To protect these fossil beds from looters, the National Geographic Society will not disclose specific locations. We had no idea that our cargo containers with all our supplies and equipment would be delayed three weeks after the team arrived in Niger. When, on August 26 the entire crew was still in Niamey, and the cargo was still in Benin due to vehicle problems, a gas shortage and a truck-drivers' strike, we had to make a plan. Paul split the team. Eric, Greg and RudD stayed in Niamey to pursue the cargo while the rest of the team headed north to Agadez to set up camp using leftover supplies from the 1997 Expedition.
Successful expeditions are about being able to adapt to adverse situations.
Despite the fact that we did not receive our gear until a few days ago, we are ten days into the field season. Each day we have prospected we have made a discovery. Just yesterday the discovery of a small, dog-sized carnivore by team member Chris Sidor, added an exciting new element to the big picture. Every discovery is helping us piece together a picture of what life was like in the Sahara 110 million years ago. Two or three kinds of turtles sunned themselves on logs four feet in circumference.