I do this because I love science. It is the great equalizer. Once you understand the tools, anyone can do it, even you! I’ve met scientists from all kinds of backgrounds from everywhere you can think of, maybe you’ll join us one day.
And speaking of science, I should get back to our current project. Dead elephants. But… not just dead elephants of course. In this expedition, we’re going to learn about what happens to the matter inside an elephant as it dies and decomposes. This work takes place in Kruger National Park, which is about the same size as New Jersey or twice the size of Yellowstone! It’s VERY big and it’s full of elephants, lions, rhinos, giraffes, hippos and so much more. And that’s where I work! And that’s where we’re going together!
We’re going to learn a bit about the spheres of the Earth, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. We’re also going to learn a bit about nutrient cycling and the movement of matter. We’ll explore plant growth and animal behavior. We’ll look at hyenas and vultures and elephants and soil microorganisms. We’ll pick up some massive femurs and skulls and look at soil respiration, impala herds and elephant dung. It’s going to be fascinating, and I can’t wait to share it with you!
