Bwindi Researchers

Normally, acknowledgements and tribute for conservation efforts and achievements are given to funders, researchers and managers who do the technical work. At times politicians get credit too. That is fair enough. The contribution of each to conservation can be substantial.Today however, I want to pay tribute to a group that is sometimes forgotten despite their contribution. I know that these guys are locally appreciated and thanked, but they seldom get mentioned in the bigger discussion. This is my special tribute to the guys whose muscles and good humour make our visions a reality. We call these guys “porters”, “extras”, “casual labourers”, “trackers”, “trail cutters” and “local guides”. We rely on them.

A helpful porter getting ready with his load

My realisation of the contribution of these porters arises from my recent direct experiences. We were out establishing a vegetation plot. It was to be established deep in the forest perhaps 15 km from the nearest village and the road. From where the car dropped us we had to walk across hilly terrain – this is beautiful scenery (the reason I love what I do!). This was a great place to be except for the need to carry all our food, camping gear and everything else across these hills.

Here the guys fetching water

There was no way we would have managed to carry all the things we needed ourselves. At first there was some kind of hesitation from these guys when we told them how much we were offering for them to take the things up to the campsite.

Ascending with heavy luggage

From the very start it was clear to all of us that this was going to be a tough journey. We needed the porters and they were ready to help. After some bargaining we increased their pay – they earned and deserved every last shilling. Once we’d agreed terms they started one by one putting things on their heads and shoulders, they carried: equipment, maize flour, tents, bags, beans, vegetables and water among many other things some of which weighed up to 25kg.

Resting a moment during the journey

We moved up the hills slowly, chatting with them. They told us how they acknowledged that the work we were doing was good because it helped in the conservation of the park which in turn contributed to the their livelihoods in various ways. Soon my back-pack was weighing me down and I started to look forward to getting to the camp – I kept wondering how the guys lifting perhaps 25kg were feeling.

I am sweating as the hills became steeper

And then came the rain. Luckily I had waterproof gear. Unfortunately for the porters they did not. They braved it without complaints. They continued to chat and joke as we progressed on the now slippery ground – when some fell over others teased them. That’s when it hit me that these guys were definitely part of the reason why our research can be effective and successful.

We finally arrived at our camp site after about 4 hours of walking. Everyone was wet and tired but the porters immediately started clearing a campsite, helped set up tents and while some left, others stayed to help us look for fire-wood and to help us establish the plot over the following days.

Arrival at the campsite

Now I take the opportunity to pay tribute to these guys I consider the “UNSUNG HEROES OF CONSERVATION”: people who play their role with all their heart and without who, conservation and research in Bwindi and elsewhere would be much more difficult, and perhaps even impossible. We pay them for the work they do but I do not think that that is enough. That is why I have dedicated this blog to them. It is a small gesture, and they deserve more, may the work they do help us all to take conservation to higher levels of success. Please don’t forget them.

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Best wishes

Emmanuel