There is, however, a bit of a complication. Typically other
students from UF come with us to Botswana and so we all help each other as research
assistants. This year, however, it is only me so I am hiring a research assistant.
In April or May I communicated with a local named Fidelis who had worked with
some of my teammates previously about helping me out. He seemed excited so I
made the plans. I emailed him Friday to confirm and just heard back this
morning that he got another job. I am excited for him as it sounds like a good
job, but this might alter my plans a bit.
The good thing is, he says he has a friend who is studying
wildlife in South Africa but currently is in the Caprivi Strip of Namibia, not
too far from Chobe. It sounds like this friend is willing to work with me. He
gave me his phone number and email but not his name, so I don’t even know what
to call him. I just sent an email to him to confirm that he is available when I
need and to get his information. See, I need to have him listed on the
supplemental permit if I am going to bring him into the park with me. I think
for that I need his passport number and birth date. Well we’ll see, the whole
thing is in the Lord’s hands so I’m sure it will work out. I just hope it comes
together soon because time is limited and I can’t do what I need to do without
a research assistant. I’ll let you know how it works out.
Okay, since I typed that I got a response from
him. It turns out his name is Tererai and he is a student with the Southern
African College of Wildlife getting a certificate in conservation. He says he
can meet me Friday morning and he gave me the details I need for the permit.
That sounds good, I’m impressed he responded so quickly. I guess we’ll see how
it all works.
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