University of Rhode Island

Emma Hughes: Summer in South Africa

This summer I had the unbelievable opportunity to travel with a University of Rhode Island faculty lead program to study field methods in shark research in South Africa. URI professor of biological sciences Dr. Bradley Wetherbee and biological and environmental sciences graduate student Colby Kresge led the program.

We got started by spending a few days in Rhode Island, getting to know one another, attending lectures regarding fishing methods and morphometric data collection, and getting out on the boat in our waters to collect morphometrics and tag shortfin mako sharks.

At the conclusion of our work in Rhode Island, it was finally time to start our journey to South Africa. After a fair amount of travel, we arrived in Port Elizabeth, SA, and the adventure truly commenced. A short drive to the coast took us to our accommodation for the first night of the trip. The grounds provided me with my first look over a dramatic coastline to the Indian Ocean which a beautiful early morning hike the following morning really allowed us to explore.

 

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The next leg of the trip took us to Rhodes University for a tour of the campus from a professor of life sciences. We were also able to look at their preserved Coelacanths while learning about the research they participated in regarding the large fish off the South African coast. We then took to the road again and headed to the Schotia Game Reserve to experience some of the terrestrial wildlife that inhabit Nanaga, SA. We piled into the truck and eagerly observed many species, including herds of elephants, lions, zebras, wildebeests, and many others. As the sun started to set on another day we made our way to the main camp on the reserve to participate in a group dinner which was followed by another round of safari to try to spot some of the nocturnal species that make their home in the reserve.

 

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After one more safari in the early morning which got us a look at giraffes, a hippopotamus, cape buffalo, and many others we headed off on the road again to explore the unique mountainous terrain that Tsitsikamma, SA offers. I and some of the other students were even able to explore some of the trails that surrounded the small town where the accommodations were located.


 

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We set off the next morning on our way to our final destination of the trip, taking a stop in Plettenberg Bay, SA to visit Monkeyland. Here we were able to walk through a free-roaming, multi-species primate sanctuary. Closely observing and experiencing the unique personalities and looks of countless species of monkeys and their relatives before we hit the road one last time. After a quick detour to watch the sunset over an amazing coastal lookout, we reached Mossel Bay, SA where we would be spending the remainder of the trip. We arrived at the accommodations and got to know the interns and biologists at Oceans Research with whom we would be collaborating.


 

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While the highlight for me of being out on the Indian Ocean was handling these beautiful species of sharks. We were also able to see so many other unique and natural wonders. Southern right whale calves and mother pairs made appearances so close to our boat every day we were out there. Additionally, we were able to observe Seal Island. Located about three miles offshore, this 5-acre island is home to thousands of cape fur seals. Among so many others, we were able to take in the unique shoreline we were surrounded by, with mountain terrain in one direction and the beautiful cliffs and hills that make up Mossel Bay in the other.

 

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I am grateful for every aspect of growth that I have experienced through my participation in this program, not only in the field of study I am so passionate about, but as a person. I also had the pleasure of meeting and working with an incredible group of like-minded students from our university. Together, we were able to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of another culture and broaden our horizons as individuals and as students. I am tremendously appreciative to all of those who made this trip possible, from our University, Oceans Research, and everyone else who took the time to meet us along the way.
 

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