A Biologist Abroad

Abstract

Rory Putman presents a series of stories from his own field work in A Biologist Abroad. He has worked as a zoologist in three disparate environments: Iceland, Africa, and Indonesia. Drawings by Catherine Putman enhance the entire book. The longest, well-developed account in this book highlights research during long summer nights and days as his team studied 30,000 wild pink-footed geese in Iceland. They observed birds in central Iceland where they nest in extensive wetlands and on high riverside rock stacks. The team collected data for later analysis so they could determine whether these birds are a distinct species. These experiences set the tone for the entire book. Putman dramatically recalls extreme weather and physical hazards while his team studied the life cycle of pink-footed geese in 1969. The expedition began with an ocean voyage and camping in Iceland while arranging a bus to the site. The seven men had extreme difficulties with transporting their gear to the large Pjorsarver wetland research site near the central part of the country. The team began by hauling canvas tents, provisions, and equipment, and then hiking across expansive wetlands and below glaciers. This recollection seems like a contemporary adventure to readers who immediately share his excitement and delight at every discovery. As Putman and the other team members assigned each other to bird nest sites for rotating observations and campsite duties, they coped with daily cold, rain, and snow and great danger of stream crossings. Eventually, they decided to work continuously on long summer nights and days. Next, they planned to capture some geese and take blood samples for scientific analysis. Eight ROTC cadets from Radley College came to help for a week. The team learned that geese walk in very large groups to higher elevations when threatened, so they trapped 500–600 birds by using nets and poles. The scientists saw old, low stone fences that had been used in the past to funnel geese into a natural cleft on a large hillside above the wetlands. Putman found that local Icelanders ride ponies, which seemed like a great advantage. These people historically rode the ponies to drive flocks of geese into that natural cleft. He describes other bird species such as plovers, wildlife encounters including an Arctic fox, and natural wonders such as moss rings, ice caves, and heaps of 40 young birds that slept together when lost or orphaned. The second ‘‘book’’ in the volume follows two dozen color photographs through which the author documents the drama of African markets and species of African wildlife that he mentions in the following pages. Putman had animal husbandry research questions when he worked in East Africa. He went to the wildlife ranch of the African Wildlife Leadership Foundation to learn about their work with oryx, eland, and buffalo. They wanted to know if native animals could be semi-domesticated. Due to the natural aggressive behavior of the buffalo, only two species were considered for herding. Both the oryx and eland were herded with goats nearby. Since cattle, sheep and goats could not tolerate the dry seasons as well as native ungulates do, the results for herds of oryx and eland were good. However, local customs require that cattle be raised for currency in the custom of marriage dowry. On a side trip, he helped to capture a giraffe, enjoyed a reunion with friends, traveled to Mount Kenya, and traveled to see lions that rest in trees. Putnam learned as much as he could about national parks, Tanzania, and its wildlife.