A National Geographic Channel team of experts, including biologists, behavioral scientists, engineers, wildlife experts, and modelers, all joined forces to produce an incredibly life-like hippo decoy. A decoy that I would crawl inside and approach wild hippos in the country of Zambia, trying to get close enough t get that elusive sweat sample. It seemed like I spent more time inside that hippo suit than I did outside while in Zambia. At times I would spend over six hours at a time in costume, definitely not a picnic. It was stifling hot inside. I had very limited vision, so I was never really sure what was going on around me.

I had to be very quiet and tried to remain calm while inside the hippo decoy, not always easy when surrounded by dangerous animals. I had close encounters with elephants, hyena, lions, crocodiles, and of course hippos. Much of my work took place at night in total darkness, which only heightened my stress level. My experiences inside the hippo decoy were incredibly rewarding as a scientist, yet at times also extremely scary.

It was exhilarating to be a part of nature, literally another animal on the savanna, observing natural behavior in these magnificent creatures. It is almost impossible for me to convey in words what it felt like to hear the high screamed yelps of hyenas all around me late at night moving in for the kill ( i was to be the kill), to feel the ground beneath my feet literally tremble as an angry elephant ran towards me, or experience the sights and sounds of an agitated 3 ton hippo as it lumbered ever closer to me. There are lots of scientists out there that study these animals, yet very few that actually get to experience what it feels like to be a "part" of nature, a element in the grand ecosystem in which they study. I did and am truly thankful, and have greasy old hippo sweat to thank for all of it!