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| The spectacular creature known as Macrovipera lebentina cypriensis, or Cyprus Blunt-Nosed Viper. One of the most misunderstood and hated denizens on the island. We encountered this largish specimen last May in the Pafos Forest while sampling for fishes in Cyprus' streams. |
I am preparing for a survey trip to Cyprus focusing on fishes, rivers, wetlands. Packing checklist in hand: Electrofisher, binocs, guides, notebooks, fry-nets, field forms. When Spring comes - we, the lucky few professional naturalists get prepared. We will be out there - what an exciting feeling. We'll explore. We'll try to do things that will both get research done and hopefully help conservation on the ground. I think its the best job in the world. My current project on the island is studying fishes as indicators of the ecological quality of rivers -a complicated concept that certainly touches on managing nature's waters. I've seen so much, learned so much; and hope I can share the wonder... Thank You Cyprus.