Wiebke just sent the following note about her time at Lomas, as she thinks over her time there in anticipation of the project's 25th anniversary this summer:
"I joined the Lomas Barbudal Monkey Project
as a field assistant in November 2003 and never expected what a profound impact
the experience would have on me. I remember being quite overwhelmed by the
physical demands of the job, coping with tropical heat, enduring torrential
rainstorms and accepting being eaten alive by mosquitoes and chiggers. My whole
body felt like tiny needles were spiking into it from the permanent heat rush
and my backpack was rubbing into my shoulders as if it was trying to slowly
sever my arms. In my first month I seriously doubted I would last through my
one year contract.
I did last. I grew stronger and the demands
of the job seemed easier. Dry season is a good time to do field work! It also
turned out that I was quite skilled as a monkey observer. I found friends and
genuinely fell in love with Costa Rican biodiversity. In short, I felt happy and at home in my new
environment. So the girl that considered quitting in her first month came to
stay ten years on the project working as data analyst, field site manager and
outreach officer.
The Lomas Barbudal Monkey Project shaped me
to be the person I am now. That was not always an easy or comfortable route and
I made a great many mistakes along the way, but I was also lucky to enjoy the
support of all the wonderful and extraordinary people I have met on the job.
The army of “moneros” (as assistants of the project proudly call themselves) is
a magnificent one. Every single one of these brave, tenacious and loyal men and
women worked hard to make the project what it is today. 25 years of wild
capuchin research is truly remarkable!
In 2013 I left the project for Britain. In
the meantime I have obtained a Master’s degree in Conservation and Biodiversity
from the University of Exeter where I currently work as a teaching technician. Last
year I was invited to join the Board of Directors of the Wild Capuchin
Foundation, so I am still in touch with development in Lomas and monkey antics
(as well as hard science!). Hearing
about it just is not quite the same and I hope I will have the opportunity to
go visit the field site before long. I miss it dearly.
Congratulations, Lomas Barbudal Monkey
Project! Wishing you many, many more anniversaries to come!
Wiebke Lammers"
