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TRAVEL TIPS
[This column was written in October 2002 for a Polish aquarium hobby magazine -- Magazyn Akwarium]
Traveling in a tropical country can be quite an adventure. I prefer to
plan transportation and accommodations well ahead of time because
"winging it" in some countries can be difficult especially if your time
is limited and language barriers exist. I generally use a travel agent
who knows exotic "nature" travel well. A good way find such a
knowledgeable agent is to speak with people who have visited places you
are interested in seeing. You can also look on the internet -- though
it can be difficult the gauge the quality of an agent based on a web
site. Occasionally it may be possible to join a group of researchers
traveling/working in some far flung location. I have been lucky to work
at research stations in the Amazon, Borneo, Costa Rica, and Madagascar.
Do your research before you embark on a trip. Learn about local customs
and taboos and be respectful of cultural differences. It always helps
to learn some phrases in the language especially if you are going to be
working with a local guide. A good local guide can make or break a
trip. Guides are easy-to-find -- knowledgeable guides are not. Ask
fellow travelers, knowledgeable travel agents, and people who've made
the trip before for guide recommendations. Sometimes travel books can
offer insight on finding a good guide.
When traveling in a tropical country it is important to stay calm, cool,
and flexible in all situations. Always be aware of your surroundings
and avoid standing out (which makes you an easier target for crime).
Always be ready for the unexpected -- if something can go wrong it often
will. Be patient for the inevitable delays and hassles that are a part
of traveling in many countries. Remember that when dealing with customs
agents and bureaucrats that a smile and well placed "tip" can go a long
way in solving "problems."
Keep a positive attitude and an open mind, while remembering that
sometimes the best experiences on a trip are the unexpected. Most of
all, enjoy your travels.
Author throwing a net in Borneo.
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Recent news
Charting a new environmental course in China
(05/21/2012)
Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) works in more than 30 countries and
has projects in all 50 of the United States. The Conservancy has over one million
members, and has protected more than 119 million acres of wild-lands and 5,000 miles
of rivers worldwide. TNC has taken an active interest in China, the world's most
populated nation, and in many important ways, a critical center of global development.
The following is an interview with multiple directors of The Nature Conservancy's China
Program.
New 'bony-tongue' fish discovered in Myanmar
(05/18/2012)
A new species of arowana, a highly valued aquarium fish, has been described from southern Myanmar (Burma). The description is published in last month's issue of the journal Aqua.
Wildlife in the tropics plummets by over 60 percent
(05/15/2012)
In 48 years wildlife populations in the tropics, the region that holds the bulk of the world's biodiversity, have fallen by an alarming 61 percent, according to the most recent update to the Living Planet Index. Produced by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the index currently tracks almost 10,000 populations of 2,688 vertebrate species (including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish) in both the tropics and temperate regions.
Educating the next generation of conservation leaders in Colombia
(05/14/2012)
Colombia's northern departments of Cordoba and Bolivar are home to an abundance of coral reefs, estuaries, mangroves forests, and forests. Rich in both marine and terrestrial wildlife, local communities depend on the sea and land for survival, yet these ecosystems are imperiled by booming populations, overexploitation, and unsustainable management. Since 2007, an innovative education program in the region, the Guardians of Nature, has worked to teach local children about the ecology of the region, hoping to instill a conservation ethic that will aid both the present and the future.
Manta rays tracked by satellite
(05/11/2012)
Satellite tracking technology has revealed new insights into the behavior of manta rays, reports the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The findings are published in this week's issue of the journal PLoS.
Featured video: the oceans and Rio+20
(05/10/2012)
A new video by Pew Environment Group and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) hopes to convince policy-makers attending the Rio+20 Summit on Sustainable Development this summer that urgent action is needed to save the ocean's from an environmental crisis.
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