Category: Blog
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A Week of Wildlife in Southern Victoria, Australia (2024)
2025 was a rough year for me— a roller coaster of ups and downs that rocked me to my core. After leaving the University of Queensland in late April and scrapping my former dream of becoming a zoologist in Australia, it took me awhile to get back on my feet and feel confident in myself…
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Getaway to Bintan Island, Indonesia (2026)
Recently, my girlfriend Florence and I enjoyed a pleasant, five-day getaway to Bintan Island, Indonesia, located just one hour from the Singapore mainland via fast ferry. Our trip was a rewarding mixture of eco-tourism, luxury accommodation, fine dining, and fun outdoor sports like jet skiing. Though we weren’t focused on wildlife-spotting, we still had the…
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The Rugged & Remarkable Rockies of Colorado (2025)
If there were ever a region of the world designed for a person like me, Colorado might be it. This large, square, state in the Western US is a broad expanse of rugged, high mountains, vast prairies, lush forests, windswept steppe, and some of the most spectacular scenery I’ve ever laid eyes on. My recent…
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Scorching-Hot Wildlife Outing Through Paynes Prairie, Florida
Florida is a surprising—though perhaps not-so-surprising—treasure-trove of American biodiversity. The Sunshine State spans a 350-mile-long (563 km) peninsula that stretches into the northern Caribbean, ending just north of the Tropic of Cancer and Cuba. This region, the Florida peninsula, is the only part of the United States where the Neararctic (North American) and Neotropical (Latin…
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Iceland: A Week in Europe’s Wildest Nation (2025)
While much of Europe lures travelers with its historic landmarks, vibrant cultures, and world-renowned cuisine, Iceland stands apart as a destination defined by raw natural beauty. This rugged, volcanic island-nation captivates visitors not with castles or cathedrals, but with its natural beauty—ranging from steaming geysers and active volcanoes to sprawling glaciers and abundant marine life.…
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Exploring Australia’s Gondwana Rainforest (2025)
As I’ve mentioned before on earlier blog posts & other sections of my blog, I will soon be attending the University of Queensland, Australia to study zoology. It’s crazy to think that in less than a month from now (January 21st), I will be starting on the path toward my dream major/career in a nation…
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Four Days in the Sumatran Jungle (2024)
I’ve been fascinated with the wildlife of Southeast Asia—namely the gigantic, mysterious islands of Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi—from the time I first visited Sabah at age 9. Since then, I’ve dreamt of returning to the region by myself to search for wildlife. In November of 2024, I fulfilled my long-standing dream by planning and…
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Sulawesi (2024): Nantu Forest Reserve
I spent two days and one night (Days 4 & 5) of my Sulawesi trip exploring the verdant, 520 km² Nantu Forest Reserve in Gorontalo Province, Sulawesi, where I obtained a total of one hundred million bug bites, mud-soaked shoes, and zero sightings of Babirusa, Sulawesi Warty Pig, or Lowland Anoa (my target mammals). …
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Sulawesi (2024): Hungayono Forest
Out of the three reserves I visited on my 2024 Sulawesi mammal adventure, my favorite by far was Hungayono Forest. This rarely-traversed but spectacular expanse of hilly primary rainforest, hot springs, and limestone caves constitutes part of the western section of 2,871 km² Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, and is a paradise for Sulawesi’s endemic…
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Sulawesi (2024): Tangkoko Nature Reserve
I’m a third-culture kid raised on wildlife adventures in exotic locations. Since moving to Shanghai, China, at the age of seven, I’ve had countless marvelous opportunities to explore the natural wonders of the Far East with my family. I am incredibly grateful to my parents for fostering my passion for animals and nature throughout my…
Bennett Gardner Wildlife Watching 