Where in the world are the Jaguars?...

Update from 10.29.09:

We didn’t plan to be in Monterrey tonight but we had map trouble and many helpful people tried to help us find our way. Tomorrow is a new day and we kind of hope to be close to Tampico on the Gulf coast.

We had several good chats with friendly people. One family wanted to have the WILD9 web site. A friendly man named Sylvester asked us to say hello to Presidente Calderon.

Wonderful people, really wonderful tamales, and the mountains to the south are spectacular. We had no idea they would be so great. We learned today about the bears in these mountains and local efforts to protect them.

Mexico! We’re loving it.

Updated maps to come……

Give a toast – they’ve made it to the ...

All the Federales say they could have had us any day.

They only let us slip away, out of kindness I suppose.

Words from Poncho and Lefty sang by Willie Nelson rattle around in my head constantly. No Federale problem on this trip. Smiling women and men at the border basically waved us through after helping us with the map. They didn’t ask for passports or anything to get into Mexico. May be harder coming back across.

On to Veracruz today and decide whether to swing up to Campeche or down to Chiapas for the next couple of days.

We found a hotel last night with internet access (it’s also the bus station, so very noisy) but no cell service. Connections are slow, weak.

Give a toast!! We made it to the Gulf Coast. We’ve traveled about 1300 miles out of Albuquerque already. Good miles. Every one of them.

Nomkhubulwane Unvieled...

We finally unwrap NOMKHUBULWANE and we met her, really she is beautiful, was worth the wait, is a pleasant surprise that causes the admiration who sees.

Tomorrow morning starts the journey, we leave Altamira at 9 o’clock course to Veracruz, I am going to try to get some scales on the road to share this wonderful experience.

WILD9 Wilderness Management Training & Wilder...

The youth program participants began their three day trek in the Sian Kan wilderness, under the guidance of Outward Bound Mexico and Kat Haber (WILD’s Board of Directors).

In Merida, Yucatan, professional practitioners and leaders from 15 nations working in areas as diverse as Antarctica, the Southern Amazon, Canada, Romania, Kenya — including 5 indigenous communities – began their three day Wilderness management training, interacting with trainers from the US Forest Service and the Wilderness Action Group (South Africa).

Body Painting – The Ancient Art Applied to ...

Beginning in the most ancient prehistory, body adornment (clay, paints, shells) have been used on the human body for ritual, beauty, apparel, social distinction and other reasons. It is truly the oldest form of art. WILD9 now brings the ancient to the contemporary. Artists, models and photographers will create a gallery masterpiece at WILD9 on the evening of 12 November, in a special cultural experiment at an historic hacienda, using body art to communicate the feeling, importance and the goals of conserving wild nature.

A few of the renowned artists are Carmen Parra, Fernando González Gortázar and María Sada from Mexico, Emma Hack from Australia, and others. Several highly recognized photographers will document the process, including Urquiza (Mexico), Tom Manglesen, and Jack Dykinga (US), and some of their prints will be auctioned to raise funding for WILD9. Some of the artists and models gathered recently in Mexico City to prepare their techniques and ideas…view.

A Jaguar Poem...

They came from the Tatshenshini, the Mighty Yukon, Up Elk Creek and Leeds.

Those Jaguars headed to Merida with the news Mounted on four iron steeds.

They had an early morning crossing at Del Rio And scorched in the noonday sun As they traced mechanical problems To make that Kawasaki run

The No-tell Motel in Monterrey

Was the only place the Jaguars had to stay But tamales by the dozen Were only a few steps away.

The folks back home heard they hit Tampico And they all gave a toast But those Jaguars quickly turned south As their minds raced along the coast.

Nomkhubulwane Clears Customs...

Finally, and after a long day of formalities and maneuvers she was liberated by the Mexican customs office, the day was not good for pictures, bad weather and arrived late in to the carrier yard not permitted to uncover her, still the expectation, please be patient tomorrow morning she will be deviled.

Jaguars in Del Rio...

Update from the riders, October 28th, “We are in Del Rio, TX, tonight, studying maps.  We will cross into Mexico tomorrow.”

Nomkhubulwane Arrives in Mexico...

Jaguars – 10.28.09...

When the Jaguars are not saving wild-lands worldwide, they’re on their bikes!  Here’s a shot of the Jaguars from Wednesday, on the road!

Celebration to the Jaguar...

Below is a letter, written in appreciation of  the WILD9 Jaguar project from the President of Aprendamos Juntos, A.C.

Dear Mr. Martin,

Aprendamos Juntos A.C. is a nonprofit organization that works with people with intellectual disabilities, fighting for their rights, respect and dignity, and their full inclusion in our society.

We feel very proud to have been invited to participate in the Jaguar project, knowing the impact the Wild9 Congress will have in our community and the world. (more…)

Update on the Jaguars...

The Ride of the Jaguars departed Albuquerque on Tuesday, Oct 27th, and spent the night in Roswell, New Mexico.  We hear they checked out the latest alien sightings prior to hitting the road early this morning!  Safe travels!

The Ride of “The Jaguars...

Four wilderness lovers and conservation professionals from England, Canada and the U.S. departed Albuquerque, New Mexico this afternoon, October 27, 2009, on a motorcycle odyssey to Merida, Mexico to attend WILD9, the 9th World Wilderness Congress, which runs from Nov. 6 – 13, 2009. (more…)

On the Road...

The Ride of the Jaguars – El Viaje de los Ja...

Here is a brief intro to the “Ride of the Jaguars” from Alan Watson….more to come….

Jim Tegler of Whitehorse, Yukon (a wilderness advocate and volunteer at WILD9) is flying in to Missoula tonight. He and I are loading up 4 motos tomorrow and heading to Albuquerque with my flatbed farm truck over the week-end and Monday.

Bill Overbaugh of BLM-Alaska is flying into Albuquerque as is Steve Carver of the University of Leeds, UK. A threatened species, the Jaguars have depleted in numbers from an original 9 to just these four. Wilderness Warriors, eager to learn about Mexico and the people there to put WILD9 into context.

Our route is roughly to cross the border at Del Rio, Texas on Wednesday and try to make Monclova. Then roughly to Tampico, Vercruz, Campeche and dip down into Chiapas to the Blue Mountains (Monte Azules Biosphere Reserve) before sprinting up to Merida. We hope to stop early each day to experience whatever communities we are in, and allow some time to enjoy the beaches.

We’ll settle more about our trip when we get together in Albuquerque, but we’re leaving plans a little open until we see road conditions, how available hotels and fuel are. We’ve checked it out a little, but we’re leaving lots to happen as it happens. Asi es la vida, “that’s life.” It’ll unfold to us as we live it.

Nomkhubulwane & the Global Herd...

Renowned South African artist Andries Botha has created a 9’ elephant matriarch, from recycled truck tires, to attract attention to the critical need to conserve wild spaces and catalyze conversations about artistic endeavors in support of that goal. Inspired by conversation with Dr. Ian Player, and made specifically for WILD9, she is named Nomkhubulwane after the Zulu goddess of rain, nature and fertility.

Nomkhubulwane is one of 12 elephants Botha has created as part of the Human Elephant Foundation to encourage creative projects and discussions about a sustainable relationship with the earth.

Once Nomkhubulwane leaves WILD9, she is available to tour in Mexico and the U.S. between December 2009 and January 2011. HEF is seeking host partner sites who can put her to good use to catalyze conversation and ecological commitment.

Interested in hosting a visit? Get the details here>

Please help support Nomkhubulwane’s North American tour – make a tax-deductible contribution to The WILD Foundation >