Congo Basin

What's in Your Backpack?

Richard Carroll
Managing Director, Congo Basin Program
"...I advise everyone who ventures into the Congo to travel light because you may need to outrun elephants from time to time."

We asked Richard what he packs in his backpack when he heads off for the Congo. Check out Richard’s essentials:

Richard's inventory:

• Compass

• Machete

• Ba'Aka ankle band: A medicinal bracelet that is thought to give its wearer
good luck

• Plastic bags for animal droppings: which I bring back to base camp
and dry and inspect to determine dietary habits

• Flea collars for ankles to avoid ticks

• Insect repellent

• Binoculars

• Camera: flash for photographing vegetation, not wildlife

• Rain coat

• Field guides

• Pruning shears

• Sardines for a protein snack

• Malaria medicine to self-treat

• Water: but I also drink from vines and streams

• Head lamp

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