I see these magnificent shells littered on the ground – in the woods, on lawns, everywhere. It’s the shell of the Giant African Land Snail. In Tanzania, they are native – living in terrestrial habitats or on land. But back in the United States they are an invasive species. Not only do they devour vegetation of most [...]

It took longer to get,set up but I am finally trapping. That means I’m collecting data. Woo, hoo! Here is a peek into all of the fun I’ve had working hard in Tanzania! (You can follow my real time updates from Tanzania on Twitter, @DNLee5 and the hashtag #DispatchesDNLee. If you would like a Dispatch [...]

The focus has been getting the trapping research going. It is labor intensive because it requires the labor of setting it up. But as I stated before, the weather is not being my friend. But here is the recap of my second week in Tanzania. [View the story "#DispatchesDNLee Getting To Work" on Storify]

It’s the Rainy Season now in Tanzania. I’ve been told that it should be coming to a close soon.  I clearly underestimated how wet it would be. The vegetation is so much more green and lush from before. The roads are bumpier, rocky and fill with large gaping crevices. Streets I’ve traveled dozens of times [...]

I am back and ready to work. Kind of. LOL, this heat and humidity is kicking my butt. What was I thinking coming back in the rainy season? Oh, yeah, I gotta know how the different seasonal patterns may affect natural history of the Pouched Rats. My time has been on getting the necessary approvals [...]

Today, April 25, 2013 is World Malaria Day. I learned about Malaria in junior high school. Along with Yellow Fever and the Flu of 1918 these were the headline diseases we learned about in Health Class. Later in high school biology and social studies courses, I learned about these diseases again. In college I learned [...]

I safely arrived to Mororgoro Tanzania on Wednesday afternoon, April 17. While most of my friends in the States and Canada were rising from their sleep, I was happy to see the cloud-covered Uluhuru mountains high in the sky.  I swear it felt like I was just here! As I was coming up the main [...]

I’ve got plenty of stamps, so please don’t be shy about postcard requests. Like last time, I’ll be sending engaging people here, online. Ask questions, share stories. AND I will be sending postcards! Just like before, I am happy to send a postcard to anyone who requests one. Please complete the Google Document below. The [...]

Mambo! I’m departing today for Tanzania. I’m actually looking forward to returning to the field. (I love field work and the chance to get dirty, travel and experience the world from different perspectives.) I’m telling you, being a field ecologist is the best! I managed to get most of everything I said I needed and [...]