Victor Valley College Tropical Research Initiative
Herpetofauna of Timor-Leste
Phase I

Maubisse to Samé

Map of Timor-Leste showing route to Samé, Manufahi District.
(click to enlarge and view 2009 fieldwork locations)

From Maubisse we drove south, following the Australian soldiers' directions, to Samé where we met an Australian national, Jeff Collins, who provided local advise. Located at a lower altitude, it was immediately apparent we would find more reptiles and amphibians both around Samé town, on the roads, in the bush and on the neighbouring Trilolo River.

Decaying colonial houses with a Portuguese ship-gun in the foreground, at Samé.	Lab work at Samé.
Waterfall on the Trilolo River, near Samé.

A Timorese cowboy near Samé.	Blowpipe practice at Samé: Scott, Laca, Zito & Luis.
Signing autographs for UN Police from Nigeria and Zambia.

We explored widely around Samé and came into contact with the UN Police who were very helpful, especially when one of our vehicles received a puncture and it was discovered there was no jack vehicle itself. The Police visited us later in Samé to obtain autographs, OBA shows widely in Africa.