A message from Antony – 3 months on
It has been three months since I joined the University of Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit. Before, I never knew what it meant to collect data and why someone must use specific methods to do it right. That is now history. Thanks to Dr. Lucy Tallents who has been working tirelessly to make sure that I understand all the methods involved in the study of wildlife. Here I am in Oxford, enjoying listening to some musicians playing in the street.
For your information, I am the only student on this course who does not already have a degree. Nevertheless, I have been keeping up quite well with the rest of the students. I am quite amused by statistics, and the logic of working out different questions regarding wildlife and conservation models. I think I want to pursue it to greater length when I finish this course.
Apart from the weather that the natives also have trouble with, everything else has been fine. I have finally moved into my own room. It is really fancy, but at times I get really lonely as I am used to sharing a tent with my colleague back in Kenya. I am not going into details about food. I try to eat pretty much what I can get my hands on, but am really missing the real food of home and the people there; especially my family and other locals that have been dispersed by the raging drought. Here I am in Oxford with a postcard to send home.
I would like to take this chance to thank all the Lion Guardian blog reader for the support they have been giving. It really gives me strength to move on in this tough life. This means that I have an extensive family to count on all the time. May God bless you all. I would especially like to thank Sheri and Owen Hogle who sent me this wonderful suit. Thank you so much! I hope you will agree it looks great!
I try to follow the activities of the Lion Guardians, especially the new project in Eselenkei, just as you do on the blog. This gives me joy in my heart that finally my dream is coming true – that lions across Maasailand are going to be saved from the brink of extinction, and my fellow warriors from other ranches, who were yearning for the program to commence there have been satisfied.
it’s great to hear from you! and it’s about time. you look so handsome in the new suit! love your tie! what’s your first reaction whenever you see people there wasting the precious water? and they actually waste lots of land and life giving water for a game called golf? we know with the water and open space all the world’s golf courses use up each year, how many wildlife and people’s lives can saved and improved? especially in areas where rain is so rare to come by and grazing land is no more.
I was thinking of you just today. It is wonderful to see you in good spirits and full speed. Weather and food, weather and food. Oh, well. I am just happy it isn’t too hot.
The one thing I was thinking today before I saw your post is that your writing is so enchanting that I hope some day you could have a chance to write a whole book. You are such a good writer. It don’t expect such thing to happen any time soon. You are probably too busy to give much consideration to it now. But some day in future you might find it useful to have a stack of collected notes from your past experiences waiting for a dust-up. Really.
Jambo Anthony,
Today is my 63rd birthday. Imagine my happiness at receiving your message. You look
very handsome in your suit. We are so very pleased that you are doing so well.
You insight into what really matters in this life shows such wisdom. You are a gift to all you care for, the people, animals and land of Kenya. Your dedication and commitment to your education give us all hope.
And please keep writing!
Take care,
Sheri & Owen
Hi Anthony, it’s lovely to hear from you and to see you looking so ….hmmm, smart? Not as smart as when you are in your shuka though.I’m glad you’re enjoying the classes – everyone here envies you for getting this far. You are doing us so proud! Keep it up.
I went to the other group ranches that have taken on the model of Eselenkei and I hope that your lion conservation work can be extended to the Mara where lions are still being poisoned. Good luck with your studies, we can’t wait to hear more and to have you back eventually. Please consider joining the Society for Conservation Biology and present your work at the next annual meeting which will be in Edmonton Canada.
Thank you for the update, Anthony! We recently visited your home country and can understand why you are thinking of it so fondly. Please continue to send updates. We are all thinking of you!
Kevin & Merrin – Orlando, FL, USA
So glad you sent pictures! You look quite the intellectual student!!! I know it’s not always easy, but keep up the good work. Keeping you in my prayers,
Hashi