spending just a few days and weeks with these monkeys you start to see their
these monkeys you start to see their
these monkeys you start to see their individual personalities start to emerge
individual personalities start to emerge
individual personalities start to emerge some of them are chatty some of them are
some of them are chatty some of them are
some of them are chatty some of them are kind of quiets others are just plain old
kind of quiets others are just plain old
kind of quiets others are just plain old mean and while it’s interesting to watch
mean and while it’s interesting to watch
mean and while it’s interesting to watch this just from a human observer
this just from a human observer
this just from a human observer perspective this is also really valuable
perspective this is also really valuable
perspective this is also really valuable information for scientists by tracking
information for scientists by tracking
information for scientists by tracking individuals from dawn until dusk every
individuals from dawn until dusk every
individuals from dawn until dusk every day we can take this kind of individual
day we can take this kind of individual
day we can take this kind of individual level information and learn about their
level information and learn about their
level information and learn about their structure of their society like who’s
structure of their society like who’s
structure of their society like who’s related to whom who’s higher-ranking or
related to whom who’s higher-ranking or
related to whom who’s higher-ranking or lower-ranking or bits about you know if
lower-ranking or bits about you know if
lower-ranking or bits about you know if they’re stressed out and what that means
they’re stressed out and what that means
they’re stressed out and what that means for their internal state unfortunately
for their internal state unfortunately
for their internal state unfortunately you can’t embarrass lis go up to a
you can’t embarrass lis go up to a
you can’t embarrass lis go up to a monkey and ask for a reminder of what
monkey and ask for a reminder of what
monkey and ask for a reminder of what its name is if you forget so we invest a
its name is if you forget so we invest a
its name is if you forget so we invest a lot of our time in the field just trying
lot of our time in the field just trying
lot of our time in the field just trying to learn their faces and this involves
to learn their faces and this involves
to learn their faces and this involves binocular standing really close to
binocular standing really close to
binocular standing really close to something and just staring at it for
something and just staring at it for
something and just staring at it for some monkeys this is not that hard at
some monkeys this is not that hard at
some monkeys this is not that hard at all this guy right here is a face that
all this guy right here is a face that
all this guy right here is a face that only a mother monkey could love and
only a mother monkey could love and
only a mother monkey could love and hopefully it doesn’t reappear in your
hopefully it doesn’t reappear in your
hopefully it doesn’t reappear in your dreams a little bit later tonight this
dreams a little bit later tonight this
dreams a little bit later tonight this one you could learn in five seconds
one you could learn in five seconds
one you could learn in five seconds other animals you don’t have to rely on
other animals you don’t have to rely on
other animals you don’t have to rely on faces to panda here on the left has half
faces to panda here on the left has half
faces to panda here on the left has half a tail you can tell her from you know 20
a tail you can tell her from you know 20
a tail you can tell her from you know 20 30 meters away but for the majority of
30 meters away but for the majority of
30 meters away but for the majority of them it comes down to looking at little
them it comes down to looking at little
them it comes down to looking at little ridges in their face little moles they
ridges in their face little moles they
ridges in their face little moles they might have or old scars from fights so
might have or old scars from fights so
might have or old scars from fights so we try to get as much of this into our
we try to get as much of this into our
we try to get as much of this into our own mental banks as we can but we do
own mental banks as we can but we do
own mental banks as we can but we do rely on our notes and fortunately Vivek
rely on our notes and fortunately Vivek
rely on our notes and fortunately Vivek and I are both world-class Natural
and I are both world-class Natural
and I are both world-class Natural History illustrators and we’ve filled up
History illustrators and we’ve filled up
History illustrators and we’ve filled up our notebooks with all sorts of
our notebooks with all sorts of
our notebooks with all sorts of illustrations like this I think this is
illustrations like this I think this is
illustrations like this I think this is davecs Mona Lisa here but jokes aside
davecs Mona Lisa here but jokes aside
davecs Mona Lisa here but jokes aside this is a really valuable tool to kind
this is a really valuable tool to kind
this is a really valuable tool to kind of remember the little landmarks on a
of remember the little landmarks on a
of remember the little landmarks on a monkey’s face and so we were the first
monkey’s face and so we were the first
monkey’s face and so we were the first kind of cohort of camp managers at guava
kind of cohort of camp managers at guava
kind of cohort of camp managers at guava so not only did we have to learn monkeys
so not only did we have to learn monkeys
so not only did we have to learn monkeys that had been identified by Peter and
that had been identified by Peter and
that had been identified by Peter and Nia but we also identified a bunch of
Nia but we also identified a bunch of
Nia but we also identified a bunch of new ones as well and on some days it was
new ones as well and on some days it was
new ones as well and on some days it was really exciting you see a female who’s
really exciting you see a female who’s
really exciting you see a female who’s recognizable
recognizable
recognizable and you know you might want to name her
