Women In Science Series
Searching The Jungle For Tropical Animals

Ground Truthing Tropical Animals: Biology Before Biotech

By Rick Gregory

In the biotech era where most new scientific discoveries are made in the laboratory, people forget that science boils down to the basics. And the basics are usually found in the field.

Before filling beakers and burning test tubes to decipher nature's coded messages, scientists still need to scour swamps and rummage through forests and other ecosystems to find species.

Without captured tropical animals, there are no samples for the lab. Without samples, there are no discoveries.

"I try to answer the basic questions like what is there and how many?" says Dr. Norhayati Ahmad, a conservation biologist at the National University of Malaysia. "Basic questions are still important because species diversity of herpetofauna [reptiles and amphibians] is very high in Malaysia, which is ranked 16th in the world for amphibians."

With nearly 200 species of amphibians alone, Malaysia is a biological bonanza.

Dr. Norhayati's research covers a lot of ground in order to find these biological samples that are scattered throughout the peninsula. Her projects compare the diversity and abundance of amphibians in selectively logged forests and adjacent primary forests to determine the effects of different logging regimes on a part of the biological community.

Her workload includes assessing biodiversity in Kedah and Tasik Chini, the ecotourism potential in Pahang and other scientific studies with tropical animals in Langkawi, Krau Wildlife Reserve, Endau-Rompin, among others.

"We are still encountering new species now and then," says Norhayati. "So, it's still a dynamic science."

Many budding scientists prefer the order - and cleanliness - of the lab versus the chaos of fieldwork. But for field biologists, getting out of the building is incentive enough. "Going out into the forest is an inspiring and refreshing experience," says Norhayati. "Some people don't understand our work or the things we have to do to get to these tropical animals."

The rainforests are full of specimens, but they don't advertise themselves except during the mating season. Despite the risks of working in jungle habitats, Dr. Norhayati believes that tropical species are high value economic resources with potential benefits for human welfare. And if we lose sight of that, she notes, then there is no way of stopping the irreversible animal extinction of many rainforest species.

What makes someone decide to muck it up with frogs on their turf? For Norhayati, it was an opportunity to work with Dr. Lim Boo Liat, of Perhilitan, in Kedah when she was a graduate student.

"He introduced me to the world of frogs, toads and snakes," she recalls, "and I've never looked back since." She now sees herself as a "budding scientist," who has a long way to go. And with so few people working in the region she feels it’s important to collaborate with those who share the same passion.

For example, her team will be working with Dr. Lee Grismer of La Sierra University in California on new projects to further the knowledge base of herpetofauna in Malaysia.

Most of the senior scientists involved in amphibian and reptilian research in the country are men. But the upcoming researchers include quite a number of young and dynamic women.

"Being a woman in this supposedly 'man-dominated' field should not hinder or suppress your interest or ambition," advises Norhayati. "It is the process of learning that matters. You must build up contacts with people who are helpful, build your own reputation and, most of all, be professional when things go a little sour."

As a female biologist collecting tropical animals in the field, she does encounter some 'special treatment,' but more out of a concern for her safety in the jungle. Though prejudice against women may still exist, especially when considering the job requires prolonged hours away from home, she keeps a positive perspective.

"If you are convincing enough, have got what it takes, love the job even if it means sacrificing time from the family, then employers wouldn't be able to resist you."

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