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The Facial Tattoos of Oro Province, Papua New Guinea

The Facial Tattoos of Oro Province, Papua New Guinea

The Facial Tattoos of Oro Province

The unique facial tattoos of women in the Oro Province in Papua New Guinea, are a beautiful sight to see.

The women of Tufi pass down this tradition of facial tattoos and believe it makes them more beautiful and youthful.

We were fortunate enough to be able to see a demonstration of this practice, which is done only by certain woman in the village who have the skills and technique. The black ink used for the tattoos is made by mixing ground charcoal with water, then the pattern is painted on the girl’s face using the stalk of a taro plant. Then a lemon plant thorn is used as a needle to pierce the skin so that the ink can penetrate and permanently stain the flesh.

If you want to learn more about the Facial Tattoos and the Oro Province head over too. @indopacificimages 

Misool Marine Reserve South Raja Indonesia

Misool Marine Reserve South Raja Indonesia

Misool Marine Reserve South Raja Indonesia

 

Misool, marine reserve is working, a recent scientific survey analysed fish biomass at several sites within the Misool Marine Reserve, comparing data from 2007 and 2013. The sites included many of Misool’s most popular dive sites such as Nudi Rock and Daram. On average, the biomass increased by 250% over just 6 years. On some key sites, recovery surpassed 600%.
A separate 2012 study established that there are 25 times more sharks inside the Misool Marine Reserve than directly outside of it. Oceanic Manta sightings have also increased 25-fold between 2010 and 2016 

Mobula Ray

Mobula Ray

Mobula Ray

Looking into the eye of this dead mobula ray we found on the bottom on the ocean floor while snorkelling.

In recent years, manta rays (which are similar to mobula rays) have increasingly been exploited by targeted fisheries that prize them for their gills, which are sold in China and also for their meat and skin that is consumed locally.

With the new manta regulation in Indonesia prohibiting fishing or trade in mantas, the unfortunately reality is that Indonesia lacks both the resources and manpower to ensure strict compliance through enforcement mechanisms alone. It is simply too big an area with too many fishing communities scattered across it.

These often poor and less educated fishermen have few options when it comes to providing for their families. They either fish or go hungry, it’s that simple.

Fishermen in Indonesia are uniquely positioned to benefit from another option. A peer-reviewed study led by Wild Aid The Manta Trust and Shark Savers estimated that global manta ecotourism generates USD$140 million in annual revenues – USD$15 million per year in Indonesia alone – making the species highly valuable for many Indonesian communities who now rely on ecotourism for their livelihoods.

Unfortunately, these same populations of manta rays are threatened by targeted fisheries which only generate USD$400,000 annually in comparison.

The transition from fishermen to tour guide is not necessarily a simple one. There are several organisations creating alternative livelihood options for Indonesia communities and fishermen such as

@conservationorg https://www.conservation.org/projects/ocean-health-index

and

@mantatrust https://www.mantatrust.org/

 

You can support their organisations and conservation programs.

 

https://wildaid.org/sharks-and-manta-protection-kicks-in/

 

Komodo Dragons, largest lizards on the planet

Komodo Dragons, largest lizards on the planet

Oh look what we came across snorkelling today some Komodo dragons. Just kidding…. we didn’t snorkel with them.

But these beauties are the largest lizards on the planet.

 

Komodo Island natives have given them the name ora, which means, “Land crocodile.” Ten or so years ago, scientists believed Komodo dragons had saliva laden with really deadly bacteria and that bites containing the spit were potent enough to bring down a water buffalo.

But that wasn’t actually the case: In 2009, biochemist Brian Fry tested this conventional wisdom by hunting for dangerous microorganisms inside several Komodo dragon mouths. Fry learned that, contrary to popular opinion, their chops have proportionally fewer bacteria than most meat-eating mammals do. Furthermore, Fry found no trace of any especially hazardous ones.

What he did find was venom glands. Situated in the lower jaw, these release a nasty cocktail that causes paralysis, extreme blood loss, inadequate clotting, tissue damage, and excruciating pain. Those buffalo never stood a chance.

Also another cool thing, the want to be Komodo dragon mums needn’t wait around for a male to help them. On multiple occasions, captive females have laid eggs that produced healthy babies despite not copulating first. In fact, one mother had never even shared an enclosure with a member of the opposite sex before.

Here’s how it works: When no males are around, female Komodo dragons—like certain other lizards—may practice something called parthenogenesis. Basically, this means that, in lieu of sperm, certain egg cells can fertilize each other.

What does a Naturalist actually do??

What does a Naturalist actually do??

What does a Naturalist actually do?? People ask….

Well, the definition based in the dictionary is “an expert in or student of natural history.”

We are your everyday David Attenborough’s, the bridge between the scientific community and every day people. This is what part of my job looks like as a science communicator, the other part is being a David Attenborough commentator on the natural world we see whilst on expedition.

Just a few of my favourite topics to present are: ‘the life history of crocodiles’, and ‘conservation in the Kimberley’.

My career as a Naturalist has developed over the years, and I’m keen to encourage young kids to find a good path in working with animals or the environment.

I’ve written a blog article on my website, so feel free to share it if you know of any kids who are budding Naturalists

Waterbuffalo, Bulo River Station

Waterbuffalo, Bulo River Station

Water buffalo were imported to Australia in the 19th century to supply meat to remote northern settlements.

The settlements and their buffalo were abandoned in 1949 and despite harvesting for meat, hides and as hunters’ trophies’, feral buffalo spread across the northern floodplains.The Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign reduced feral buffalo numbers significantly in the 1980s and 1990s but numbers are again very high right across northern Australia causing significant damage to wetlands….even though they are environmental impactors I still have a soft spot for cattle, as growing up on a dairy farm in NZ, and milking cows for pocket money was my childhood upbringing.

Now my mate Grace Mitchelson (featured in the next photo) works and looks after this baby buffalo at Bullo River Station https://bulloriver.com.au/ can’t wait to see what he’s like when he’s big!