Herpetological research in West Africa has historically been spatially and temporally patchy, leaving many areas understudied and local ecological knowledge underrepresented in scientific literature. In response, the GCC Lab and the University of Liberia have launched a collaborative initiative focused on strengthening practical field skills among undergraduate biology students. Through hands‑on training and mentorship, participants develop competencies in sampling methods, species identification, and field safety, while also contributing with their local knowledge and perspectives. The program emphasizes mutual learning and aims to support the development of future Liberian scientists equipped to lead conservation efforts in their own country.
Despite his previous experience with West African herpetofauna, Francisco was struck by the diversity of local beliefs and interactions with amphibians and reptiles. Some species are consumed as food, while others hold cultural significance as totems. One snake encountered during fieldwork, for instance, is locally believed to have neither head nor tail. This perception likely stems from its semi‑fossorial nature, as both ends of its body are rounded and similarly shaped, making it difficult to distinguish head from tail – an adaptation that helps it move both forward and backward underground. Interestingly, this harmless boa is also widely believed to be venomous.
“When Josiah – our community member guide – found the snake in an orchard, he promptly called us” Francisco recalls. “Believing it was very dangerous, he was surprised to see us handling it with our bare hands. Once we showed him that the snake was harmless and unlikely to bite, it became a valuable moment of shared learning, even though its constriction strength was quite noticeable.”
For Richelu Dennis, an undergraduate biology student at the University of Liberia, the experience was both formative and inspiring:
“The research in Sinoe was amazing and highly educational at every step. It taught me the importance of teamwork and time management in fieldwork. I gained practical skills in identifying and safely interacting with reptiles. Francisco was an exceptional teacher who emphasized strong scientific ethics and showed me how to locate and carefully handle different species – some fragile, like puddle frogs, and others potentially dangerous.”
Now preparing his final BSc project on reptile diversity at the University of Liberia’s Fendell campus, Richelu is already building on the skills gained during this collaboration. His enthusiasm highlights the initiative’s impact: fostering not only technical expertise, but also confidence and motivation among emerging scientists. By investing in local capacity and co‑creation of knowledge, this partnership is laying the groundwork for more inclusive and sustained biodiversity research in Liberia.