and you know you might want to name her
and you know you might want to name her and this is what happened with a
and this is what happened with a
and this is what happened with a juvenile I think back early when we were
juvenile I think back early when we were
juvenile I think back early when we were there I was just standing there and
there I was just standing there and
there I was just standing there and Vivek ran up really excitedly Jeff I
Vivek ran up really excitedly Jeff I
Vivek ran up really excitedly Jeff I have a new mochi for us oh really
have a new mochi for us oh really
have a new mochi for us oh really that’s very exciting vivec have you
that’s very exciting vivec have you
that’s very exciting vivec have you thought of a name yet
thought of a name yet
thought of a name yet I think I want to name it a new show a
I think I want to name it a new show a
I think I want to name it a new show a new show what does that mean well it’s
new show what does that mean well it’s
new show what does that mean well it’s my sister’s name and I I think she’ll
my sister’s name and I I think she’ll
my sister’s name and I I think she’ll hate it
hate it
hate it perfect it’s excited normally we you
perfect it’s excited normally we you
perfect it’s excited normally we you know deliberate a long time back and
know deliberate a long time back and
know deliberate a long time back and forth because these names are in the
forth because these names are in the
forth because these names are in the record but that one was a pretty pretty
record but that one was a pretty pretty
record but that one was a pretty pretty easy call and it’s been fun to track a
easy call and it’s been fun to track a
easy call and it’s been fun to track a new show over the years I know she was a
new show over the years I know she was a
new show over the years I know she was a juvenile when we first identified her
juvenile when we first identified her
juvenile when we first identified her and now you know she’s come into her own
and now you know she’s come into her own
and now you know she’s come into her own she has offspring and some of the latest
she has offspring and some of the latest
she has offspring and some of the latest news is that Anusha has a new male which
news is that Anusha has a new male which
news is that Anusha has a new male which is very exciting
is very exciting
is very exciting but mothers have really intimate
but mothers have really intimate
but mothers have really intimate relationships with their infants they
relationships with their infants they
relationships with their infants they invest a great deal of time with them on
invest a great deal of time with them on
invest a great deal of time with them on caring for them while they still have to
caring for them while they still have to
caring for them while they still have to go about their daily duties so you’ll
go about their daily duties so you’ll
go about their daily duties so you’ll see a mother holding an infant like this
see a mother holding an infant like this
see a mother holding an infant like this with one hand while she’s grabbing grass
with one hand while she’s grabbing grass
with one hand while she’s grabbing grass with the other one it’s always amusing
with the other one it’s always amusing
with the other one it’s always amusing when she kind of you know craps his
when she kind of you know craps his
when she kind of you know craps his wires a little bit and whacking her
wires a little bit and whacking her
wires a little bit and whacking her infant in the head while she’s putting
infant in the head while she’s putting
infant in the head while she’s putting grass into her mouth but this
grass into her mouth but this
grass into her mouth but this relationship between mother and infant
relationship between mother and infant
relationship between mother and infant can last years as they grow up a bit
can last years as they grow up a bit
can last years as they grow up a bit more though give them rides when they’re
more though give them rides when they’re
more though give them rides when they’re tired
tired
tired gelatos can walk several kilometers a
gelatos can walk several kilometers a
gelatos can walk several kilometers a day in search of just the right grass
day in search of just the right grass
day in search of just the right grass meals and they’ll help them jump across
meals and they’ll help them jump across
meals and they’ll help them jump across little obstacles like this and when the
little obstacles like this and when the
little obstacles like this and when the kids need help they’ll let them know
kids need help they’ll let them know
kids need help they’ll let them know they’ll stand there screaming like and
they’ll stand there screaming like and
they’ll stand there screaming like and then it annoys the mom just enough swill
then it annoys the mom just enough swill
then it annoys the mom just enough swill throw them on the back and take them to
throw them on the back and take them to
throw them on the back and take them to the other side but it’s not only
the other side but it’s not only
the other side but it’s not only behavior that we focus on oh we’re out
behavior that we focus on oh we’re out
behavior that we focus on oh we’re out there knowing individuals can unlock all
there knowing individuals can unlock all
there knowing individuals can unlock all sorts of other information sources as
sorts of other information sources as
sorts of other information sources as well you can tell the VEX really excited
well you can tell the VEX really excited
well you can tell the VEX really excited about this one
about this one
about this one I think he gave a little teaser of it
I think he gave a little teaser of it
I think he gave a little teaser of it earlier and this is processing monkey
earlier and this is processing monkey
earlier and this is processing monkey fecal sample and when a monkey poops it
fecal sample and when a monkey poops it
fecal sample and when a monkey poops it gives you all sorts of information it
gives you all sorts of information it
gives you all sorts of information it tells you what it’s been eating how well
tells you what it’s been eating how well
tells you what it’s been eating how well it’s been digesting that and all their
