The Agami Herons have a new landing strip

Under a blazing sun, two GEPOG volunteers went by helicopter on the morning of 1st September in the direction of the “Agami pond”, with backpacks full of wasp spray.

The material leaving by helicopter, French Guiana, Emmanuel Girault

On arrival, hundreds of wasp nests on the landing platform and the floating shelter were destroyed just in time for the arrival of a GEPOG staff member, a third volunteer and a guard of the Marais de Kaw Nature Reserve. This helicopter carried a net full of equipment and 800kg of rot-proof wood attached to its underside, all of which was deposited on the savannah.

Renovation of the platform, French Guiana, Anna Stier

The objective of the next four days was to replace all the wooden parts of the helicopter landing platform, which since its installation in 2001 had been reduced to a few boards, eaten away by the tropical climate. This will enable the following missions to equip Agami Herons with Argos transmitters to take place in safety.

Inauguration of the platform, French Guiana, Anna Stier

At the same time, an inventory of the resources on site was possible, particularly to plan the renovation of the roof of the floating shelter for the next stay. The team also had the opportunity to observe the extent and fauna of the pond during the dry season, which had never been possible before.

The GEPOG team is grateful to the Larivot sawmill which donated the necessary green ebony wood for the platform, and to everyone who contributed to the success of these two busy weeks.

Anna Stier
Project leader
LIFE+ CAP DOM