PNGIBR

Author: cmeadminuser

  • PNGIBR’s Miriam Supuma Interviewed

    PNGIBR’s Miriam Supuma Interviewed

    PNGIBR Co-Director and Co-Founder Miriam Supuma was interviewd by about the Birds of the Gods, the PBS Nature Series program broadcast on PBS January 23, 2011 in the USA.Read Miriam’s Interview on the PBS website.

  • With great sadness…

    With great sadness…

    It is with great sadness that we must announce that Paul Igag, a founding member of PNGIBR passed away on October 29, 2010.
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    Paul was PNG’s first national ornithologist. He was one of the first scientific staff at the young Research and Conservation Foundation of PNG, then became one of the first scientific staff at the Wildlife Conservation Society PNG Program, then became a founder of the PNG Institute of Biological Research. Paul was a leader in PNG’s movement toward greater scientific autonomy.

    Dozens of students and his coworkers affectionately called him “Uncle Paul.” Paul was indeed a cheerful and supportive uncle to many biologists and students for nearly two decades. Science in PNG and the many colleagues and collaborators who Paul supported now face a tragic loss.

    Our deepest sympathies to Paul’s loved ones. We will miss him.

    Visit the online memorial to learn more and to contribute your thoughts and photos to celebrate Paul’s life.

  • BBC Documentary

    BBC Documentary

    BBC just launched a new documentary in January 2010 featuring Miriam Supuma and Paul Igag from PNGIBR!
    [custom_frame_right]PNGIBR Staffer Mimi during filiming of BBC Documentary[/custom_frame_right]
    Natural World 2009-2010 Part 8:  Birds of Paradise, narrated by David Attenborough

    Here are some  links and  documentary review excerpts highlighting Mimi and Paul:

    Last Night’s TV – Natural World: Birds of Paradise

    [custom_frame_right]Bird of Paradise[/custom_frame_right]

    “However, much of last night’s show was dedicated to the remarkable work of Miriam and Paul, conservationists devoted to researching the birds. They choreographed much of last night’s show, and their tireless devotion to researching the devastating effects of killing these birds for their plumage is invaluable work.

    They tirelessly spend much of their lives crouched in hides, watching the birds and recording their activities in order to prove how valuable they are in nature’s terms, and thereby protect them also.”

    TIMES ONLINE: Natural World (Jan 7, 2010)

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    “We followed Miriam and Paul, two conservationists researching how killing birds of paradise for feathers for ceremonial headdress was endangering rare species. That was all very serious, but the focus was on the birds themselves and particularly the male birds, as they pranced and displayed themselves to catch the attention of drab females.

    Miriam was passionate about the birds: it was a job that required ineffable patience but nothing beat waking up to birdsong, she said, even if you spent days in silent hope in a hide. Paul found the “superb bird” that did the most amazing thing with a blue “cape” that sprouted behind its head, which was merely the accessory to a Carmen-like flamenco he did for his female. What we thought were the bird’s eyes were feathers reflecting the light. Finally came the “blue bird” that hung upside down, fanned out its plumage, and jiggled obscenely. “One can only sympathise. The males try their best. The rest is up the females. It was ever thus,” concluded Attenborough mordantly, indeed deliciously.”

  • Katayo Sagata and Muse Opiang have each been awarded scholarships to pursue PhD degrees in Australia

    Katayo Sagata and Muse Opiang have each been awarded scholarships to pursue PhD degrees in Australia

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    Katayo has been awarded a LaTrobe University Powwwraduate Full Fee Research Scholarship.  He will begin his PhD studies at LaTrobe in Melbourne, Australia in June 2010.   Mr. Sagata’s PhD research topic will examine the potential impact of climate change on honeydew production and utilization in acacia woodlands.  He will continue as a member of PNGIBR whilst on his PhD studies and will participate as an instructor on student training courses.  Congratulations Katayo!

     

    [custom_frame_right]Muse Opiang[/custom_frame_right]Muse has been awarded an Australian Endeavour International Powwwraduate Research Scholarship. His PhD dissertation at the University of Tasmania will continue his work on the Long-Beaked Echidna, with trips back to PNG for fieldwork and to mentor a PNGIBR Honors student working on his project.   Mr. Opiang leaves to take up his studies in March 2010 and will continue as a member of PNGIBR, participating as an instructor on student training courses.   Congratulations Muse!

  • News from 2009

    News from 2009

    [custom_frame_right]Samosa Asigau[/custom_frame_right]

    In 2009 Samoa Asigau and Junior Novera were awarded scholarships to pursue Masters degrees overseas

    Ms. Samoa Asigau, a PNGIBR Honours student, was offered two prestigious scholarships– a Fulbright Scholarship and a United States South Pacific Scholarship (USSP) offered by the East-West Centre in Hawaii.  She chose the USSP scholarship and left for her studies in Tropical Biology at the University of Missouri in August 2009.  Congratulations Samoa!

     

    Mr. Junior Novera, a PNGIBR Honors student, was awarded a UK Chevening Scholarship from the British High Commission funded [custom_frame_right]Junior Novera[/custom_frame_right]by Steamships Hardware to attend Lancaster University for a Masters degree.  He left for studies in September 2009.  Congratulations Junior!

    See Edna Sivarai Newsletter to learn more.

    See Swire News Eco-Warrior article to learn more.

    Muse Opiang’s Study of Long-Beaked Echidnas Featured

    In June 2009 Muse Opiang’s study of Long-Beaked Echidnas in the wild was featured as the cover article of the Journal of Mammalogy and in a New York Times article.

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    See Muse’s Journal of Mammalogy article: Home Ranges, Movement, and Den Use in Long-Beaked Echidnas, Zaglossus bartoni, from Papua New Guinea.

    And check out the following links for the resulting publicity:

    BBC Biodiversity Study

    In early 2009,  Muse Opiang of PNGIBR aided the BBC in a biodiversity survey that discovered species new to science including a giant rat!

    The BBC documentary made from this adventure is entitled “Lost Land of the Volcano” and aired in September 2009.  For more information see these links:[custom_frame_right]PNG Rat[/custom_frame_right]