it’s been digesting that and all their
it’s been digesting that and all their information about its internal state you
information about its internal state you
information about its internal state you can extract hormones from poop as well
can extract hormones from poop as well
can extract hormones from poop as well so what we do is we follow know one end
so what we do is we follow know one end
so what we do is we follow know one end of the
of the
of the Jules around and then try to guess when
Jules around and then try to guess when
Jules around and then try to guess when they’re going to poop and Vivek and I
they’re going to poop and Vivek and I
they’re going to poop and Vivek and I are both pretty competitive guys so this
are both pretty competitive guys so this
are both pretty competitive guys so this is a nice way to pass those long endless
is a nice way to pass those long endless
is a nice way to pass those long endless stays in the field you know who can end
stays in the field you know who can end
stays in the field you know who can end up with the most fecal samples in the
up with the most fecal samples in the
up with the most fecal samples in the morning like who can have this morning I
morning like who can have this morning I
morning like who can have this morning I haven’t talked about this publicly
haven’t talked about this publicly
haven’t talked about this publicly before but um I think the VEX a little
before but um I think the VEX a little
before but um I think the VEX a little bit better at this than I am
bit better at this than I am
bit better at this than I am unfortunately so congratulations thank
unfortunately so congratulations thank
unfortunately so congratulations thank you we can also look at disease in fecal
you we can also look at disease in fecal
you we can also look at disease in fecal samples because disease is in important
samples because disease is in important
samples because disease is in important parts of the geladas ecology about 30%
parts of the geladas ecology about 30%
parts of the geladas ecology about 30% of adults in the population at glossa
of adults in the population at glossa
of adults in the population at glossa have parasitic swellings of tapeworms
have parasitic swellings of tapeworms
have parasitic swellings of tapeworms from the genus tinea and you can see the
from the genus tinea and you can see the
from the genus tinea and you can see the swelling here on the head of this monkey
swelling here on the head of this monkey
swelling here on the head of this monkey but they can be found anywhere on the
but they can be found anywhere on the
but they can be found anywhere on the body at some point the swelling’s will
body at some point the swelling’s will
body at some point the swelling’s will continue to expand and occasionally
continue to expand and occasionally
continue to expand and occasionally rupture and it’s a way that the monkeys
rupture and it’s a way that the monkeys
rupture and it’s a way that the monkeys can get infected and then lead to
can get infected and then lead to
can get infected and then lead to mortality another kind of outlet of
mortality another kind of outlet of
mortality another kind of outlet of competition for via can die related to
competition for via can die related to
competition for via can die related to disease in us I lost about 30 pounds of
disease in us I lost about 30 pounds of
disease in us I lost about 30 pounds of body weight while I was in guava the
body weight while I was in guava the
body weight while I was in guava the first year and that had to do with a
first year and that had to do with a
first year and that had to do with a variety of kind of bacterial and viral
variety of kind of bacterial and viral
variety of kind of bacterial and viral issues but we had this contest running
issues but we had this contest running
issues but we had this contest running for some reason that we want to know who
for some reason that we want to know who
for some reason that we want to know who could go the longest without a shower so
could go the longest without a shower so
could go the longest without a shower so we went for I think two months and then
we went for I think two months and then
we went for I think two months and then a couple days and I was supposed to go
a couple days and I was supposed to go
a couple days and I was supposed to go back to the capital right before the VEX
back to the capital right before the VEX
back to the capital right before the VEX so I broke I was like alright fine this
so I broke I was like alright fine this
so I broke I was like alright fine this one’s yours but this sort of idiotic
one’s yours but this sort of idiotic
one’s yours but this sort of idiotic competition led to other problems as
competition led to other problems as
competition led to other problems as well I think for both of us the hands
well I think for both of us the hands
well I think for both of us the hands the flesh on our hand started rotting
the flesh on our hand started rotting
the flesh on our hand started rotting off and falling off in big sloths and we
off and falling off in big sloths and we
off and falling off in big sloths and we didn’t really know what it was so we
didn’t really know what it was so we
didn’t really know what it was so we wrote to some tropical disease
wrote to some tropical disease
wrote to some tropical disease specialists and they didn’t know what it
specialists and they didn’t know what it
specialists and they didn’t know what it was either
was either
was either so we dumped some balsamic vinegar on it
so we dumped some balsamic vinegar on it
so we dumped some balsamic vinegar on it and then we put gloves on and it went
and then we put gloves on and it went
and then we put gloves on and it went away after a couple months okay well so
away after a couple months okay well so
away after a couple months okay well so you just heard about how Jeff and I can
you just heard about how Jeff and I can
you just heard about how Jeff and I can get pretty competitive but that’s mostly
get pretty competitive but that’s mostly
get pretty competitive but that’s mostly in very trivial context
in very trivial context
in very trivial context we had too much time on our hands but
we had too much time on our hands but
