Dr Nancy Priston

I’ve arrived in Bau Bau, the capital of Buton island. It’s name means ‘smell smell’ which nowadays you’d be forgiven for thinking was a reference to the open sewers running through the streets but is in fact a reference to it’s old reputation as a spice port – particularly cloves. Buton doesn’t export many spices nowadays – the main exports are now cashewnuts, oranges, some cocoa and the biggest one of all – asphalt! Ironic given the state of the road here! Buton sits on a series of natural, large asphalt seams. Worryingly now that most of the easy to reach seams have been mined focus is turning to the remainder – which lie within the lambusango wildlife reserve, where my research takes place. There’s also been recent exploration by Japanese companies for nickel mining, crude oil and natural gas extraction in the reserve – so worrying times ahead!

I’m now about to head off to the village of La Bundo Bundo which is where I’m based for my field season, right next to the Lambusango Wildlife Reserve. I don’t know if I’ll have a good enough signal to continue posting updates but hopefully I will from time to time. So it’s off to see the monkeys now! Can’t wait! 🙂