Parque Nacional Yasuní

As part of Stu’s research work we got invited to spend a couple of days at the Scientific Research Station at Yasuní National Park (Ecuador’s largest mainland park). It is a stunning location for scientists, Masters and PhD students to conduct field work and research the fauna and habitats (wetlands, swamps, marshes, lakes, rivers, tropical rainforest, etc). There were about four different buildings (some dorms and some individual rooms for staff, students and visitors), a communal dining area / Café, a laundry room, the labs and a herbarium. Meals are served at 7am, 1pm and 7pm and as there is no TV and a no alcohol / no smoking policy, the timetable seems to follow daylight. We got up around 6.00am and went to bed before 10pm.

Being in the middle of the jungle is quite a unique experience. The sky at night is very clear and the stars seem to shine brighter. There are lots of different funny noises (we were serenaded every night by some frogs that sounded just like ducks) and colours are really vivid. One cannot escape the attacks of bugs, especially mosquitos and sometimes it is kind of funny to see everyone walking around scratching arms and legs (just not funny when it is you who is eaten alive by those little buggers!!).

Omaca, the semi-domesticated
tapir who visits the research 
station regularly 

The sun decided to shine when we were in Yasuní, the sky was an amazing shade of blue and we took the opportunity to explore the river Tiputini and go up the observation tower near the research station. Our guide was a man from the local Huaorani community who spoke very little Spanish (his native language is Kiwchua), but made himself clear through noises and signs.  I found it rather difficult to walk in the mud, sometimes the depth was deceiving and you found yourself with mud up to nearly your knees – pulling the wellies back out was not an easy task! Despite the thick forest we managed to see some monkeys, a toucan, various types of frogs and many beautiful butterflies.

Back at the station we met the students and researches who were spending a few months there. The local staff was also full of knowledge and it was just very interesting to hear what everyone was working on. Even more fascinating I found the dynamics between the local tribes, the research station and the big petrol company stationed in the area (Repsol). It is very easy to make assumptions as to who is the “baddie” in the picture, but the challenges and solutions to all the different issues don’t have easy answers and it’s certainly food for thought….