we had too much time on our hands but male-male competition in geladas is
male-male competition in geladas is
male-male competition in geladas is actually no laughing matter because it
actually no laughing matter because it
actually no laughing matter because it has profound life-and-death consequences
has profound life-and-death consequences
has profound life-and-death consequences I mentioned earlier how each male gelada
I mentioned earlier how each male gelada
I mentioned earlier how each male gelada is associated with a group of females
is associated with a group of females
is associated with a group of females his harem now this kind of demographic
his harem now this kind of demographic
his harem now this kind of demographic imbalance creates a problem because it
imbalance creates a problem because it
imbalance creates a problem because it means there’s this pool of males that
means there’s this pool of males that
means there’s this pool of males that aren’t getting mating opportunities so
aren’t getting mating opportunities so
aren’t getting mating opportunities so there’s a huge amount of competition for
there’s a huge amount of competition for
there’s a huge amount of competition for these top spots and evolution has
these top spots and evolution has
these top spots and evolution has basically shaped gelada males to reflect
basically shaped gelada males to reflect
basically shaped gelada males to reflect this legacy of competition you can see
this legacy of competition you can see
this legacy of competition you can see that in this male here first of all he’s
that in this male here first of all he’s
that in this male here first of all he’s big and imposing male geladas are about
big and imposing male geladas are about
big and imposing male geladas are about twice the size of the females if you’re
twice the size of the females if you’re
twice the size of the females if you’re going to be fighting all the time it
going to be fighting all the time it
going to be fighting all the time it really it really helps to be big and
really it really helps to be big and
really it really helps to be big and they’re made even their mates look even
they’re made even their mates look even
they’re made even their mates look even larger by this billowing cape that you
larger by this billowing cape that you
larger by this billowing cape that you see right here the secondary sexual
see right here the secondary sexual
see right here the secondary sexual characteristics this makes them look
characteristics this makes them look
characteristics this makes them look more imposing and these aggressive
more imposing and these aggressive
more imposing and these aggressive interactions we also go back to that the
interactions we also go back to that the
interactions we also go back to that the chest patch so he is a very red
chest patch so he is a very red
chest patch so he is a very red bleeding-heart there and what that
bleeding-heart there and what that
bleeding-heart there and what that indicates is that testosterone is
indicates is that testosterone is
indicates is that testosterone is coursing through his veins he’s ready to
coursing through his veins he’s ready to
coursing through his veins he’s ready to fight and put it all out there what’s
fight and put it all out there what’s
fight and put it all out there what’s truly spectacular though are the canines
truly spectacular though are the canines
truly spectacular though are the canines gelada canine teeth are one of the
gelada canine teeth are one of the
gelada canine teeth are one of the largest among any primates relative to
largest among any primates relative to
largest among any primates relative to body size and during the day when we’re
body size and during the day when we’re
body size and during the day when we’re out with the animals we can hear them
out with the animals we can hear them
out with the animals we can hear them grinding their teeth against each other
grinding their teeth against each other
grinding their teeth against each other they’re grinding that canine against the
they’re grinding that canine against the
they’re grinding that canine against the bottom row sharpening it for a
bottom row sharpening it for a
bottom row sharpening it for a subsequent conflict
subsequent conflict
subsequent conflict now when fights erupt they can be pretty
now when fights erupt they can be pretty
now when fights erupt they can be pretty crazy to watch and sometimes we even get
crazy to watch and sometimes we even get
crazy to watch and sometimes we even get hit by monkeys that run into us but they
hit by monkeys that run into us but they
hit by monkeys that run into us but they can go on for hours if not days and
can go on for hours if not days and
can go on for hours if not days and eventually there’s going to be a winner
eventually there’s going to be a winner
eventually there’s going to be a winner so we observed the day’s long
so we observed the day’s long
so we observed the day’s long interaction in 2011 where at the end of
interaction in 2011 where at the end of
interaction in 2011 where at the end of it we heard a bone crunching sound and
it we heard a bone crunching sound and
it we heard a bone crunching sound and one male limped away totally bloody he
one male limped away totally bloody he
one male limped away totally bloody he disappeared after a few hours and and we
disappeared after a few hours and and we
disappeared after a few hours and and we never saw him again
never saw him again
never saw him again all the geladas become really really
all the geladas become really really
all the geladas become really really upset during
upset during
upset during these takeover events but it’s the adult
these takeover events but it’s the adult
these takeover events but it’s the adult females in the group where there’s a
females in the group where there’s a
females in the group where there’s a takeover attempts that stand to lose the
takeover attempts that stand to lose the
takeover attempts that stand to lose the most that’s because in gelada is because
most that’s because in gelada is because
most that’s because in gelada is because of the social system they have you see a
of the social system they have you see a
