Main Field of Interest: Conservation Biology, Entomology, Marine Biology. Strongly believes in using ecotourism to support conservation. Education: PhD in Evolutionary Biology, U. California - Santa Cruz, post-doc U. Cambridge, UK. Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch. Background: Eric was born in Durban, South Africa to Belgian scientist parents. He has lived and traveled in many countries while growing up - wherever his parents' research took him - including South and Central America, Europe, and Africa. He has spent most of his adult life studying the biota of Nicaragua, making him one of the foremost generalist experts on the terrestrial and marine wildlife of this remarkable country. He has had a number of articles published in scientific journals on various subjects concerned with the ecology or environment of Nicaragua. He is an outstanding amateur entomologist who works with the Carnegie Museum and the Museo Nacional de Entomologia in Leon, Nicaragua cataloging Nicaragua's rare or endemic species. He has a personal reference collection of over 60,000 butterflies from around the world. When not leading tours or out in the field, he is a teacher and Department Head, Biology and Natural Sciences, University of Mobile, San Marcos, Nicaragua. He is also the newly named director of the La Flor Wildlife Refuge sea turtle conservation project in southern Nicaragua - the first project of its type in country that is trying to formally link ecotourism and wildlife conservation. Eric's forte is his ability to translate concepts in biology, ecology, and environmental science into laymen's terms in an engaging, interesting, and often entertaining interactive natural history experience. Eric is the "field biology side" of an ecotour partnership with North American Tom Fletcher, who handles the "office side" of the operation. When you e-mail Eric, the mail first goes to Tom, who actually may answer you. Tom's specialty is management and business development. He has been a project and program manager, a business consultant in Washington, D.C., and an instructor of English as a Second Language (ESL) at the Universidad Americana in Managua. His hobbies include backpacking, snorkeling and military history. Tom speaks French, Spanish and English. On your tours, you may have Eric alone, or possibly Tom will come along, too. Eric conducts the Classic Ecotour and Jungle Safari programs.