One Less Red Colobus

My time in Africa is winding down. Ruth and I are doing some tree surveys and other non-routine work for the last few days. Two weeks ago Aloyce watched a leopard attack and eat one of the red colobus monkeys so we’ve been looking over our shoulder quite a bit in the forest. I can tell you that my naps in the hammock have not been quite as restful. Other exciting but not so happy news, Ruth and Aloyce saw some poachers kill a duiker with dogs and spears last week. Alan and I were following the other colobus group at the time. Ruth called her contacts at the National Park and was able to give the names of each of the poachers as they were recognized by Aloyce and are from Alan’s village. We haven’t heard what happened to them yet, and while we hope that the warden raided their house that night and caught them with the duiker, this is dubious. Around the homestead, Wadudu’s puppy is getting bigger and Ruth can’t stop picking her up even though I try to warn her about the fleas, ticks, hookworms, roundworms and other nefarious creatures that infest dirty puppy blankets.



The bugs have been out of control lately. If we’re not being bitten by mosquitoes we’re being attacked by tsetse flies or sweat flies. I was definitely surprised though when one day I was swarmed by butterflies! I think that they were drawn in by the mustache magnet.



We had a short day in the forest last week so we took the opportunity to visit Magombera village and Aloyce’s home for the first time. Along the way, we spotted some lucky kids and taught them how to throw the Frisbee that Angela sent us.



Aloyce’s father is renowned for his knowledge of the local trees. He knows which wild forest trees and fruits are edible, which are used as medicines and which are poisonous. He taught Aloyce and his other sons everything that they know. So we have him to thank for all of the guidance and information about the forest that Aloyce has given Ruth. Without Aloyce, Ruth’s research really might not be possible. People come from all over the area to consult with Aloyce’s father. Even Arafat, the director of the Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Center has gone to him for forest medicines. We were really happy to finally get to meet him! And we brought beers which made our visit that much better! Aloyce’s father likes to spend his days sitting under the shade tree in their yard watching his grandchildren. He doesn’t go into the forest the way he used to and has earned his rest. Apparently he was once bitten by a Black Mamba and survived.

Angela mailed Ruth some Barbie toys that Aloyce shows his daughter Escola how to use, while grandpa relaxes watching from his favorite spot.


Aloyce’s house was set up nicely. He shares a well with his father, his home is secluded and surrounded by his fields and a large variety of shade and fruit trees and he built a separate small house for his kids. He also had lots of chickens and ducks which roamed the grounds eating all the bad bugs and providing fresh eggs, although many of these died recently from the intense heat. Most of the structures in Katarukila and Magombera are built out of this red brick which is readily available. Aloyce built his own house, by himself, in just a few days.

Aloyce’s farm


Kid’s house!


Well, we had a few things to give away while we were in Magombera. Sister Sarah my good friend sent us two soccer balls, and we still had one left from Ruth’s aunt Carolyn’s last package. Thank you SO much, friends, for all of the neat stuff that you sent us. Receiving these care packages was a great treat for Ruth and I. One of the soccer balls went to Magombera village c/o Aloyce who holds the ball that everyone in the village comes by to borrow. We gave him one a few months ago that has already been played out.



The other two we brought to the Magombera primary school. Once again we were swamped by happy curious kids, many of whom have never seen a wazungu before.





We had to sit in the principles office for a while



But were soon let out to enjoy the day and watch a handball game by the girls and a regular soccer game by the boys- using the new soccer balls from America.



This Bug Of The Day is a doozie. It buzzed my head this morning while I was brushing my teeth. It was definitely trying to get out of the house as you can see by the last photo, but I was able to capture a few images before it sawed through the bars with its forelegs and escaped.