Prepping for Kirindy Mitea
by Luke Dollar
July 4, 2005

In three weeks, we’ll be embarking on the most challenging expedition this team has ever faced. We’re going back to Kirindy Mitea National Park, where we trapped briefly in 2001. Back then, there was only a subset of the staff in the field. This year, we’re going with a full staff and taking an Earthwatch “Extreme Team” with us. At least twenty folks overall.

Kirindy Mitea is an extraordinary place. The diversity is amazing, the forest is not highly disturbed, and the fossa density is exceptionally high. However, there are no facilites, roads, amenities or infrastructure. The nearest city is a day away via off road 4x4, as is the nearest electricity, plumbing, pavement, restaurants, or stores. Once we arrive, we’ll pitch our tents and begin digging a latrine. The nearest well is an hour away by car. We’ll be truly “out there.” Preparing supplies for two dozen people is a challenge. If we don’t take it, there is no possibility of popping out to the store and picking it up. Stay tuned to hear more!