Jerome Pagès - butterfly collector in Pakistan

[wollastoni]

A small video (in French) about Jérome Pagès, a French collector who collects everyyear in Pakistan mountains.
He explains why Pakistan and how local police often protects him.

I had the chance to meet Jerome and see his collection in Rennes when I was 10 years old. He is among the persons who motivated me to become an entomologist.



Local police inquieries when we are hunting is a "classic" in developing countries... but I guess you must feel safer with them around you in Pakistan.

I remember having endured some military Indonesian "checkpoints" in West Papua and it was rather stressing to see my guide negotiating with the soldiers. In 99% of the cases, you won't have any issue with the right permits and some dollar banknotes. A good reason to recommend to always collect with local guides in such unstable/militarist countries.

[africaone]

with this address it will work better

[wollastoni]

Thank you, Thierry!

[wollastoni]

Thank you Jan for your interesting comments about Pakistan.
Several French collectors like Pagès, Charmeux are going there again and again, so I guess it is indeed not as dangerous as we imagine it.

Thank you also for your link to your website, I did not know it and it is very interesting.

[trehopr1]

I wouldn't want to be THE one who has to find out personally how risky or outright dangerous a place like Pakistan can be to foreigners. I don't care if you've been to a questionable local a half dozen occasions. If your in the wrong place at the wrong time and you meet up with the wrong people than NO amount of excuses, begging, bribery, OR so called security is going to save you. That seventh trip may prove to be your last !
Your so called security detail will probably turn tail and hot foot it away at any hint of their own personal danger. Then your assailants will simply take what they want and do what they want to you. If they don't wind up taking you hostage and spend months beating you and abusing you for the fun of it ---- than they will simply toss your dead carcass down the nearest 2000 ft. ravine and you will than just be a "statistic" for the record book. The title: Gone Missing
No hobby, passion, or love affair with nature is worth your life ! A life can be extinguished as simple as blowing out a candle or putting out a cigarette butt. Those who throw caution to the wind or feel as though personal risk enhances their life ---- will run out of luck. It's only a matter of when.
I would never take fair warnings as lightly as some do.