vedder

I suppose I should tell you why we're here. We're collecting data on primate and other mammal density in this mosaic forest, with mature and replanted compartments. Two students are here - one is collecting dung from elephants and chimpanzees to examine genetic variation between populations inside and outside Kibale Park, and the other is collecting behavioral data and urine from gray-cheeked mangabeys, to examine stress differences between this site and the less disturbed site of Ngogo. I am conducting primate censuses on three 4.5km transects, counting the mammals I encounter. We have also placed a new chimpanzee nest transect near the border of the park, to monitor chimpanzee movements and potential crop raiding correlations. A lot going on, but we are having fun.

Song of the day: Secret World (Live), Peter Gabriel

Yeah, of course I have time to post blogs...

So, a blog looked better in theory than in practice. I am spending every minute I can in the field, so I am afraid that I will not be able to send lots of messages. But, I will post lots of pics, and provide running commentary when I get back.

Enjoy the pics:

Gary

Today's song: Running to Stand Still, U2, Joshua Tree

Grrr... Equipment Failures just before leaving? Really?

Gah.

First, interal lens fog within my Nikon Monarch (test in bathroom during shower). 24 hours in Ziploc w/Dririte shows no improvement, so I run out to buy inexpensive equivalent.

Then, power cord to my 03 Mac Powerbook shows evidence of fraying. Duct taped and livin on a prayer.

Fun day with kids, giant inflatable pool set up in yard, so they should live in there now.

Song for today: W. Zevon, "My S**t's F***ed Up."

Heading out

Nothing like those final days of packing and organizing. As always, too many bags, too much equipment, and too may things left to finish here at home before leaving.

Today's song in my head: "Street Hassle" by Lou Reed.