Induction

We are given about 30 minutes to unpack and clean ourselves up. Our tents are about a ten minute walk from the main buildings and it's clear how much of an oasis this is, in the middle of a very arid landscape. It's easy to forget this is a desert. We receive a short presentation and induction from the main coordinator and researcher, Doug, a Scot who seems more keen to crack a joke than talk about the animals. However, we do learn more about the research done here and their main project, the leopard. The greatest challenge here is human animal conflict and the greatest flash point is farming. Over the past 150 years farming has spread to the further reaches of this arid landscape and at every point a native carnivore has found its home invaded. The researchers here are trying to find ways of maintaining a balance. A way to save the wildlife while also respecting the farms.