TO CATCH A CAIMAN

Studying caimans in the Amazon can help the species onservation - but you have to catch one first

- LOUIS GUILLOT

GLIDING DOWN THE TAMBOPATA River in the Peruvian Amazon, I understand the luxury of being on a boat at night in the jungle. The air is thick with 35°C heat and 99 per cent humidity. The constant breeze generated by our moving vessel offers much-needed respite from the sweltering conditions, while also keeping the relentless mosquitoes at bay.

Chris Ketola, head field research coordinator for conservation NGO Fauna Forever, is standing at the bow. Using a powerful torch, he is searching for caimans lurking in the dark waters. Caimans are mostly nocturnal, which is why we are out at night. Three species inhabit this region: the white, black and dwarf caiman (Caiman crocodilus, Melanosuchus niger and Paleosuchus trigonatus).

I am part of a crew of five and we are here to record any caiman we see and, where possible, catch them to gather crucial data such as body measurements. This will help us to learn more about caiman biology and assess population health, which will aid in the species' conservation.

After 20 minutes, a large shape drifting in the river's strong current comes into view. We quickly realise it's a huge tree, likely uprooted in a storm the previous night, and we are on a collision course with it. Instincts kick in and both Pipi, the boat driver, and Chris spring into action. Pipi, sitting at the back of the boat and unable to see ahead, depends entirely on Chris for prompts and accurate directions.

Meanwhile, Chris uses his torch to deliver a series of complex light signals that help Pipi with navigation. With calm precision, Pipi narrowly dodges the log. I let out a sigh of relief but everyone acts as if the near miss was simply part of the night’s routine. Moments later, the reflective eyes of a caiman catch in Chris’s torchlight - two glowing orange lights close together, just above the water’s surface. We alter our course, approaching slowly and quietly.