The End of an Era

After over 6 years of intensive research and community development work in and around the Yachana Reserve, GVI Amazon is coming to a close. We have finished our final research project (look forward to our Road Effects paper, coming soon!) and are handing over the project to our partner, The Yachana Foundation. They will continue to maintain and monitor the reserve, using it as an hands-on science education center for students -- we're very excited to see what fabulous things this next generation of scientists find! For more detail on GVI Amazon's closure, and our accomplishments over the years, please read on...
GVI Amazon Closure Statement

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Monkeying Around part II


Hector's Island allowed a fantastic insight into traditional Indigenous culture, as well as a great nature spot! All EMs had a go at learning the art of crafting their very own blow dart - whittling it away with a penknife, took some time, but not for Hector's experienced hand. An orange was then placed on a post (instead of the traditional apple on someone's head!) and EMs took turns in firing a dart down the lengthy blow pipe, with a surprising amount of success. Although some were more on target than others! Hector also divulged his vast knowledge of local flora and taught EMs a little about the many plants and their medicinal uses.

The last afternoon was rounded off with a good old fashioned game of footy, with a difference - the pitch was on a sandy outcrop on the banks of the Napo, with the Sumaco volcano as the backdrop. Diving around in the sand after a ball, was made that much more appealing knowing that if the ball went off the pitch and a throw in was needed you could have a quick refreshing dip in the Napo to cool off a bit before getting back into the game!

Suitably tired out by all the weekend's activities before crawling back into the jungle hammocks, Hector cooked up an amazing chicken soup with yuca whilst EMs relaxed by candlel ight with toasted marshmellows and a well worn pack of cards. Then one last call from the rainforest - the Black-banded Owl (Ciccaba huhula). Hearing it so close to camp was too much of a temptation for some not to go on the prowl and they were rewarded with an amazing view of this magnificent fella as he cleaned himself before the night's activities.

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