You swat your field notebook as a light buzzing sound swarms around your head. Water droplets shake off a large palm leaf. Small green and black frogs hop around the substrate surrounding rubber boots. The air is thick and humid. A crashing sound echoes above in the canopy. You raise your binoculars to capture a glimpse of black mantled howler monkeys. Welcome to the jungle. Welcome to the field.
A black mantled howler monkey in the canopy of Costa Rica. Photo by Kaelyn Dobson.
Though not all primatologists work in the field, the field is often considered to be a hallmark characteristic of primatology. Field research on wild primates is one avenue in which you can find primatologists; they can also be found in zoological organizations, biomedical testing facilities, sanctuaries, academia, museums, and other primate focused facilities. Researching in the field is not for everyone and requires certain skills, attitudes, and perspectives. This is why field schools are crucial to discovering if field work is right for you.
There are two aspects of field work that come into play when focusing on the study on wild primates: working in the field and living in the field. These two parts of field work depend on the location where you are researching, the primates you focus on and the facilities you have access to. A field school provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the wild primates through an educational program where learning curves are expected.
Working in the field can be the exciting part of a field school. It may be the first time you have ever seen a primate in the wild and there is a certain adventure vibe to the whole experience. New skills are taught in the field to be able to identify, follow, study and learn about these amazing animals. The terrain may be tough and novel to you. The conditions may not always be optimal (rain, mud, insects, snakes, ravines, rivers, etc.) but it can be truly exciting.
A trail at a field station in Costa Rica. Photo by Kaelyn Dobson.
Living in the field is a creature all unto itself. Depending on the location where you are based there can be limited shelter, water, food, electricity, cell service and socialization. Many formal field schools attempt to ease some of these challenges and provide a more baseline facility with amenities. Life outside of the primate habitat at your home base can be challenging though, particularly for the first time.
Living on a Costa Rican field site. Photo by Kaelyn Dobson.
Field schools provide the chance for students and other learners wanting to dip their toes into field work a safe place to do so. The field schools are designed to provide information and experiences that cannot be replicated in a regular classroom, lab or captive facility. Field schools are often the path to primatology (and other fields).
When attending a field school, the goal should be to absorb as much knowledge as you can during the entire experience. It is crucial that students garner whether or not the field is the place for them. A field school is a safe space to do so (do not try to determine if the field is for you as a hired technician). The field school may be right up your alley and the wild places where primates live could be your happy place – or not. That is why going to a field school is an important step for people thinking of joining primatology.
A lagoon at a Costa Rican site. Photo by Kaelyn Dobson.
If you plan on attending a field school, remember that you are new to this and it is okay for it to be hard. Ask for help. Work together with the people who are with you for you to get the most out of the course. Remember to take a deep breath. Take in the view. This could be the first step in your career, field or not. Either way it is an amazing experience.
Welcome to the field.
Kaelyn Dobson is a 5th year PhD Candidate at Texas State University. Though her dissertation research focuses on the impacts of captivity on the gut microbiome of squirrel monkeys, her true passion is field work. Kaelyn has completed field work in Panama, Costa Rica, Peru, Swaziland, South Africa and Mozambique. She participated in a field school in her undergraduate degree and now has come full circle to teaching field schools in Costa Rica.
Kaelyn with one of her favorite horses in Costa Rica.
Please follow Kaelyn on X (@KaelynDobson) or Bluesky (@kaelyndobson.bsky.social).
If you are interested in educational tours, experiences and field schools in Costa Rica please follow Camaquiri Conservation Initiative on Facebook and X ( @camaquiri).
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