The Owl Monkey Project research site is based within a ranch called Guaycolec in Formosa, Argentina. The research site consists of forests and is surrounded by mainly grasses with some trees, horses and a ton of cows. From time to time there are gauchos (ranchers) that will pass by on horses, wearing broad hats and colorful sash.
Within the forest area of the research site, there are flooded, muddy areas that attempt to get your boots stuck. There are also mosquitos that have no regard for bugspray or human comfort. There are tucans and other colorful birds. The biggest danger at the camp and research site is snakes, one species doesn’t have a cure to its venom. As tempting as it is to walk around in sandals and air out my sweaty feet at the end of the day, I have found it much more comforting to walk around in closed toed shoes.
Almost three weeks into the summer, I have become more independent and assured while walking around the forest and collecting data. The forest is divided into transects and flagging that we navigate through using a compass. We start our days off while it’s still dark outside, I’ve gotten used to this and navigating through a dark forest. The first time I did it, I was scared of, not snakes, but any random person that might be living in the woods and awaiting someone to abduct. This, of course, is a fear based on movies and not reality. Since my first solo morning forest walk in the dark, I’ve become more assured and less scared while walking around. Over the weeks I’ve become better at finding the quite, small, owl monkeys that live high up in the trees. One time I saw a small fleck of white in the trees and knew they were there! When we haven’t been collecting behavioural data on monkeys, we’ve been exploring other parts of the ranch and setting up cameras and taking pictures with a drone. Camp life has been a lovely mix of canoeing, playing the board game Settlers of Catan, and grilling on an open fire.
On our days off we walk to the center of Formosa, a small and vibrant city. The walk to the center of town is about 45 minutes, but it passes quickly because the sidewalk has boarders of a ton of green space. Along the walk there are different exercise contraptions, playgrounds, and people playing pick up games of soccer. Last weekend was July 9th, the Independence Day of Argentina and there was a big festival in the main park. There was live music and shops and food. The shops were mainly selling leather products and mate cups. Mate is a drink that consists of a lot of leaves in a cup, with a little bit of hot water, and a straw that has a strainer at the end. I didn’t love it at first, but it has certainly grown on me. It is drunk in a way where one cup and straw is passed around a group in a very communal manner.
After the weekend another IIP student and I visited Iguazu, some of Mother Nature’s finest work. While Maddie and I explored, we set a goal to talk to at least 7 people (beyond “Hola” and a smile). This brought us to ask people about directions, where to find monkeys and even American politics. We lucked out with the weather and got some pretty amazing views!
–Rebecca Composto The Owl Monkey Project, Argentina
Penn's International Internship Program 