Human Nature: Stories About Courage

In this week’s installation of our Human Nature series, we’re sharing stories about times the natural world forces us to draw on our courage. Both of today’s stories were originally produced for a show we held last December in partnership with the IF/THEN Initiative and IF/THEN Ambassador Becca Peixotto.

Part 1: Dorothy Tovar faces her fear of nature when she embarks on a month-long safari trip in Botswana's Okavango Delta.

Dorothy Tovar is a Ph.D. Candidate studying Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University. Her research investigates antiviral immune responses in bats to understand their remarkable ability to host viruses that are deadly to humans, like Ebola, without getting sick themselves. Dorothy is also an Ambassador for the American Association for the Advancement of Science IF/THEN Initiative. This role has given her a national platform to inspire girls and underrepresented minorities in STEM. Through IF/THEN Dorothy has worked with CBS, The United Nations Foundation, Seventeen Magazine, Girl Scouts of the USA, and Reddit.

Part 2: Caving with her research team in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind, Nompumelelo Hlophe finds herself in a tight spot.

Nompumelelo Hlophe is a third-year biological anthropology PhD student at Texas A&M University. She was born in South Africa and moved to the U.S. in August 2016 to pursue her master’s at Georgia Southern University. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Information Science degree in 2015 and also became an exploration technician/caver, looking for new fossil sites in the Cradle of Humankind in South Africa. After completing her PhD studies, Nompumelelo plans to go into academia or research and hopefully have an opportunity to recruit young South Africans to get into the field of anthropology.

Story Transcripts

Part 1: Dorothy Tovar

As a kid I was obsessed with every science and nature channel cable TV had to offer. Discovery Channel, Nat Geo, Animal Planet, you named it. I loved watching shows like Planet Earth that let me explore the world and get up close and personal with a goliath birdeating tarantula without having to actually get up close and personal with a goliath birdeating tarantula. I was in a weird place where I was really fascinated and interested in wildlife, but also a bit too terrified to actually go into nature myself.

Dorothy Tovar is a Ph.D. Candidate studying Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University.

Later when I was in high school, the disconnect became really clear when I got inspired by the idea of studying biodiversity and the Amazonian rainforest and, a few days later, literally collapsing after getting hit in the face by a flying beetle. “Hmm. This might cause a problem,” I thought.

I ran into what represented two major obstacles to me pursuing my interest in nature. One, I don't like bugs. And, two, I really prefer to be in controlled environments and I interpreted nature to be an unpredictable and unsafe space for me. All of the field scientists that I saw didn't seem afraid, so I concluded that being afraid in the field would make me an imposter.

Eventually, my interest took a different direction and I ended up becoming really excited about microbiology. I think it helped that being a microbiologist allowed me to stay in spaces I was comfortable in. To me, a lab is the opposite of nature, or at least nature‑confined. In this space, everything is controlled and the most dangerous things I encounter are contained in test tubes and Petri dishes.

It turns out that I wasn't completely cured of my interest in nature, though. For my PhD, I decided to start a project that focuses on bats as a source of infectious diseases that cause outbreaks in people. At the time, there was a really bad Ebola outbreak ravaging West Africa and bats had been implicated in the origins of that outbreak. It turns out that bats can host lots of deadly viruses, like Ebola, without getting sick themselves.

I really wanted to tackle this problem looking at the whole picture and not just thinking about viruses and Petri dishes so I joined the lab of an ecologist and field scientist named Elizabeth Hadly. For most of grad school, I was happy to do all of my research inside of our lab and I felt comforted by the safety that the quiet hum of the minus-80 degree freezer.

When I joined the Hadly lab, everyone else had field experience except me. My lab mates had really cool field sites in the Costa Rican rainforest, the Indian Himalayas and various Caribbean islands while my research never left Palo Alto, California.

I never had anything to contribute when my peers exchanged exciting stories from the field, and sometimes that definitely made me feel like an imposter, like there was a huge elephant in the room carrying a sign that read, “She is not a field scientist.”

So it was no surprise that I immediately counted myself out when Liz told the lab we were going on a month-long trip to Botswana. “Wow, that is so awesome,” I said. “Y'all are gonna have a great time.”

I thought, “I'm not a field scientist and I don't belong in the field,” but Liz really kept encouraging me to reconsider.

At first I thought she was just being polite but, eventually, she chipped away at my fear and finally unearthed the passion of that little girl who spent hours watching Planet Earth.

Fast forward to the first week of a month-long safari trip in Botswana's Okavango Delta. The delta is a vast, swampy region that floods seasonally and creates a lush habitat for tons of African wildlife that we all know and love. Think hippos, giraffes, leopards, lions, hyenas and, of course, elephants.

