Boelens Python Research
Donation protected
My name is Ari R. Flagle . I have been fascinated with reptiles from an early age. My passion for field studies has led me to pursue a professional carrier in herpetology. I have been energetically involved in studying a rare species of snake only found on the Island of New Guinea since the late 90's. This unique snake is called the Boelen’s python ,or by its Latin name, Simalia boeleni . I have traveled the globe giving presentations, writing numerous articles on the subject, and shared jaw dropping accounts of my adventures in West Papua New Guinea while searching for these animals.
Few people have been able to observe these elusive animals in their natural habitat. The primitive, nearly impenetrable forest and wary indigenous people try to keep these animals protected from outsiders. In my travels since 2006, I have formed lifelong relationships with the people living on these mountains. Through my presentations, lectures, and written work I share my ideas and thoughts on captive and wild conservation of these unique snakes and bring positive awareness to the dire situation they find themselves in. I return multiple times a year and I am shocked each time with how the environment and people change. Recently, gold, oil, and precious stones have been found in their habitat. I fear that it won’t be long before the mountain that once kept these creatures safe is devastated and these animals will disappear into the clouds that they have hidden behind for millennia. My long term goal is to establish an area that will be protected from mining and over collecting, thus allowing populations of these fascinating and mysterious snakes to survive for future generations to enjoy. in the mean time there is much work and exciting data that can be collected.
Traveling to this remote part of the world is both time consuming and costly. I have been fortunate enough to receive assistance from several renowned companies and generous individuals, including S&S Exotics, Todd Goodman of Timberline Live Foods, Robyn Markland and Chad Brown of The Reptile Report and Ship Your Reptiles, Russ Gurley, Even Wexler, Fredrick Averback, Kasper Fonogar, Linda Switzer, Kieth McPeek, Spyder Robotics, Weather Hawk, LightYourReptiles.com, Zilla reptile products, Cuscus backpacks, and numerous others.This money goes quickly. I am asking, in this GO FUND ME campaign, for assistance to continue my research. All funds I receive go towards travel, field equipment, and to help the local tribes that assist in my work.
Thank you for your generosity and for considering my project!
www.ularhitam.com
Few people have been able to observe these elusive animals in their natural habitat. The primitive, nearly impenetrable forest and wary indigenous people try to keep these animals protected from outsiders. In my travels since 2006, I have formed lifelong relationships with the people living on these mountains. Through my presentations, lectures, and written work I share my ideas and thoughts on captive and wild conservation of these unique snakes and bring positive awareness to the dire situation they find themselves in. I return multiple times a year and I am shocked each time with how the environment and people change. Recently, gold, oil, and precious stones have been found in their habitat. I fear that it won’t be long before the mountain that once kept these creatures safe is devastated and these animals will disappear into the clouds that they have hidden behind for millennia. My long term goal is to establish an area that will be protected from mining and over collecting, thus allowing populations of these fascinating and mysterious snakes to survive for future generations to enjoy. in the mean time there is much work and exciting data that can be collected.
Traveling to this remote part of the world is both time consuming and costly. I have been fortunate enough to receive assistance from several renowned companies and generous individuals, including S&S Exotics, Todd Goodman of Timberline Live Foods, Robyn Markland and Chad Brown of The Reptile Report and Ship Your Reptiles, Russ Gurley, Even Wexler, Fredrick Averback, Kasper Fonogar, Linda Switzer, Kieth McPeek, Spyder Robotics, Weather Hawk, LightYourReptiles.com, Zilla reptile products, Cuscus backpacks, and numerous others.This money goes quickly. I am asking, in this GO FUND ME campaign, for assistance to continue my research. All funds I receive go towards travel, field equipment, and to help the local tribes that assist in my work.
Thank you for your generosity and for considering my project!
www.ularhitam.com
Organizer
Ari Flagle
Organizer
Arlington, TX