By Lilian Frank from Bowdoin College


Our recent Khwai adventure was blessed with the presence of Professor Lance Newman of Westminster University. Our cohort was so thankful to have Lance around for 3 days of our trip, during which he taught skills to orient ourselves in this new environment. He encouraged us to write and reflect as much as we research and monitor. The ideas that he brought to our culture-shocked crew have allowed us to grow much closer in the time since his departure. Overall, the group would like to thank Lance for the time and the lessons he gave and look forward to seeing him in the future. I personally hope to bump into him on a river very soon. 

One of the potent questions given to the group was to reflect on an experience with an animal that made us stop in our tracks. I thought it would be prudent to include my response to show the kinds of reflections he had us thinking about.

When asked to reflect on profound encounters with animals in story books; I am struggling to solidify a single feeling that compliments the encounter of a particular one. The two feelings I am finding that might encompass the experience is wonder that is backed heartly by joy. Both are emotions that in my life, as of late, I have been blessed to have in great abundance. However, I would say that abundance has come with a shift in mindset. 

I have recently learned the value of observing. Observing has proven to be more than noticing what is around me, it gives my brain the space to think. 


What I first experienced while searching the sea for ice, I now experience scouring the mixed Mopane. My eyes focus on elephants but my mind drifts with wonder to bigger thoughts and questions that life in an overstimulated society gives little room for. The craving for this space, I hope, will drive me to create it. 

Fig. 1 Mixed Mopane trees fill the landscape beneath a dusty blue sky.

Fig 2. The matriarch teaches the parade’s new babies how to cool down in the afternoon heat.

We are learning about the sublime. 

We are experiencing awe. 

And therefore, witnessing the sublime

Fig 3. Mother and son fan their ears to combat flies and heat.

As we’re learning more about community based natural resource management (CBNRM) and conservation biology, we are also having conversations that broach the issues that come from emotional environmental science writing. A common theme throughout the history of science communication is that emotion has no place. But in this modern world where there is so much science communication of varying accuracy and effectiveness, we are discussing the importance of making literature accessible and even entertaining. The importance of effective science communication is growing ever more necessary in a world on fire. These conversations have allowed for self-reflection and have shown us the opportunities of growth that come with managing our biases within research and writing. 

This first part of our trip has allowed us to dip our toes into a much bigger world of conservation than previous experiences in the States has. Witnessing the efforts of CBNRM in different communities is getting us to ask questions about how land is treated and conserved back home. 

Sweaty, slightly dehydrated, and filled with excitement for what is to come, we head back out into the field tomorrow seemingly more ready to take on whatever this way comes. 

Love you dearly mum.