Paleo-Primate Project Gorongosa Newsletter - July 2020

Paleo-Primate Project Gorongosa Newsletter - July 2020

Welcome to the July 2020 edition of our monthly newsletter for the Paleo-Primate Project Gorongosa. We hope that you are all okay and keeping well. Please have a read of the updates and causes for celebration from the past month and do get in touch and share any news and progress of your own, academic or otherwise - as always, we would love to hear from you and spread some much welcome positivity!

News and Updates
Gorongosa National Park celebrates its 60th anniversary
Looking back at the history of Gorongosa National Park, still image from the 60th anniversary video

On 23rd July, Gorongosa National Park celebrated its 60th anniversary as a national park. To commemorate the occasion, the Gorongosa Restoration Project and its partners announced plans to build 60 new primary schools in the surrounding communities over the coming decade. They also released a beautiful and inspiring 60th anniversary video and Dominique Gonçalves published a moving commentary piece with Mongabay.

Image: Looking back at the history of Gorongosa National Park, still image from the 60th anniversary video

Commemorating World Ranger Day - 31st July
Commemorating World Ranger Day 2020 - Black and White images of five of the rangers from Gorongosa National Park - photos by Brett Kuxhsusen shared by Gorongosa National Park

On 31st July we celebrate World Ranger Day and the dedicated and inspiring rangers of Gorongosa National Park who work on the frontline protecting the environment from threats such as illegal logging and wildlife trade, alongside supporting us in our research and sharing valuable knowledge and insight. A few of us are working on better acknowledging the rangers we work with through online ranger profiles - more on this to follow!

Image: Images of five of the rangers from GNP - photos by Brett Kuxhsusen shared by Gorongosa National Park

Congratulations to Jacinto on the defence of his Master's thesis
Jacinto during his virtual defence, watched by supporters and examiners - photo from Katarina Almeida Warren

We are delighted to share the news that Jacinto Mathe has completed his thesis defence for his MSc in Forensic Anthropology at the University of Coimbra, passing with excellent feedback from the committee. Next step, the University of Oxford for his DPhil in Anthropology under the supervision of Susana - we are very excited to welcome you to the Lab group, Jacinto!

Image: Jacinto during his virtual defence, watched by supporters and examiners - photo from Katarina Almeida Warren

Thomas awarded a SYNTHESYS Transnational Access grant
Dr Thomas Püschel pictured alongside fossils at at the Nairobi National Museum in Kenya, where he studied comparative collections and scanned material for comparison

Many congratulations to Dr Thomas Püschel for his award of a SYNTHESYS Transnational Access grant for data collection at the Royal Museum for Central Africa, located just outside of Brussels in Belgium and known as the Africa Museum. The grant will help support the collection of further comparative data linked to Thomas' work with the PPPG.

Image: Thomas pictured at the Nairobi National Museum in Kenya, where he studied comparative fossil collections

Finishing touches to the new Paleo-Primate building
One of the storage units which has been acquired for the new PPPG building - photo from Jason Denlinger

Over in Chitengo, the PPPG building is really starting to take shape. Storage cabinets, shelving, wooden boxes, and crates have arrived and been assembled ready to accommodate fossils and supplies in the paleo collection room. More cabinets are on their way, as is furniture for the classroom and workroom. A big thank you to Jason for taking care of this! We look forward to continuing the fossil curation when we can safely return.

Image: One of the storage units which has been acquired for the new PPPG building - photo from Jason Denlinger

...Followed by the inauguration of the Paleo-Primate building
Logo of the ANAC - the National Administration of Conservation Areas in Mozambique

In commemoration of World Ranger Day, Ivete Joaquim Maibaze (Mozambique's Minister of Land and Environment) and Mateus Mutemba (Director General of the National Administration of Conservation Areas) will be visiting the Park, and whilst there, on 2nd August will be officially inaugurating the new offices and accommodation for Conservation as well as the Paleo-Primate Lab.

Image: Logo of the ANAC - the National Administration of Conservation Areas in Mozambique

Gorongosa Coffee launches new travel tumblers
Three MiiR travel tumblers, featuring the text 'ELEPHANTS NEVER FORGET', 'GIRLS RUN THE WORLD', and 'SPEAK FOR THE TREES'

As well as continuing to satisfy our coffee cravings, Gorongosa Coffee is releasing all new travel tumblers, manufactured by MiiR. The tumblers will be available to buy on their own or in a bundle with their matching coffee blend. Look out for the new releases on the Gorongosa Coffee website soon.

Image: New MiiR travel tumblers, for keeping your favourite coffee blend warm (or ice-cold!)

Website
To notify us of anything you would like to be included in the next newsletter, please email Megan at megan.beardmore-herd@anthro.ox.ac.uk.