of the social system they have you see a very disturbing distasteful behavior
very disturbing distasteful behavior
very disturbing distasteful behavior this is infanticide the killing of
this is infanticide the killing of
this is infanticide the killing of infants the way this works is the male’s
infants the way this works is the male’s
infants the way this works is the male’s the new males will grab an infant off
the new males will grab an infant off
the new males will grab an infant off the mother’s back and it will turn these
the mother’s back and it will turn these
the mother’s back and it will turn these canines onto the baby why are they doing
canines onto the baby why are they doing
canines onto the baby why are they doing this they’re doing this because that
this they’re doing this because that
this they’re doing this because that baby isn’t theirs and they want to have
baby isn’t theirs and they want to have
baby isn’t theirs and they want to have their own chance of reproduction so by
their own chance of reproduction so by
their own chance of reproduction so by killing this baby that belonged to
killing this baby that belonged to
killing this baby that belonged to someone else they’re able to stop the
someone else they’re able to stop the
someone else they’re able to stop the mother from lactating and have her start
mother from lactating and have her start
mother from lactating and have her start her cycle again so that he can then mate
her cycle again so that he can then mate
her cycle again so that he can then mate with her so these males are advancing
with her so these males are advancing
with her so these males are advancing their own reproductive interests at the
their own reproductive interests at the
their own reproductive interests at the expense of the females as well as at the
expense of the females as well as at the
expense of the females as well as at the expense of other males like the one you
expense of other males like the one you
expense of other males like the one you see here terrified that his offspring is
see here terrified that his offspring is
see here terrified that his offspring is about to get about to get killed now the
about to get about to get killed now the
about to get about to get killed now the females in this story are actually not
females in this story are actually not
females in this story are actually not passive players at all and it was
passive players at all and it was
passive players at all and it was recently discovered that geladas have
recently discovered that geladas have
recently discovered that geladas have evolved an amazing strategy to
evolved an amazing strategy to
evolved an amazing strategy to counteract these infanticide old
counteract these infanticide old
counteract these infanticide old tendencies of the males so this was
tendencies of the males so this was
tendencies of the males so this was discovered by our colleagues at the
discovered by our colleagues at the
discovered by our colleagues at the University of Michigan working at the
University of Michigan working at the
University of Michigan working at the simians research site with geladas in
simians research site with geladas in
simians research site with geladas in Ethiopia they discovered that in geladas
Ethiopia they discovered that in geladas
Ethiopia they discovered that in geladas a phenomenon known as the Bruce effect
a phenomenon known as the Bruce effect
a phenomenon known as the Bruce effect is operating what this means is that
is operating what this means is that
is operating what this means is that when there’s a takeover in a group the
when there’s a takeover in a group the
when there’s a takeover in a group the females who are pregnant will
females who are pregnant will
females who are pregnant will spontaneously terminate their
spontaneously terminate their
spontaneously terminate their pregnancies pregnancy and having a baby
pregnancies pregnancy and having a baby
pregnancies pregnancy and having a baby is really energetically costly if that
is really energetically costly if that
is really energetically costly if that baby were to be born it would be bit
baby were to be born it would be bit
baby were to be born it would be bit would be killed the day that it’s born
would be killed the day that it’s born
would be killed the day that it’s born so they cut their losses and terminate
so they cut their losses and terminate
so they cut their losses and terminate the pregnancy they start cycling again
the pregnancy they start cycling again
the pregnancy they start cycling again and can soon have a baby in the end they
and can soon have a baby in the end they
and can soon have a baby in the end they end up losing little time overall in
end up losing little time overall in
end up losing little time overall in their own reproductive careers so this
their own reproductive careers so this
their own reproductive careers so this kind of drama it almost seems more
kind of drama it almost seems more
kind of drama it almost seems more fitting for Game of Thrones but this is
fitting for Game of Thrones but this is
fitting for Game of Thrones but this is daily life for gelato
this can be heavy stuff to watch
this can be heavy stuff to watch particularly when it’s your job to just
particularly when it’s your job to just
particularly when it’s your job to just take notes about it or gather pictures
take notes about it or gather pictures
take notes about it or gather pictures of it but it’s part of the job you sign
of it but it’s part of the job you sign
of it but it’s part of the job you sign up for this when you engage in kind of a
up for this when you engage in kind of a
up for this when you engage in kind of a long term field project like this and it
long term field project like this and it
long term field project like this and it also comes with other aspects when
also comes with other aspects when
also comes with other aspects when you’re out in the field for months at a
you’re out in the field for months at a
you’re out in the field for months at a time particularly in Alpine environments
time particularly in Alpine environments
time particularly in Alpine environments you’re exposed to some very extreme
you’re exposed to some very extreme
you’re exposed to some very extreme weather they can be challenging as well
