Sunset on the Amazon

by Nathan the Assistant Producer, in Peru
30th October, 2009

Spent the late afternoon trying to film pink dolphins. They’re elusive little creatures, popping up here and there and we managed to see a few, but they were too quick for the camera.
 
peru_boat
After that we ploughed down the Amazon filming Luke and Annie on the boat. And were lucky enough to catch the most amazing sunset. See the pictures below, which speak for themselves:
 
peru_sunset
 
peru_sunset2...Continue reading

Piranhas

by Luke, in Peru
30th October, 2009

peru_boat2
I did wonder whether dipping into the waters of the Amazon was a great idea considering all the creatures that lurk within its murky depths but Caesar (our captain) only knew of one fisherman who had been eaten by piranhas and considering all the villagers bathe and wash in the water daily we figured it would be a fairly safe bet. We took the speedboat out to the middle of the river and jumped in. It was fantastic – the current was incredible but we swam with it for about half a mile or so and had a great time leaping in and out of the speedboat which kept pace with us – particularly Annie and Molly who plunged into the water without hesitation and then proceeded to repeatedly clamber in and out of the boat jumping in with ear piercing shrieks. Quite what the local tribes thought of us all I have no idea but I suspect our mental health was in question. It served a dual purpose – a chance to wash our clothes as well as a refreshing break. ...Continue reading

“Please, don’t swim in the Amazon”

by Marc the Producer, in Peru
30th October, 2009

I know it might sound silly, but we all went swimming in the Amazon while we where on the boat. The other day my wife ,Julia asked me what animals live in the murky waters of the Amazon.  I told her things like piranha, crocs, pythons etc. I can still hear her saying: ”Just promise me one thing. Don’t swim in the Amazon!”....Continue reading

Manatees

by Luke, in Peru
31st October, 2009

Daryl Richardson is the founder of the Dallas World Aquarium and whilst working with some pink river dolphins a few years ago, was asked to help rescue some orphaned manatees.
 
peru_manatees2
It was a challenge as much as a worthy cause – manatees are CITES 1 critically endangered species and there was no proper rescue or rehabilitation facility in the country. Darryl’s motivation was simply to help these amazing animals, and the aquarium doesn’t have any Peruvian Manatees in Dallas – he did totally to help save the animals and conserve the species. A rare example of a commercial business that makes its money from exhibiting exotic species doing something incredibly altruistic.
 
peru_manatees3
It was a great visit and a privilege to learn about the manatees, handle them, feed them and appreciate why it is so important to protect them. They are a vital part of many of the tributaries of the Amazon, a key component to the delicate ecosystem. Hunted for blubber and food, these gentle giants only have one offspring at a time and with a gestation of 13months and a nursing period of up to two years, their reproductive rate is slow to say the least. They are now protected under Peruvian and International Law, but thanks to Darryl and his very competent team, they might just stand a chance and his far reaching education programmes seem to be really making an impact. As the locals learn that the creatures are so important to the fish in the river and they don’t eat them, they in turn will start to become their guardians....Continue reading

Manatees Again!

by Nathan the Assistant Producer, in Peru
01st November, 2009

The day of filming the manatees and I got to swim with them once the filming was all done. It was an absolutely brilliant experience and Marc (the producer), Annie (the other vet) and myself could have stayed in there all day. It has been a great trip and venturing down the amazon will stay with me for years to come.
 
peru_manatees...Continue reading

Bags to follow!

by Luke, in Peru
04th November, 2009

We made it back – about 7 hours of delays and 29 hours of travel, but whose counting. Thankfully two of the eight bags also made it so that only leaves six to follow. Been a brilliant trip, met some great people who have set up some very worthwhile organisations and I look forward to keeping in touch with them and getting some plans in action! Two week breather and then off we go again… just time to get a big firework party organised for Noah! ...Continue reading

Off we go again…

by Luke, in Nepal
16th November, 2009

Still scarred from the time I was late for the Waterbabies family photo shoot and jumped into the water with someone else’s wife and child (took a bit of explaining) I approached a packed Salisbury leisure Centre with a slight sense of trepidation. The queue for the pool was virtually out the door and considering people have been doing swimming as an organised activity since about 2500BC, I was vaguely hopeful that Salisbury District Council would get through the queue before Noah had time to introduce himself to absolutely everyone in the Centre and try all the emergency exit doors. Needless to say, they didn’t quite manage it....Continue reading

Keeping it short

by Luke, in Nepal
18th November, 2009

I’ve been told to keep these blog entries short – so here goes:
Breakfast was a drawn out affair, the fruit was particularly succulent but the coffee a little strong for my taste. I worked myself into a frenzy with the indecision of whether to have a white bread roll or a brown bread roll but finally opted for both – carbs are king. ...Continue reading

I forgot…

by Luke, in Nepal
18th November, 2009

I can’t do it; there is simply too much gripping information to report. For example, the boiled eggs I had were cooked to perfection. We also finally made it to Pokhara today. It has been an epic journey, broken up by a night in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, but after a relatively quick light aircraft flight between the mountain peaks of the Himalayas, we have touched down in the enchanting town of Pokhara, home to the newly formed charity Himalayan Animal Rescue Team (HART). ...Continue reading

La Vida Loca

by Nathan the Assistant Producer, in Nepal
18th November, 2009

Only two weeks ago I was in Peru sailing down the Amazon and now I’m in Nepal staring up at the majestic Himalayan mountains. What a crazy life…...Continue reading