Victor Valley College Tropical Research Initiative
Herpetofauna of Timor-Leste
Phase V
The logo of the Victor Valley College, Tropical Research Initiative, Timor-Leste Reptile and Amphibian Survey
June 17th to July 4th 2011
Map of Timor-Leste (click to enlarge and view Phase V fieldwork locations)
The Victor Valley College Tropical Research Initiative comprises the first ever intensive herpetofauna survey of Timor-Leste, the second youngest country in the world. For more information on the background to this project visit the Phase I home page.
Phase V took place during late June and early July 2011 and included eight of the members from earlier phases of the survey. A list of participants for Phase V follows:
Hinrich Kaiser (Instructor and Expedition Leader, Victor Valley College)
Mark O'Shea (Deputy Leader)
Naveen Jalota (Logistics and Medical, Victor Valley College)
Victor Valley College students:
Caitlin Sanchez
David Taylor
Marissa Cox
Universidade Nacional do Timor-Leste students (The Jets):
Luis Lemos
Agivedo Ribeiro (Laca)
Zito Afranio Soares
Our good friend Benny (Venancio Lopez Carvalho), the unofficial leader of "The Jets", did not accompany us on Phase V of the project, he was due to depart for the University of Sydney to study for an MSc part way through our time in Timor-Leste and had much to prepare. He met us at the airport when we arrived and visited us when we were in Dili, but was unable to participate further. We all wish Venancio the very best in his studies in Australia.
We also had another surprise, Laca had short hair!!
Apparently it was necessary for him to look like a teacher (what ever they look like), to pass his viva voca and qualify as one - don't worry Laca, it will grow back.
The VVC Phase V team:
Back row: Mark O'Shea, Caitlin Sanchez, Luis Lemos, David Taylor, Marissa Cox & Naveen Jalota;
Front row:
Agivedo (Laca) Ribeiro, Hinrich Kaiser, Zito Afrano Soares
& local guide.
click to enlarge
The locations in Timor-Leste visited during Phase V in 2011 are listed below.
During the project we also maintained a blog in the Expedition Field Notes section of this website.