The trip included a group of my lab mates and some students that we brought to teach about field research and conservation techniques. Here I was now in this vast African wetland and I was surprised to find that my I'm-not-a-real-field-scientist elephant came with me.

I was in awe of how much my lab mates knew about the wildlife around us and felt like I had nothing to contribute in comparison. Sometimes the elephant in my head was so loud that it felt like others could hear it too.

While out on safari one afternoon, we settled down in a swampy area to rest in the shade of the nice trees. During the break, I heard the steady but firm voice of our safari guide Gareth say, “There is an elephant right behind you.”

At first my insecurities took over and I think, “Oh, no. Can you see it too?” Then I realize his back is to me and he's facing another member of our group who was on their way back from a bio break.

I think, “Okay. Surely we would have heard or seen an elephant stroll on up,” as I searched the brush looking for the animal in question.

And there it was, an adult male elephant that was perfectly camouflaged behind the tiniest tree and it had managed to creep up right behind our group. How in the world could this massive and magnificent creature sneak anywhere? We say the term ‘elephant in the room’ for a reason, don't we?

It turns out that elephants have cushions in their feet that give them super stealth abilities to walk without making any noise. And this dude got really close, so close that I could see the thick fluid dripping down the side of its head telling me that this was a bull in musth.

Days before, Gareth had explained to us that musth is a period where male elephants can experience a rise in reproductive signals that can result in them being restless, irritable and sometimes violent and aggressive. And they can get aggressive enough to attack other elephants and humans without warning. So now I find myself in a new face-off with a real elephant this time.

Everyone registered the serious tone in Gareth's usually light and playful voice and a silence spread throughout our group. We all slowly inched our way back to the safari car while Gareth confronted the elephant. I couldn't help but think Gareth was absolutely insane while watching him make loud noises and shake a large fallen tree branch at the elephant.

“He should totally be afraid right now. I'm in the safety of this safari car and I am afraid. This is exactly why I shouldn't be here,” I start to think.

Here Gareth is, facing this elephant and I'm the one who's freaking out. I think the belief that I formed as a kid that being a real field scientist meant not being afraid was playing out in real time.

An awkward chuckle from one of my lab mates pulled my focus away from my own thoughts and back into the car. Looking around, I saw tense faces and realized that I was not the only one who was really stressed out. I think we all understood that something could go wrong at any moment. And in that moment, the feelings of fear and uncertainty we all shared as a group grounded me. I realized that feeling afraid doesn't have to disqualify me from being a field scientist.

After a back-and-forth between Gareth and the elephant, the bull relents and leaves our group just as quietly as it came. But during that three-minute encounter, I was forced to get out of my head and become extremely present in that moment in the bush. And while my mind was focused on the elephant in front of me, the one in my head quietly disappeared as well.

Part 2: Nompumelelo Hlophe

I am on my way to meet renowned paleoanthropologist Professor Lee Berger. I am ready to embark on a new chapter in my life, joining a team that is well known across the world for its caving talents and fossil discoveries in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind. This is once in a lifetime opportunity for me, which I have been anticipating since I first met him.

I am giddy with anticipation but my nerves are also running high. Not only do I want to achieve well for myself, but I also want to show my traditional parents that this is not just any career, but one that is vital to me and the entire world. I am ready to enter the Rising Star Cave where the Homo naledi fossils were discovered and write history.

When I eventually meet the rest of the team known as the exploration technicians, I discover that I am the only black woman on the team and that I will be working with four other men. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to demonstrate to young African girls that everything is possible.

The lead excavator, Marina Elliott is busy explaining the rules before we go inside the cave, and I get a little terrified when she remarks, “There are a lot of tight squeezes that we have to go through. If you start feeling uncomfortable and cannot go any further, please let me know immediately and do not push yourself if you cannot breathe properly.”

She goes on to say that it is critical that I should not worry and if I get trapped that I should trust my colleagues.

A lot of things are going through my mind at this time but my biggest concern is what will happen if I get an asthma attack even though I have not had one in over ten years? But I keep my anxieties to myself since I do not want to tell them that I am ecstatic…

[Sorry, I got distracted. There's the neighbors mowing the lawn.]

The lead excavator Marina Elliott is busy explaining the rules before we go inside the cave and I get a little terrified when she remarks, “There are a lot of tight squeezes that we have to go through. If you start feeling uncomfortable and cannot go any further, please let me know immediately and do not push yourself if you cannot breathe properly.”

She goes on to say that it is critical that I do not worry and, if I get trapped, I should trust my colleagues.

