Pearson tries to arrive just as the rains begin. Pearson hosts workshops in the countries he visits, recruiting students to help him with his work. Once trained, students can take over a large portion of the research in their areas. In many cases the women do a much better job than the men. Because in many countries the macho image dictates that men don't catch insects.
Men become doctors or dentists.
Men don't do this kind of work in the mud. Changing these kinds of perceptions about the environment is a big part of Pearson's job. Conservation biologists need to be part public relations agent. The other, worse answer is, 'I haven't been there because I'm embarrassed by all that rainforest, and all those naked people living there. Understanding the biology of an ecosystem is pretty useless if you can't persuade people to protect it.