weather they can be challenging as well
weather they can be challenging as well so as we kind of proceed through this
so as we kind of proceed through this
so as we kind of proceed through this day in the life of a gelada in the early
day in the life of a gelada in the early
day in the life of a gelada in the early afternoon it can turn from sunny to just
afternoon it can turn from sunny to just
afternoon it can turn from sunny to just absolutely dreadful very quickly and
absolutely dreadful very quickly and
absolutely dreadful very quickly and this has big impacts on our data
this has big impacts on our data
this has big impacts on our data collection our ability to take
collection our ability to take
collection our ability to take photographs and our ability to stay sane
photographs and our ability to stay sane
photographs and our ability to stay sane which is going to be reflected shortly
it’s been raining about non-stop since
it’s been raining about non-stop since Platt 45 this morning
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
as cliche what yeah I think we’ve spent
as cliche what yeah I think we’ve spent several Christmases at the Glossop but
several Christmases at the Glossop but
several Christmases at the Glossop but it’s always Christmas when there’s hail
it’s always Christmas when there’s hail
it’s always Christmas when there’s hail on the ground people ask me sometimes if
on the ground people ask me sometimes if
on the ground people ask me sometimes if I’m afraid of the monkeys attacking me
I’m afraid of the monkeys attacking me
I’m afraid of the monkeys attacking me or you know afraid of the animals kind
or you know afraid of the animals kind
or you know afraid of the animals kind of turning on us out there but to be
of turning on us out there but to be
of turning on us out there but to be totally straight a few it’s the
totally straight a few it’s the
totally straight a few it’s the lightning I am deeply deeply afraid of
lightning I am deeply deeply afraid of
lightning I am deeply deeply afraid of lightning in Alpine environments and
lightning in Alpine environments and
lightning in Alpine environments and rightfully so it’s very dangerous so I
rightfully so it’s very dangerous so I
rightfully so it’s very dangerous so I get kind of a chill seeing some of those
get kind of a chill seeing some of those
get kind of a chill seeing some of those videos they’re fun to like look back on
videos they’re fun to like look back on
videos they’re fun to like look back on but I don’t want to spend another rainy
but I don’t want to spend another rainy
but I don’t want to spend another rainy season at the glossa
season at the glossa
season at the glossa and to be fair the geladas probably
and to be fair the geladas probably
and to be fair the geladas probably don’t want to spend another rainy season
don’t want to spend another rainy season
don’t want to spend another rainy season at the glossa either but they don’t have
at the glossa either but they don’t have
at the glossa either but they don’t have as much choice as I do it’s a very
as much choice as I do it’s a very
as much choice as I do it’s a very exposed place there’s nowhere to hide so
exposed place there’s nowhere to hide so
exposed place there’s nowhere to hide so they just have to you know sit out there
they just have to you know sit out there
they just have to you know sit out there and take it like you’re research
and take it like you’re research
and take it like you’re research assistants sitting right there as well
assistants sitting right there as well
assistants sitting right there as well and they’ll bundle together and just
and they’ll bundle together and just
and they’ll bundle together and just wait it out some days they won’t even
wait it out some days they won’t even
wait it out some days they won’t even come up from their cliff edges and you
come up from their cliff edges and you
come up from their cliff edges and you know that can be difficult to find for
know that can be difficult to find for
know that can be difficult to find for days or weeks at a time
days or weeks at a time
days or weeks at a time but with these rainy periods which can
but with these rainy periods which can
but with these rainy periods which can last for days or weeks or months there’s
last for days or weeks or months there’s
last for days or weeks or months there’s kind of a seasonal cycle to it the
kind of a seasonal cycle to it the
kind of a seasonal cycle to it the Highlands transform they become very
Highlands transform they become very
Highlands transform they become very lush on the guava that grass grows green
lush on the guava that grass grows green
lush on the guava that grass grows green and tall and down on the farms the crops
and tall and down on the farms the crops
and tall and down on the farms the crops start growing and the livestock start to
start growing and the livestock start to
start growing and the livestock start to fatten up on the really nutritious grass
fatten up on the really nutritious grass
fatten up on the really nutritious grass that exists down there there’s more
that exists down there there’s more
that exists down there there’s more livestock in Ethiopia than in any other
livestock in Ethiopia than in any other
livestock in Ethiopia than in any other country yet it’s rare to see any
country yet it’s rare to see any
country yet it’s rare to see any livestock on the guava itself and this
livestock on the guava itself and this
livestock on the guava itself and this is by design for centuries we’re talking
is by design for centuries we’re talking
is by design for centuries we’re talking hundreds of years here the local
hundreds of years here the local
hundreds of years here the local community has limited access to the
community has limited access to the
community has limited access to the guava except during an occasional time
guava except during an occasional time
guava except during an occasional time of need every couple of years and what
of need every couple of years and what
of need every couple of years and what this means is that they’re trying to
this means is that they’re trying to
this means is that they’re trying to protect their most precious resource on