A lot of things are going through my mind at this time, but my biggest concern is what would happen if I get an asthma attack even though I know I have not had one in over ten years?

But I keep my anxieties to myself since I did not want to tell them I am asthmatic even though I'm not sure whether that is still the case. I do not want to risk appearing weak. And even though Professor Berger is not on site today, I need to take care of myself.

I finally get to go inside the cave and I'm so eager and terrified that the smell of porcupine pee and bat guano does not bother me.

“Mpume, are you still okay? Please be careful. Please watch your step. And please let me know as soon as you cannot breathe properly or start feeling uncomfortable.” These are the words that keep repeating in my thoughts every time I walk on rubble or proceed deeper into the cave.

This is it. There's no going back. I have come this far and there is no way I'm going back the same way. I will wait for the easier way out if one exists.

We progress further and deeper into the cave until we reach the first squeeze, which is known as the Superman Crawl because it requires a person to take the Superman position, which consists of one hand stretched forward and the other placed on the side. Because I am short, I am bracing myself for the worst and expect to struggle.

As they go through the Superman Crawl, I keep a close eye on the first team member. I do not want to make a blunder. I push myself forward with my legs while laying on my stomach with my right hand stretched forward. At the same time, I must wriggle my body.

Because my helmet keeps coming in front of my eyes, I cannot see ahead of me. I start to feel concerned at this point and the team member ahead of me keeps calling my name and tells me I'm almost there.

It is necessary for me at this point to remind myself why I'm doing this. I have the option to stop, if I so desire, but I am unable to do so. I am exploring a historic cave system. I have been looking forward to this moment for a long time and now it has arrived. I've always wanted to be part of an exploration team and now is my chance to show to myself and to my family that I am capable and I will succeed.

As I near the end of the Superman Crawl, I become ecstatic because I know the hardest potion is about to be over. However, before I can exit the crawl and enter the Rising Star chamber, I must squeeze past a massive block of rock smack dab in the middle of the entryway.

While the other member is busy instructing me on how to properly squeeze around the massive boulder, I rise up too quickly and scrape my back, which is the first major scratch I receive from a cave. I bend down and scream, “Clear,” after silently crying in pain so that the next member can begin crawling.

I am finally in the Rising Star chamber, which is the major chamber that everyone must pass before they enter the Dinaledi chamber where the Homo naledi fossils were discovered.

I boost the lights on my…

I am finally in the Rising Star chamber, which is the major chamber that everyone must pass through before entering the Dinaledi chamber where the Homo naledi fossils were discovered.

I boost the lights on my helmet to get a better view of the chamber and I'm astounded by what I see. The large and little fragments of dolomites and breccia, which is sort of rock which fossils are typically found.

While I'm looking about for a piece of fossil, Steve, one of the team members pulls me over and points into a small space. He smiles and says, “Crawl in there and try to look up. Hopefully, there's no porcupine hiding in there.”

I am instantly afraid and I'm thinking, “How am I going to turn around and gaze up in that tight space?”

The squeeze appears to be the size a five-year-old youngster might comfortably fit in. I timidly request him to kindly show me how to do what he's saying and he lays down on his back and pushes into the tight hole. I mimic his moves like a monkey.

When I get within the tight squeeze, I look up and cannot believe what I see. I say to myself, “This is where they're hiding.” There are a lot of tiny faunal fossils embedded in breccia, small animal bones and teeth that are visible. It is lovely inside and, to be honest, rather cozy. I cannot believe I'm laying inside a cave as if I'm laying in my own bed. I cannot help but think I have made the right choice.

The remainder of the team arrives in the chamber. We move on to other parts of the cave where I encounter other tight spaces such as the Toilet Bowl, which is shaped like a toilet seat, and the Dragon's Back which is designed like a back of the dragon.

By the end of the day, I lose track of how many times I scratched my shins, arms and back merely to climb a rock or squeeze through a tight squeeze in an odd location. I found means to climb up rocks with my small legs in addition to standing on one of my teammates’ shoulders. I feel like I am one with the cave and I am content.

After a six-hour journey into the cave with breaks in between, I know that this is intended for me and I have no intention of changing my mind. Yes, I have a few bruises and scratches to show for it, but they're scars I am proud of.

I've become a member of the exploration team. Being the only female in the team makes me feel intimidated at times, but it simply motivates me to work even harder.

Because I never give up, I am now a third year biological anthropology PhD student at Texas A&M University. I set a goal for myself and achieved it. There is still so much more I want to do in my career as a woman and I am excited for what the future holds.

Story 2: Nompumelelo Hlophe