GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - The year is 1967 and a young Marine, Peter J. Tolson, native of Cleveland, Ohio, is fresh off the boat in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Having been interested in animals from a young age, the Cuban wildlife quickly caught his attention and he began studying, in earnest, the exotic animals that surrounded him. The Cuban Boa struck his fancy and as his studies progressed, he reached out to Dr. Albert Schwarz, a renowned expert in West Indian herpetology
from the University of Michigan. With the mentorship of Schwarz, as well a generous amount of time serendipitously granted by his commander, Tolson soon found his calling in herpetology. Two years later, Tolson left GTMO and the Marine Corps, to pursue a degree in zoology at Michigan State University, before earning his doctorate degree in ecology and evolution from the University of Michigan.
Fast forward to 2015, it has been nearly 50 years since Sgt. Tolson, now Dr. Tolson, first became interested in the animals of GTMO and today, he is a widely respected expert on them. Tolson currently serves as the director of conservation and research at the Toledo Zoo in Toledo, Ohio. He also does a great deal of fieldwork, including biannual visits to our own GTMO, and assessing the health of the boa populations. At GTMO, Tolson works alongside Joe Madison, natural and cultural resources manager and the veterinary clinic staff.
“He comes twice a year for three weeks and I’m usually sending him updates on the snake locations every couple of weeks,” said Madison. Tolson’s activities during the last several weeks, while he was on the island, were critical to the ongoing effort to protecting the fauna of GTMO, particularly the boas. “To have somebody that has the level of expertise like Dr. Tolson for a specific species is invaluable to me,” said Madison. Tolson was able to observe and record, with the help of the veterinary staff and Madison, dozens of healthy new boas being born. Measurements were taken and Tolson implanted small tracking
devices in a few of the healthiest candidates. The procedure will help ensure the animals can be tracked and is ultimately one of many steps in the conservation program that Tolson and Madison are developing to keep the boas safe and thriving.
“The military has traditionally done a good job of protecting habitat and maintaining healthy ecosystems,” said Capt. Kristin A. Bakkegard, Joint Task Force chief of staff.
Bakkegard is also a biologist and associate professor of biological and environmental sciences at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. “In many areas of the U.S., development has gobbled up vital habitat, leaving military bases, with their large training areas as the only remaining refuges for many plants and animals,” said Bakkegard.
Tolson’s passion for the animals of GTMO and the Caribbean was perhaps most evident at an exposition held at the Phillip’s Park pavilion Saturday on Oct. 10. Tolson and Madison held the event to allow residents to have a meet and greet with some of the animals.
From the boas, to the iguanas, as well as a myriad of small lizards and even a tarantula made an appearance, much to the delight of onlooking families.
“The event is almost too successful,” said Madison. “There are so many people interested and only so many animals to show.” The turnout was impressive with many U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and JTF personnel in attendance. Bakkegard also helped show animals to the audience, moving through crowds of gawking children with a number of small reptiles. “We get an experience most biologists will never have,” said Bakkegard. “Biologically, GTMO is a great place to be. So many unique animals here. What a privilege to see them!” Patrons of the event were still being amazed with animals well after the exposition’s official end time. “It’s important to learn about the animals we share space with and to learn how (our) actions impact the environment,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Mortimer, a JTF Trooper with the J2, intelligence directorate and attendee to the event. With decades of work behind him, Tolson shows no sign of slowing down. His eyes seem bright with passion as he discusses the future of his work. “To be honest with you, when I’m out humpin’ these hills, I run into that young Marine that was here in 1968,” said Tolson, when referring to himself. “I find him again.”