protect their most precious resource on
protect their most precious resource on the glossa and that’s the grass the word
the glossa and that’s the grass the word
the glossa and that’s the grass the word guava is derived from the Amharic word
guava is derived from the Amharic word
guava is derived from the Amharic word for for stupid grass which you see
for for stupid grass which you see
for for stupid grass which you see growing here
growing here
growing here aside from being a potential buffer zone
aside from being a potential buffer zone
aside from being a potential buffer zone for grazing animals and livestock the
for grazing animals and livestock the
for grazing animals and livestock the grass itself is a very useful resource
grass itself is a very useful resource
grass itself is a very useful resource for the local people they use it to
for the local people they use it to
for the local people they use it to thatch the ruse of their houses they use
thatch the ruse of their houses they use
thatch the ruse of their houses they use it to build ropes line their floors and
it to build ropes line their floors and
it to build ropes line their floors and build brooms and many other tools as
build brooms and many other tools as
build brooms and many other tools as well and for centuries enforcement of
well and for centuries enforcement of
well and for centuries enforcement of this closure of the glossa from grazing
this closure of the glossa from grazing
this closure of the glossa from grazing or for grass cutting was associated with
or for grass cutting was associated with
or for grass cutting was associated with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church this is a
the Ethiopian Orthodox Church this is a
the Ethiopian Orthodox Church this is a really important institution in
really important institution in
really important institution in Highlands and it ties in with traditions
Highlands and it ties in with traditions
Highlands and it ties in with traditions that’s um go back you know more than
that’s um go back you know more than
that’s um go back you know more than century’s enforcement could be very
century’s enforcement could be very
century’s enforcement could be very severe however many years ago if you
severe however many years ago if you
severe however many years ago if you were caught illegally grazing your
were caught illegally grazing your
were caught illegally grazing your cattle it would be killed on the spot if
cattle it would be killed on the spot if
cattle it would be killed on the spot if you cut grass without permission your
you cut grass without permission your
you cut grass without permission your house would be burned down in recent
house would be burned down in recent
house would be burned down in recent years a more secular and less severe
years a more secular and less severe
years a more secular and less severe version of this enforcement has emerged
version of this enforcement has emerged
version of this enforcement has emerged and now it’s being led by this man add
and now it’s being led by this man add
and now it’s being led by this man add masu Gitana
masu Gitana
masu Gitana who is a former soldier turned
who is a former soldier turned
who is a former soldier turned conservationist he leads patrols of
conservationist he leads patrols of
conservationist he leads patrols of local farmers from the community on the
local farmers from the community on the
local farmers from the community on the glossa day and nights looking for
glossa day and nights looking for
glossa day and nights looking for unwelcome Outsiders people that are
unwelcome Outsiders people that are
unwelcome Outsiders people that are poaching its resources cutting its grass
poaching its resources cutting its grass
poaching its resources cutting its grass cutting down its shrubs to make charcoal
cutting down its shrubs to make charcoal
cutting down its shrubs to make charcoal and for centuries the fact that they
and for centuries the fact that they
and for centuries the fact that they have been preserving this region to
have been preserving this region to
have been preserving this region to protect his grass has had the unintended
protect his grass has had the unintended
protect his grass has had the unintended consequence at least initially of
consequence at least initially of
consequence at least initially of preserving its wildlife this is not the
preserving its wildlife this is not the
preserving its wildlife this is not the case throughout many of the other parts
case throughout many of the other parts
case throughout many of the other parts of the Ethiopian highlands where farming
of the Ethiopian highlands where farming
of the Ethiopian highlands where farming in over grazing has led to erosion and
in over grazing has led to erosion and
in over grazing has led to erosion and just the real change in the land cover
just the real change in the land cover
just the real change in the land cover that you see this is outside of guava
that you see this is outside of guava
that you see this is outside of guava and this is a photograph of Ryan Burke
and this is a photograph of Ryan Burke
and this is a photograph of Ryan Burke another former camp manager from the
another former camp manager from the
another former camp manager from the glossa gelato research project over the
glossa gelato research project over the
glossa gelato research project over the past several years along with several of
past several years along with several of
past several years along with several of his Ethiopian colleagues
his Ethiopian colleagues
his Ethiopian colleagues they’ve been scouring the highlands
they’ve been scouring the highlands
they’ve been scouring the highlands looking for information about geladas
looking for information about geladas
looking for information about geladas sensing them and figuring out what their
sensing them and figuring out what their
sensing them and figuring out what their distribution is and they’ve created this
distribution is and they’ve created this
distribution is and they’ve created this map this is the most up-to-date
map this is the most up-to-date
map this is the most up-to-date understanding that we have
understanding that we have
understanding that we have gelada distribution there found only in
