How and where to see a fossa in Madagascar The forest was hissing. Intrigued, and[…]
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Horror and beauty in the dumps of Kirindy, Madagascar
How and where to see a fossa in Madagascar The forest was hissing. Intrigued, and a little scared, Frederik and I switched on our flashlights. The sound came from the[…]
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Songs for the gorillas of Nkuba
Music is a great way to spread important messages. In the village in Nkuba in DRC, where we worked for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, we met with a group[…]
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Fighting Hunger With Vegetables In A Remote Congolese Village
Welcome to Biruwe! Biruwe is a small village of North-Kivu, located five kilometers from Nkuba, the village where we live. We visited Biruwe for the first time when Frederik needed[…]
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One extraordinary hour with the gorillas of Kahuzi-Biega National Park
We were going to see gorillas in the wild for the very first time. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, and one few people can boast about. For us, and some of the[…]
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No good to see gorillas in Nkuba Conservation Area
Frederik and I turned to our right where the crashing noise came from. But as everywhere else we had been in the last days, all we could see around us[…]
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Salt and feathers make a sensational performance in Ungwe
We heard the first screams and whistles from the top of the trees, far above our heads. I smiled to Frederik: the first parrots had arrived. Binoculars and camera pointed[…]
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REDD+ to fight climate change and help people in Nkuba
Over the past few months, much has been happening in the Nkuba Conservation Area (NCA) in Congo. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (DFGFI) has worked together with the NGO Wildlife[…]
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The white walkers had a hard time in the forest
Only two days after arriving to Nkuba, Frederik and I were invited to join a patrol to the forest. The patrol was leaving for three days to record data on[…]
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Welcome in our new home in the Congolese rainforest
However eventful, our trip to get to Nkuba was of course only the beginning of our adventure in DRC. Now has come the time to make Nkuba our home. And[…]
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Challenges on the road to Nkuba
On paper travelling from Goma to Nkuba is relatively straightforward: you take the UN helicopter to Walikale and then drive two hours to Nkuba (as explained in our previous post).[…]
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From Goma to our new home in the rainforest
Our flight to Walikale is confirmed! Tomorrow, we will thus leave the city of Goma on board of a UN helicopter. This helicopter flies twice a week and is currently[…]
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We have arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo!
After a few days bonding with the Rwandan team and learning all we could about the Nkuba Conservation Area, the day has come for Frederik and I to cross the[…]
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We found an amazing job… in the wilderness!
A few months ago, we mentioned we were seeking a job in the wilderness. Well, we have found one. And a great one at that!
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Rare forest birds influenced by topography and habitat quality
Found up to 5200 meters above sea level across the Andes of South America, Polylepis trees can grow higher than any other in the world. True survivors, these trees are[…]
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Reconciling biodiversity conservation with ecosystem services to save rare Andean forests
Protected areas are important tools to conserve biodiversity. As they are often located in populated areas, protected areas are increasingly expected to also provide ‘ecosystem services’. Ecosystem services are the[…]
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The ghosts of Udzungwa Mountains National Park
In the heart of the Eastern Arc Mountains, roughly five hours driving from Dar Es Salaam, lies the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Although little known by tourists compared to other[…]
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Protecting nature in Half of the Earth could affect over one billion people
Humanity is currently experiencing the biggest biodiversity crisis it has ever faced. During this ‘sixth mass extinction’, entirely caused by human activities, species go extinct at a rate 1000 times[…]
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Spotting otters in the Weerribben-Wieden National Park
Otters are wonderful animals. With their streamlined body, webbed feet and water-repellent glossy fur, they are one of the best swimmers of all land mammals. We have long wanted to[…]
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Seeking a job in the Wilderness!
It’s the end of an era for Frederik and I: seven and six years after we started, respectively, we have successfully defended our PhDs at the University of Antwerp! And[…]
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In vultures’ heaven: the Spanish Pyrenees
I’ve had a sweet spot for vultures since I studied the breeding behavior of a pair of Cinereous or Black Vultures (Aegypius monachus) at the Zoo of Antwerp during my[…]
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