Some lazy days and a Turtle!

10-31 to 11-3


Hey Everyone,




The past couple days have been pretty repetitious so I figured I wouldn't blog for a few days so I could definitely add some interesting stuff in!



The 31st of October was rather uneventful, no Halloween here in Ghana haha. But I hope everyone had a fun night back home!

The 1st of November was slightly more eventful, with Braimah and I traveling through the town, where he introduced me to several residents. I'm Finally starting to get the feel of Damongo, I know most of the major part of town now as well as a lot of great people!

The night of Nov 1st Braimah and I went on one of our night hikes. He really seems to enjoy them and is always asking me questions about the animals we find. He wants to one day work in the wildlife conservation field, so his enthusiasm and company are very welcome! It makes me feel good that I can help teach him about some of the wildlife here considering that was was one of the major reasons I came to Ghana! (To promote the conservation of all God's creation and to educate people about it!).

During our nighthike we came across numerous frog species and millipedes as usual, but the highlight of the night was the presence of at least 10 individual Bush Babies! These tiny little primates are incredible (for a mammal), they scale the tree tops and jump from limb to limb without hesitation even during the pitch black night! I'm hoping to get some better pictures of them, but so far they've eluded me well!

Eyes of a bush baby!

Sadly also on our night hike we came across a butchered Juvenile African Rock Python. It had obvious slash wounds on it from a blade and was near a small campsite at the fishing basin of the dam. So it was obviously a human induced fatality. I was still able to use it in a positive way though I showed Braimah what the Python looked like and how to distinguish it from some of the more venomous species in the area, hopefully even when I leave he will be able to continue spreading the message of live and let live!

Poor little python, hopefully I can help prevent this in the future!

The following day (November 2nd) was largely uneventful, although I was able to learn a lot about the human history of Ghana from Michah another of the members of A Rocha stationed in Damongo. Michah has a great deal of knowledge on the history of the tribes within the country and went into great detail about the former range and habits of the Gonja, Ashanti, and other such tribes that ruled the area for centuries (most of the people in Damongo are descendants of the Gonja tribe).



November 3rd was a whole nother monster now. The day began as a typical day here in Damongo. That is until Braimah came to my door with news of a Turtle crossing the road! They were able to retrieve the turtle and bring it to me before it was injured on the road. Anyone who knows me understands the excitement that experienced when I saw my very first wild African turtle! Pelomedusa subrufa or the African Helmeted Turtle is a species that generally inhabits ephemeral ponds tending to migrate to search for other water sources or moist soil to burrow in during the dry season (AKA Now) so this little guy was likely looking for a new water hole or a place to chill out during the intense heat of the dry season. After I finish taking pictures with him I'll be sure to drop him off in a nice sport near where he was found!

I like turtles

Pelomedusa subrufa, tell me he's not adorable!

Last but surely not least, Daryl Bosu the head of the Damongo branch of A Rocha will be getting back into town tonight following his business in Kumasi. So either tonight or early tomorrow we will begin formulating the final plan of action with the crocodile surveys. I'm very excited to begin this project as it not only plays to my interests, but also will allow me to help others as surveying the population of crocodiles will help to establish eco-tourism practices in the region allowing for another source of income for the people here, thus helping to better their daily lives all the while promoting conservation and coexistence!







 " There is the sea vast and spacious teeming with creatures beyond number-living things both large and small." Psalm 104: 25