Boholské dobrodružství

Jako součást našich nynějších aktivit projektu připravujeme chovné centrum, které se bude jako první centrum na Filipínách zaměřovat na ochranu a výzkum nártouna filipínského z odborného hlediska. Toto centrum umožní založení soběstačné populace nártounů v lidské péči. Pozemek, kde centrum vzniká zakopilo Bohol Habitat Conservation Centre (více zde) a dřívější farma se nyní pozvolna mění v naši terénní ochranářskou stanici. Hlavní kroky, které jsme museli učinit je příprava voliéry pro nártouny, tedy její postavení a osázení místními rostlinami, a zajištění potravy pro nártouny. Dřív než získáme samotné nártouny, se tedy učíme, jak chovat nejrůznější druhy místního hmyzu.

Jsme moc rádi, že jsme v našem týmu mohli přivítat  Saru Garau, která u nás působila 9 měsíců jako dobrovolník. Odvedla obrovský kus práce! A jak se jí boholské dobrodružství líbilo?

I have been back home in Italy for few months now, and if I think about the 9 months I spent in Bohol I can’t help picturing them like a videogame. No, I don’t play videogames, at least not those which require a console, but I feel like I’ve been inside one. With difficulties and challenges to overcome, but also with so many rewards and bloating self-esteem.

So it went like this…

Level 1 : Habitat

Get used to rain, mud, dirt, floods, weird and most likely poisonous animals crawling around, plants with razor sharp leaves, and toads and crickets that can be way louder than a really busy highway, but a lot more pleasant too.

Level 2: Tarsiers

Here they are, the reason why I came all the way to this island, these tiny animals. You’ll learn that smelling and hearing them is way easier than finding them in the forest. And once you find them you’ll have about 1 minute rest before they jump so far you’ll lose track of them and have to start the quest all over again.

Level 3: People

Cultural crashes, misunderstandings, misunderstandings and more misunderstandings.

Level 4: Work

Struggle to find a way to breed all those insect that serve as tarsier food. Go completely mad when you find out that rats, or ants, or lizards, or too much moisture, or too much dryness got into the containers and your livestock is basically gone. Breathe deep and start all over again.

Level 5: Western world cravings.

At some point it is going to happen. At some point you will dream of cheese and pizza, a hot shower, a reliable power system, nice roads and buses without hundreds of people crammed together among quite a bit of live chickens. At some point these things will seem as exotic as a tropical beach with palm trees and piña coladas while it’s freezing cold and you’ve just lost the last metro home.

Bonus level: Typhoons, earthquakes, nasty infections and dog bites.

Overcome this almost uninjured (just some scars to remind me of those funny times) and then… you win!!

So what did win?? An amazing experience that gave me insights into a whole new different way of life. For 9 months I’ve been surrounded by wonderful people with a permanent smile on their faces. And their happiness is crazy contagious. They taught me that no matter how many times life tests your patience, or your strength, or your faith, or your beliefs, your willingness, there is always a way out, a way to pass the level, a way to win.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to live it all. Thank you so much to all the people that made this possible.

Thank you Sara!  

Would you like to join our actvities? Send your CV and letter of interest on tarsiusproject@gmail.com