Honduran rainforest expeditions

The biology department at King's College in Taunton organised two separate expeditions to the Honduran rainforests during the summer holidays. The aim of the trips was to contribute to the scientific research going on in the region, collecting vital data for future rainforest conservation.

The first group was headed by Head of Biology Jim Scott, with two other full-time members of staff, Clare Flood and Imogen Hobday. Along with 16 sixth form pupils, they arrived at a coastal research centre at the bottom of the rainforest, before trekking up into deep cloud-forest.

"Outstanding scientific work and an incredible variety of wildlife including some of the most poisonous snakes known to man were the abiding memories of that first week," said Jim Scott. "After that it was something of a relief to spend the second week on a conservation island off the coast!"

Here the group learnt to dive and study reef ecology, with most gaining their first PADI diving qualification.

The second expedition, led by Head of Science at King's Dr Roger Poland, took in two deep forest camps, at 1600m and at 1850m in Cusuco National Park. After the three-hour journey by four-wheel drive, accommodation was in hammocks and tents. Sixth former Andrew Burden's highlight was his encounter in the middle of the night with a scorpion in his tent. He coolly cut it in half with his knife, before retiring to the research hut for the rest of the night.

"It was the most fantastic experience," said Dr Poland , "with some breathtaking scientific research going on. Conditions though were far harder than we had expected - just one week was exhausting! But the behaviour and enthusiasm of both groups was outstanding, and a great credit to the school".