After the initial 7-10 day training period, which is usually undertaken at one or other of the main research centres or lodges we use for training purposes, the team will plan a ranger patrol covering a period of 2-5 nights and a walking route of 5-30 km. Having checked and fixed all equipment required for the patrol, packed sufficient food, water, and other supplies (including water purification tablets), and informed head-office of the planned patrol route, duration, and communication times, the team will head off by foot or in one of the boats to the starting point of the patrol. The route from then on is constantly tracked by one of the handheld GPS devices, and the standard protocol taught in the training period is followed until the team reaches the first campsite, at which point each team member will undertake a specific set of tasks to ensure the camp is up and working as quickly as possible. This includes locating a good water source, firewood, and erecting tents, hammocks, and work areas. During patrol periods to and from campsites, all team members will communicate about and take data on the presence of conservation priority species and the direct signs of threats. On detecting a priority species, either visually, by sound, or via observing a track (footprint) in the mud or sandbar of a stream, up to 5 mins is spent collecting the necessary information, including GPS location. On detecting a threat sign (e.g. human footprint, machete cuts on vegetation, an unexpected trail, a felled tree, a shotgun report, etc.) up to 10 mins may be spent collecting preliminary information, before a decision is made whether to follow up the investigation or not. In the case of an unexpected trail, this will usually be followed and tracked with a GPS to determine if it leads to a felled tree or similar. If a felled tree is found, it will be identified, its girth will be measured to determine the age of the tree, the volume of removed timber estimated, the date of felling estimated, and its location logged in the GPS. If an encounter with illegal extractors or other trespassers is predicted, then all team members will follow the human encounter protocol. In this case, the lead or senior ranger, or Regente if he/she is present on the patrol, is responsible for initiating communication and for ascertaining why the person or persons are located within the reserve. For health and safety reasons the team may decide not to initiate contact at this time and rather communicate with head office and potentially return with more people, including a Regente or member of the local ecological police force based in Puerto Maldonado. Patrol days tend to be very long and tiring, and environmental conditions can be difficult and uncomfortable, especially if it rains a lot or a cold Friaje front arrives.