Michael Thomas Harbuck
Ehrwalder Strasse 7
82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Germany

Mr. Hadley Becha
The East African Wildlife Society
P.O. Box 20110
Nairobi, Kenya
							The second of June, 2005
Mr. Becha, 

A year and a half have now passed since I came upon the society there in Nairobi.  First, I would like to thank all of you for the opportunity which you afforded me, namely the use of the society's library, and  having been shown the coastal region by yourself, and the others.  I decided to return to the coast the following month after having visited with you for the remainder of my six month tourist visa, and lived there until  the end of  September 2004.   In Mombasa I met many very nice and remarkable people who were helpful and courtious.  

The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institut is a great place to learn, and I am prould to have been allowed use of the study materials there as well.  Bandari College provided me with an excellent repetoire of oceangraphy books, books about coastal weather, and information on the history of Mombasa.  The public library in Mombasa delighted me with it's array of excellent scientific books as well.  Dr.Fazil and Dr. Mwangi were most gracious to allow me a practical position, where I was able to practice my veterinary diagnostic abilities while also earning valuable zoological experience as well.       

After having worked in the the U.S. of America and visited my family I am now once again in  Germany  where I have begun to prepare for a three year project in Kenya.  The process is a very straightforward one.  I must send the completed form which  I recieved from Dr. Mathiga in Mombasa to the appropriate government bureu with the fees for the research permit.  I do not believe that I will have trouble finding an association with one of the many schools, universities and institutes here.  My hope is to interest others who will want to take part, and accompany me as team members.  

The research will most likely be a general overview of the small coastal fresh water systems and associated species.  The small coastal marsh areas interested me very much when I was able to travel the coast with Dr. Mwangi while making rounds.  Species counts, ecological relationships, and other scientific data will be collected, and then made public to any and all persons.   

Another interest of mine is to answer the question, as to whether the littoral and openwater stomatopod  species vary to such a degree, that these can be classified as diffeerent species.  There are many general biological questions about these amazing animals that have yet to be answered, especially the unknown speices of such, that it is very exciting.  One of the determining charactistics are the form of the front pairs of appendages, which I would enjoy comparing with samples from all around the world.  

If either you personally or the Society can sponsor the work in any way, I would most appreciate any and all support.  Monetarily I will be searching for small donations from persons and organizations here in Germany, and will also work to save and pay for my airfare.  The necessary equipment is not such that I require high sums of money, but must only be able to have living arrangements paid in advance with an allotment for daily sustainance, and have the basic laboratory articles I require.  

I hope that you will take the time to return a letter to me, and that all is well there.  Please tell Esther and Damaris hello for me.
sincerely, 

Michael Thomas Harbuck