Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Interview Form for Hunters

Yesterday i am busy preparing Wildlife Observation Form and today i have another task to do. I am preparing Interview Form for Hunters. This form is mainly to get the rough estimation of the consumption of wild meat and use of other carcass parts by the local people. Hopefully by interviewing them we will get an idea of the meat consumption.

I am still trying to get more idea on this task because i never done this before. Hmm....i have to read more information and find related article or journal on how this things been done.

However, different areas (with different natives), there will be different approach even though the way they harvest wild meat is almost the same. We are Bornean people. Got to go..lot more works to be done.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Wildlife Observation Form

What should i put in this observation form or maybe i can call it observation field data sheet?

What are the important information that i really need from field observation?

I am thinking of something that other people can easily understand and they can use this form. Something that not too complicated and everbody know what to fill in this form. It must be something easy but have the information that i need. Besides that, i can translate it into Malay language.

But, if i put a column for Species Name, i don't think they know too details so i will ask them to put Malay Name or English Name or Native Name but the problem with native name is that, i don't understand Murut and Lundayeh language. I really have to work out on that. It should be no problem.


Information i need:

1. Vernacular Name / Species Name

2. Date - Day/Month/Year

3. Location - GPS reading

4. Elevation

5. Time recorded - Hour/Minutes/Seconds

6. Forest Type

7. Quantity

8. Remarks - Nesting, Food, Behaviour

For the time being, this is some of the information that i can think of. This should help me to get a raw data on what wildlife do we have in our area. I hope i can get some information from our field personnel. I wish i am the one that go out and do the observation but it is okay. I have to rely on other person to do it for now.

I really really miss doing field observation.......

Friday, March 13, 2009

Tagging and Information -- How?

When you walk through the education trails there will be a tag and information about the trees along that trail. For example the local name, family name, genus name or even until the species name.

I just wander what is the best way to give a good information about that trees or herbs? As you can see in the photo above, it only give the local name and family name of that tree. That is the only information that we can get. I am not a good botanist so this is not attractive at all for me so i am not sure if i can identify this tree if i walk inside the forest.

What is the best way then?

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Beautiful Note To Share - Life is A Gift

Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who died too early on this earth.

Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

Before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us is without sin.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

My New Life......Just Begin....

One month has passed by and I am still searching for my new career direction. Where is actually I am heading to? After a month of struggling in adjusting myself in this new working environment I want to share a little bit about what I feel and what I have in my mind.

My first visit was to a rural area and meeting the local villagers that still use almost all the natural resources around them, I am back on track again. I talk to them about animals and asking where they found them. They are very keen to share their experienced and knowledge. It is the matter of how I lead the conversation and reach their interest on sharing their experienced in hunting and harvesting the wildlife and plants. But, there is a problem with me. Language. I have to do something about it because most of them are not really good in Malay language. They use their own mother tongue and I don't even know a word of it. I have to do something about it. I have to learn their language so that our conversation will become easy and we understand each other. Till next visit.

My next visit was to a primary forest where the waterfall was. It is just like I am HOME again when I can heard the sounds of hornbills, barbets, bulbuls and lots more birds singing. Smell the fresh air with the cold and misty surroundings. It is a hilly area and it was so amazing being there. Lots of things come up in my mind. There are so many things have to discovered in this area. What animals are actually we have inside this deep forest with this interesting landscape? A hill range with waterfall that surrounded by tree plantation. What will lives there? But….I was frustrated because my task here was no longer as a field biologist. My dream job. My passion.

Do I have to give up on my passion? I will not give up just like that. I challenge myself on this new task. I give myself one year to prove myself that I will do something extraordinary. I will share more if my feet moves one more step from where I am standing now.