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

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Awww, what a cute little... SNAKE?!!?!!

At GVI Amazon, one of the first things we were told about was the Fer-de-Lance, apparently the most deadly snake in Ecuador. The Fer-de-Lance can reach 6 feet and is known by the name South American Lancehead (Bothrops atrox). It has a lance shaped head and a venom that causes your tissue to die. While variable, the usual colour is some shade of brown, often with an olive tinge.

Which is why, when I came across one on my first stream walk, I didn’t know what it was. Despite all the risk assessments, the presentations and my own general knowledge, I mistook a snake’s head for a frog. After coming ridiculously close to its head, I realised it was a snake, and called over our Base Manager, Andy, who promptly told me that it was a Fer-de-Lance, and a big one at that. It was simultaneously the most terrifying and amazing moment of my life.

Naomi Thrower, GVI Amazon Volunteer, May - June 2011


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1 comments:

Michael G. Starkey said...

Cool post! Bothrops are amazing... and I think they can be cute too! Have you seen a neonate? Absolutely adorable!

I greatly enjoy this blog, please keep sharing your stories from the Field!

Cheers,
Michael Starkey