When scientists undertake fieldwork, they have more to worry about than just potentially dangerous animals, unpredictable weather events and treacherous terrain. There are political issues of which to be sensitive, if not outright danger of kidnapping, attacks, or war. Sometimes research teams are even accompanied by local armed guards for safety such as during a rapid assessment (RAP) survey in Liberia in late 2005. The Pakistani Army provided security and transport for the RAP team as part of their UN peace keeping duties as Liberia was emerging from civil war.
"Our team was grateful for their assistance and they put us at ease so that we could focus on our work. Many of the soldiers were curious about our work and we took the opportunity to share with them what we were doing," explains Peter Hoke, scientist with CI's Rapid Assessment Program.
Even in dangerous areas though, conservation is important. Our scientists are careful, but they also realize the importance of their work. Read our scientists’ accounts of brushes with danger and witness of conflict below.
While searching for a possibly extinct fish in Colombia, Ian Harrison's trip was cut short for fear of guerillas. Months later, a colleague was kidnapped with several students.
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Sitha Som
Sitha Som works in the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia, in the legacy of decades of conflict between the government and the Khmer Rouge. |
The search for rare birds led Tom Brooks to the Sulu-Sulawesi seascape, but he also found islanders blinded and maimed by warfare and senseless waste of natural resources.
François Tron works in New Caledonia, where serious conflict is avoided by dialogue, respect, partnership, faithfulness.
Working in Central America, Jim Barborak has seen military coups, landmine explosions, drug-runners, endured full-body searched by armed forces and even been held by guerillas.
Patrick Kipalu has worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2001 where armed conflict and military presence is a way of life.
Each of these stories are the views of individual scientists employed by or partnering with Conservation International (CI). The views expressed here are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CI.