Last Thursday I visited the Pablo group, the largest of the research groups studied by Karisoke.
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January 31, 2009
January 27, 2009
Football Fever in Rwanda
During my school visit to Pittsburgh, PA in the fall of 2008, I was presented with a Steeler terrible towel from Seville Elementary School as a parting gift. Last November I decided to bring the towel along with me on my trip to Africa. It will be waved with pride in Rwanda Africa as the Steelers play in the Super Bowl! Thank you Seville Elementary!
GO STEELERS!
Cheers,
Dean
January 25, 2009
A Chance to Study Mountain Gorillas
Getting a close-up view of mountain gorillas
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) has so many different projects going on that I am not sure where to start.
When people hear the name of course they are most familiar with the story made famous by the photo of her on the cover of National Geographic magazine in Jan. of 1970 and the movie Gorillas in the Mist.
But what many people are not aware of are the other projects managed and initiated by the organization, such as the Eco Health project, Educational program, a Biodiversity program and all of the incredible things they are doing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The heart of the matter is DFGFI is doing impressive and honorable activities for both gorillas and the people who live next to the wild animals.
For several weeks I have been following researchers as they enter the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda to study and monitor the research groups of mountain gorillas. Often it is an arduous journey to reach the gorillas. Driving over bumpy volcanic rock used to make a road, then a 45-minute walk up to the park boundary, which is marked by a high wall designed to help keep wild animals from leaving the park and eating the farmer’s crops. Once you reach the park boundary, it can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours before reaching the group you are looking to study.
Once you arrive, the researchers will spend four hours recording data, which includes things like which gorillas are there, what they are doing, how they interact with each other, the general health of the group. All of this information has meaning to the gorillas and to the researchers who have spent years observing their behaviors.
During one visit a silverback made a particular sound. Gorilla program manager Veronica Vecellio then turned to me and said, “Soon you will see a display.” Just as soon as she finished saying these words, the huge silverback stood upright on his two legs and started beating his chest. I stood there in awe at the impressive sight and sound with a sense of appreciation for the depth of Veronica’s knowledge. The display is a form of communication to other gorillas.
This is but one small scene of the very busy Karisoke Research Center. With camera in hand, I capture these moments. At the end of the day I have a treasure of photos to sort through and edit that will help share the amazing story of what they are doing here.
