A special foreign zoological excursion usually takes place in the form of a mass excursion by bus to one of the nearby European countries. In the case of a tropical animal project, we go to more exotic destinations. This spring, a group of four students led by Daniel Frynta moved to Indonesia, specifically to a field called Wallace biogeography. The Indonesian islands here form a kind of bridge where the Eastern fauna blends with Australian and where there is also a number of endemites. The aim of the expedition was mainly the endangered turtles, but also other reptiles – lizards and snakes.
Although the search for specific animals in an unknown country resembles a search for a needle in a haystack, we have brought a solid amount of data and samples so that there will be several articles not just about the turtles. In addition, we have been able to establish contact with local animal experts who have promised us cooperation on future expeditions. In addition to turtles, monitor lizards and scinks we’ve also seen many other interesting animals, plants, people and places.
Trip to the tropics is not a cheap affair. But the experience you get is for unpaid!