Amazon Basin Research and Conservation Project Feedback Stories
Ex-Volunteer Feedback Extracts
Molly Ackhurst joined the programme for June and July 2011, and gives her feedback
It was one of the best things I have ever done with myself. You guys over there are so incredibly welcoming, from the moment i got to the house I felt at home and that is such a huge thing! Having been travelling for so long before hand I was fairly used to crazy hectic stuff but everything was so relaxed and chilled despite how much stuff we actually had to do.
I've always loved the idea of going to the amazon and going in there with a team like yours has just made me even more desperate to do it again. The knowledge oyou all have is so impressive and also the willingness and ease with which you teach it to a whole new bunch of people every phase is pretty amazing.
I knew that I had had an amazing time, and I'm sure you want some form of constructive criticism but I honestly have none, everything was just the way I had wanted it to be. I loved that I got there not knowing what I was going to be doing then found out not only were we going to be using machetes regularly but we were going to actually camp in the jungle (possibly something others may prefer to know well in advance, I on the other hand like surprises).
This project has really impacted what I want to do, for example I am doing spanish with my history degree now and have also take up latin american modules as you all got me so interested in the background of it all (particularly in relation to the gold mining).
Not only that but you've given me all these amazing memories and also introduced me to some of the most amazing people, I love Lucy, Naun and Brian ... amazing co-ordinators! I just can't believe that sitting here in my cosy little room in Warwick (really it is so tiny hehe) that I was in the jungle just a few months ago beating the record of eating the most purple puddings and getting bitten by sandflies and swimming in the river!
When can I come back!?
Alexandra Mangold describes her experience with Fauna Forever in Summer 2011
My time with Fauna Forever was amaizing. I really had a great time. Everything was organised and I didn't have to worry about anything.
I was working in the herpetology team and the work was hard sometimes, but I absolutely fell in love with the jungle and the animals living in it, so that the work was never too hard.
So all together, everything was well organised, the people were friendly and caring and the work in the jungle was amazing. We even saw a jaguar :).
I like to thank you guys hosting us, your hospitality was amazing, I was already feeling so comfortable in project house :) And especially I thank for unforgettable journey to tropical rain forest as members of your field team research group - greetings for Naun and Brian!!!
This was definitely the type of volunteer work that I wanted to take part in. And experience to go out in nights with Bryan working in transects was really exciting and great way to examine herpetofauna of jungle!
Satu Kangaskolkka and Pekko Parikka from Finland (May-June)
Both of my coordinators were great in field they shared great amounts of information about the different animals and trees in the jungle. They really did teach me a lot. The different lodges and accommodation that we stayed in were really good; being out there living in them really gave me the proper jungle feeling! At all the places the food was really nice. This whole experience was amazing and definitely fulfilled my expectations plus more! This has by for been the best experience of my life so far.
High points: Just being in the jungle was a high point on its own the things you see, hear and small are extraordinary. Working at Anaconda Lodge and Amazon Shelter was just amazing to get to see the animals that we had seen out in the field up close was so cool. Also working with the animals in the field was incredible I got to learn so much.
James Spence, from the UK (Jan to March)
Abraham shouted: “Ruuuun!” and that was the last bit of encouragement I needed. I held his day sack close to my chest and I sped with all my might down the trail. I guess I was running too fast because I felt like my feet could not catch up with my pace. I was so scared that I felt my face go white from the blood rushing down to my feet! I was gasping for air as I ran out of energy and I shouted to him that I could not run anymore. I turned my head to Abraham who was a few metres behind me and he told me to stop. I was so relieved and stopped just before one of our footprint traps of T1 trail. I saw a wasp stuck on his shirt and he said he had only been stung by two. We laughed and laughed and laughed… … I wish to thank Brian, Terry and Sara for everything they have taught me… …Thanks to the project for this experience - I can't wait to share this all with my family and friends back home in Malaysia.
Fahrol Liza Jaafar (Malaysia)
Mammal Team Volunteer
Like other species in its former genus Agalychnis, these frogs choose to lay eggs above the water source that will be the tadpole's home in a sticky mass that waits for the best conditions of abundant prey and lack of predators. Many frog species can't breed in large permanent water bodies as they will be eaten by the various predatory residents. So tree frogs of this subfamily choose temporary water bodies, and further hedge their bets by letting their eggs develop outside of the water, hatching and dropping in later. The catch is: there are predators outside the water as well, always searching for juicy frog eggs.
Brian Crnobrna (USA)
Herpetofauna Coordinator
I am able to appreciate my surroundings better now that my initiative has been accomplished. I find joy in many things I couldn’t before; like the way the forest flowers smell at night, waking up to howler monkeys in the early morning, a clear starry sky, observing Anolis lizards eating crickets, doing my laundry next to a scarlet macaw, watching giant river otters as they catch fish, chocolate-covered bananas at dinnertime, the sound of approaching rain and yes, even the pretty butterflies… …So for anyone visiting the rainforest hoping to encounter reptiles or amphibians, I encourage you to be patient, be persistent and pray for rain!... …Before arriving in Peru I prayed my experience on this project would be so great, so memorable and so unique that afterwards I wouldn't be able to imagine my life without it. My prayers have been answered.
