Serra do Imeri

On 11/18/2003, already in possession of all the necessary licenses, the first scientific expedition of the sub-project “Vertebrate Biodiversity of Pantepui, AM” began to Serra do Imeri. In Manaus, most of the consumable materials for the expedition were purchased, such as alcohol and formaldehyde, and tickets were booked for the other researchers on the technical team and freight for field equipment, which continued by boat to Santa Isabel do Rio Black. The field manager accompanied the sub-project coordinator to São Gabriel da Cachoeira, where purchases of supplies and camping utensils such as stoves, pans, light tarps, machetes, axes, raincoats, etc. were made. From there, accompanied by a woodsman, they continued by boat to Santa Isabel do Rio Negro.

In Santa Isabel, the equipment stored by the field manager in June 2003 was in perfect condition and verification tests were carried out with the two voadeiras and their outboard engines. It took two days of exhaustive preparations to organize all the supplies and other field materials into numbered and inventoried containers and to select the support team, made up of five other bushmen and a cook. After the arrival of the other researchers, we continued in three voadeiras the third being rented, to the Marauiá River. The first stop was at the location known as Sítio do Zé Maria, just below the Bixu-açu waterfall, where the small mammal collection team made up of two researchers, two bushmen and the cook was based. The other two voadeiras continued up the river with four bushmen, a botanist, an ornithologist, the coordinator and the field manager. The latter was responsible for carrying out the electrical installation of the gasoline-powered generator, which ensured the recharging of batteries for research equipment such as GPSs and cameras. After two days climbing the Marauiá River, including crossing five waterfalls in which it was necessary to remove all the cargo, push the skiffs over the rocks, using plump logs under the hulls, replace the cargo and continue the journey, we arrived at Mission Salesian of Marauiá. 

There, information was collected with Father Norberto, which made us decide to follow the Pohoro and Xamatá streams to the Yanomami village of Xamatá, at the foot of Serra do Imeri, in the extreme northwest of our sub-project's collection area. The use of a chainsaw proved to be essential for cutting tree trunks across rivers that prevented the passage of flying boats.

Once in the village, the whole day was taken up by negotiations with the Yanomami, especially with Tuxaua Joaquim, to obtain authorization from the Indians to carry out research work as well as to be able to count on their invaluable help and knowledge of the region. The next day, we left for the mountains, guided by six Yanomami, including Tuxaua Joaquim, a great expert on the region and its fauna.

The camp was set up about a four-hour walk from the village, at an altitude of 750 meters, close to a small stream to provide water. The camp was set up with light tarps stretched between trees and secured with strings. The sleeping hammocks were affixed to supports fixed on the tarpaulins. A service table and a table for various materials were made from thin logs. The functions of each woodsman and the work shifts were defined. Each specialist was then able to carry out their work independently as the support infrastructure was in place. During the four days of fieldwork, two expeditions were made to explore the highest part of the mountain. In the first one we reached a cliff located at 1250m altitude. In the second, carried out by botanist Alberto Vicentini and field assistants, it reached 1600 m.

The Voadeiras, as well as all the field equipment (camping material, kitchen, fuel canisters, generator, chainsaw, etc.) were taken to São Gabriel da Cachoeira for storage in an IBAMA warehouse, until the next expedition. , scheduled for the beginning of 2004.