Messages from Manu. |
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Please note - this is no gap yah: lost in parahh Gen Z blog. This is rather a platform to document the next 12 weeks of my off-grid existence, 200km east of Cusco at the neo-tropical buffer of Manu National Park. One of the last places in the world with totally isolated and uncontacted tribes, known as the Mashco-Piro people, unaware of modern life and the extent of human civilisation. A landscape frozen in time. South America is a treasure chest of evolutionary stories, with the early Cenozoic era boasting species cool enough to rival even the coolest of dinosaurs. My favourite being the Phorusrhacids, colloquially known as "terror birds" which, prior to the Great American Interchange, dominated the jungle scene. A 100% carnivore, 10ft tall ostrich (of sorts) capable of running 60km/hr is definitely the stuff of nightmares. I feel oddly prepared for the vigour and demands of the rainforest; to be honest I think months behind the tills of John Lewis could prepare you for any demand going. Seriously though, the tropical rainforest is truly a risky place. Rafting the croc-infested waters of the Zambezi last summer now seems like an afternoon punting on the Cam in comparison to the upcoming challenges of Amazonia. "Ants are found everywhere. Be warned that many are arboreal (including the nasty bullet ant) and may literally drop from the trees and attack." I think it's fair to say that most neotropical resources don't sugarcoat, after all blissful ignorance is perhaps your greatest enemy in the jungle. Despite having the most painful sting known to man, the bullet ant is the least of your worries when venturing into the unknown. Highly hemotoxic and cytotoxic snakes, disease-carrying mosquitos and prowling jaguars lurk behind every corner. Exciting. The importance of neotropical research in this corner of the world cannot be understated. With a 50% decline in global biodiversity over the last 40 years I cannot stress more the need for direct, frontline conservation. I needn't go into this any further at present, but I hope that over the next 3 months you will follow my blog, with interest, to learn more about the wonders of this unique biome - its issues, and the solutions needed to secure a better future for our planet.
If you would like to follow my blog please enter your email above and click 'notify me' - the idea being that when I make a new entry you will get a notification via email. At most I will be posting once per week (due to very limited, pretty much non-existent, internet access) so there's no need to worry about being inundated with emails. Thanks for reading!
10 Comments
5/4/2018 08:56:07 am
Hey man, just wanted to say how awesome this looks and that it'll be great to see how you get on, especially with the need for frontline conservation as you mentioned. Have a good one!
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Billy Stockwell
5/4/2018 12:05:49 pm
Thanks Joe! It's so reassuring to know that other friends are interested in this type of thing as well. Have a good summer!
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Boddington Keyworth
5/4/2018 03:18:06 pm
Get off the ground in a hammock during the night if you want to avoid critters. The jungle floor comes alive at night. First rule of jungle warfare is that fighting only occurs during the day - the night is all about survival!
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Billy Stockwell
5/5/2018 05:26:34 am
Thanks for the tips!
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Colin and Ellen
5/5/2018 12:48:09 am
Have fun Billy. Look out for the infamous Oomegoolie insect. It has a tendency to crawl up your trouser leg and give a nip to warm moist places, usually the testies. The bite bite is painful and can cause swelling - hence the name! Keep your trousers tucked into your socks! Have fun.
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Billy Stockwell
5/5/2018 05:32:45 am
And here's me thinking your jokes couldn't possibly get any worse...
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Tim Baldwin
5/5/2018 10:07:54 am
This looks like an amazing opportunity and experience for you. I am an old hand birder/ naturalist but always enjoy seeing the younger generation becoming passionate supporters of the cause - you are needed more than ever! I am sure you have done your research and are as well prepared as you can be but will also know to expect the unexpected. Let's hope we don't have to watch a TV documentary in 20 years time in which you go back to see if the indigenous people have survived the effects of the outside world upon them and their environment. Good luck!
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Billy Stockwell
5/8/2018 05:50:50 am
Thanks for the support Tim. I find it tricky to stay positive about the future sometimes. But the power of social media is incredible, and more and more young people are getting involved, even those not necessarily interested in wildlife. There's still hope yet. Thanks again, and I hope you enjoy the blog!
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5/15/2018 04:06:27 am
Hi Billy. This is brilliant stuff, we will all reading this in the Biology department at LGS (and beyond) with great interest....discover us a new beetle will you and name it after the school (or Beast club) will you! All the best and enjoy yourself
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Sarah Jarman
6/9/2018 03:14:22 am
Billy, I am in complete and utter awe, so much admiration for what you are doing. What a truly life changing experience, enjoy every minute. look forward to the next chapter. But please take care xx
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