Terry Burwell (USA)
Herp Team Volunteer
Chocolate, biscuits and cigarettes can all be bought pretty cheaply in town – most of the multipacks retail at under 5 Soles. However, their value increases significantly a few hours outside of town in isolated parts of the jungle. Give it a couple of weeks, and their value, when sold individually, can go up to approximately one person’s immortal soul… Seeing the tapir that lives around the lodge at Reserva Amazonica does not count as seeing one in the wild. Mostly because when it sees you it runs towards you wagging its tail and rolls over to have its belly scratched. It will probably also fetch sticks… …This project isn't just another gap year programme - this is the real thing so if you're faint hearted and afraid of a challenge stay away. Everyone else will have the time of their lives! You will see and do things you won't believe and come away with stories you couldn't make up. This is not only an exclusive and prestigious experience to have completed, but it's as exciting and as genuine as volunteer projects come.
Nella Beavor (England)
Bird Team Volunteer
And thus our great trip is coming to a close. We’ve just gotten back from TRC where we saw those of the team that were still there and got one last hurrah in the jungle. The boat ride up was absolutely spectacular. While it was still light we saw an entire family of half a dozen Capybara, but we had gotten a late start and so later we wound up driving straight into another particularly beautiful sunset on the river. And as if this weren’t enough, as the light from the sunset faded, the almost full moon was rising in the sky to our left as an enormous lightning storm started flashing behind us. It was far enough away that we couldn’t hear the thunder, but it must have been several miles wide, and the strikes were absolutely incessant, brilliantly lighting up the hazy thunderheads every second or two. Eventually another storm cropped up in front us, and our boat was surrounded on all four sides by the moon glinting off the river, the dimming glow of the sunset and the luminous bursts from the storms.
Ned Lederer (USA)
Forest Corridors
It was a privilege to work on the project helping to conserve incredible wildlife. It's in an area of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest where something spectacular can happen at any moment, and often does. What a great experience. When can I come again?
Paul Greaves (England)
Herp Team
The Ceiba tree witnessed the warrior fall to the ground and rose up to fight fearlessly against the demon. Branches fell from almighty heights, spells cut through the air and with a thunderous crack, the big tree too began to fall. With one final gust of energy, the tree swung its fall towards the Chullachaqui and landed straight on top of him. The demon did not die, but was forever trapped inside the trunk of the tree. Furious for losing the battle and for becoming trapped inside, the demon threw one final spell, turning the princess into a Tinamou, the large ground bird that calls into the evening dawn. If the demon could not be with the princess, he would not allow her to be with anyone else.
A Native Tale, told by Caty Cosmopolis
Mammal Team Coodinator
The Tambopata area of the Peruvian Amazon where the project works is an incredible place for travellers of all ages to explore; I was able to arrange a trip to the Andes mountains where I trekked to Machu Picchu, one of the new seven wonders of the world. Other volunteers on the project used their time to travel to Puno to explore Lake Titicaca, to Arequipa to see the Colca Canyon; there really is a whole host of spectacular sights to see either before or after your FFT experience and all within easy reach of the FFT basecamp town of Puerto Maldonado. I recommend this project to anyone looking for a great learning experience; fantastic wildlife, great people, beautiful surroundings, everything you need from a trip to the Amazon rainforest!
James Bird (England)
Herp Team Volunteer
Bird point count stations were located along five transects that traversed the various forest and habitat types of the area. Early censusing produced promising results, with species such as Pavonine quetzal, Trogons, Motmots and a handful of different Antbirds being frequently observed - species indicative of the quality of both the existing canopy and understory habitats. Meanwhile, completed questionnaires were rolling in and the receptiveness of the six neighboring families to a “compensation for conservation” agreement was high across the board. After seven days of solid field work, and filling up on Delicia’s endless platefuls of delicious food, the intrepid crew headed back out onto the highway ready for Round 2.
Oliver James (USA)
PES Team
I’ll admit it: I’m a city guy. I’ve lived in the suburbs around Seattle my entire life and have never done anything remotely similar to living in the Amazon jungle for five weeks. In fact, “camping” for me is at most a 12-hour, overnight activity where I sit around a fire and roast marshmallows with friends... …I’ve only been here for a week, but it feels like so much longer. I’ve learned so many things and met so many cool people. In these next four weeks, I’m looking forward to having an unforgettable experience, finding new things in the field and seeing what cool pictures the mosquito bites on my arm can form.
Dennis Tat (USA)
Bird Team Volunteer
Indeed, much in the same way as a pet owner will start looking like their pet. I started out on the herp team with Brian as my coordinator. Nothing will go to waste if Brian sits at your table. He will happily polish off anything that is left on one’s plate. And I was doing pretty much the same. I just felt hungry all the time. Then I switched to the bird team after 3 weeks. Strangely my appetite got a lot less all of sudden. Cesar doesn’t exactly eat like a bird but (shock, horror, unthinkable to the herp team) he has missed meals at times because he was napping. Sleep is never, I repeat, never, more important than food. It is still the only reason I get up in the mornings. But all of a sudden I found myself only having my own food, even if there were leftovers going that even Brian didn’t want. So if you have a fast metabolism, join the herp team. If you want to lose a few pounds, welcome to the bird team. I have no experience yet with the mammal team but I expect it is somewhere in the middle...
Sara De Vos (Holland)
Herp and Bird Team Volunteer
"I dreamed about going into the rainforest my whole life and the project fulfilled that dream. All of the sightings and experiences gained were beyond my imagination." - Martina Jurcovicova (Czech Republic)