gelada distribution there found only in
gelada distribution there found only in Ethiopia along these high-altitude ridge
Ethiopia along these high-altitude ridge
Ethiopia along these high-altitude ridge lines associated with the Great Rift
lines associated with the Great Rift
lines associated with the Great Rift Valley and the gorges that go inland
Valley and the gorges that go inland
Valley and the gorges that go inland from it this is a much reduced range
from it this is a much reduced range
from it this is a much reduced range from what people thought geladas existed
from what people thought geladas existed
from what people thought geladas existed in based on some preliminary surveys
in based on some preliminary surveys
in based on some preliminary surveys 4050 years ago and right now Ryan and
4050 years ago and right now Ryan and
4050 years ago and right now Ryan and his team are still working on these
his team are still working on these
his team are still working on these surveys there’s a couple areas left to
surveys there’s a couple areas left to
surveys there’s a couple areas left to go but this is really rewriting what we
go but this is really rewriting what we
go but this is really rewriting what we know about gelada distribution big wasa
know about gelada distribution big wasa
know about gelada distribution big wasa is located right in the center and it
is located right in the center and it
is located right in the center and it stands apart as I mentioned as the most
stands apart as I mentioned as the most
stands apart as I mentioned as the most ecologically pristine elements where
ecologically pristine elements where
ecologically pristine elements where geladas are found and with an
geladas are found and with an
geladas are found and with an ecologically intact environment comes
ecologically intact environment comes
ecologically intact environment comes other things in this case predators it’s
other things in this case predators it’s
other things in this case predators it’s very rare to see a predator out in the
very rare to see a predator out in the
very rare to see a predator out in the daylight in the highlands this is only
daylight in the highlands this is only
daylight in the highlands this is only one of a couple sightings I had of a
one of a couple sightings I had of a
one of a couple sightings I had of a servo cat over my time there but there
servo cat over my time there but there
servo cat over my time there but there are also hyenas and leopards and other
are also hyenas and leopards and other
are also hyenas and leopards and other mammalian predators in this environment
mammalian predators in this environment
mammalian predators in this environment despite the fact that you don’t often
despite the fact that you don’t often
despite the fact that you don’t often see predators they still have a massive
see predators they still have a massive
see predators they still have a massive impact on the behavior of this species
impact on the behavior of this species
impact on the behavior of this species geladas are always on edge and you’ll
geladas are always on edge and you’ll
geladas are always on edge and you’ll hear alarm calls coming up maybe several
hear alarm calls coming up maybe several
hear alarm calls coming up maybe several times a day where geladas will stop what
times a day where geladas will stop what
times a day where geladas will stop what they’re doing and scan the environments
they’re doing and scan the environments
they’re doing and scan the environments devoting all their attention to
devoting all their attention to
devoting all their attention to assessing whether there’s a threatened
assessing whether there’s a threatened
assessing whether there’s a threatened area most of the time there are false
area most of the time there are false
area most of the time there are false alarms but they have good reason to be
alarms but they have good reason to be
alarms but they have good reason to be worried I had no idea that I was
worried I had no idea that I was
worried I had no idea that I was standing just a couple meters away from
standing just a couple meters away from
standing just a couple meters away from a serval that was hiding in this bush
a serval that was hiding in this bush
a serval that was hiding in this bush and neither did the female who was
and neither did the female who was
and neither did the female who was carrying this infant I was standing
carrying this infant I was standing
carrying this infant I was standing there and I saw a flash of movement and
there and I saw a flash of movement and
there and I saw a flash of movement and her geladas starting to scream I spun
her geladas starting to scream I spun
her geladas starting to scream I spun around and kind of threw my camera up
around and kind of threw my camera up
around and kind of threw my camera up and took this photograph a second later
and took this photograph a second later
and took this photograph a second later the servo was gone buried in this st.
the servo was gone buried in this st.
the servo was gone buried in this st. Johns wart thicket you can tell this
Johns wart thicket you can tell this
Johns wart thicket you can tell this infants just a couple days old it still
infants just a couple days old it still
infants just a couple days old it still has the umbilical cord attached and a
has the umbilical cord attached and a
has the umbilical cord attached and a dried-out placenta onon the herd was
dried-out placenta onon the herd was
dried-out placenta onon the herd was screaming and fled back towards their
screaming and fled back towards their
screaming and fled back towards their sleeping cliffs followed by their mother
sleeping cliffs followed by their mother
sleeping cliffs followed by their mother who was given her own mournful calls
who was given her own mournful calls
who was given her own mournful calls even if geladas don’t experience a
even if geladas don’t experience a
even if geladas don’t experience a predation event just
predation event just
predation event just predators often enough to send herd
predators often enough to send herd
predators often enough to send herd fleeing back towards the cliffs
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