Culture Club's not the only thing fresh and chameleony

kthompson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:45:18 +0000

What? Another species?! I thought we were close to being done.

Thanks to Dr. Marshall for the photo

While traipsing through the Magombera forest in east Tanzania, Dr. Andy Marshall spotted a helpless little creature being eaten by a twig snake. With the courage and strength often associated with ecologists, Dr. Marshall rescued a new species of chameleon from the jaws of certain death. Well, actually he and his team startled the snake, causing it to drop the chameleon where Marshall's team then picked it up.
Dr. Marshall and his cohort Michele Menegon named the species Kinyongia magomberae (the Magombera chameleon). That's chameleon species number 161 for those keeping track at home.

When not stumbling on new creatures, Dr. Marshall works as a conservation researcher with the Environment Department at the University of York. His research is assessing the current state of the Magombera Forest. The forest is home to an incredibly high biodiversity but, as you might have guessed, that biodiversity is being threatened. It's currently unprotected and vulnerable to damage by illegal squatters from surrounding areas. As a part of his project, Dr. Marshall's team is attempting to educate the local population on sustainability for the forest.

Listen to Dr. Marshall tell it like it is (audio from U of York):

You can read more about Dr. Marshall, the Magombera chameleon, and the Magombera Forest on the University of York's website.

kthompson Tue, 11/24/2009 - 16:45

Dr. Andrew Marshall

Culture Club's not the only thing fresh and chameleony