Enjoying the raindrops in the morning, giving life to the earth, nature continues to provide a source of life for humans. That's how I was surprised to meet some amazing women who are in touch with the outdoors. Here are two of the many women who I find inspiring through their work in nature. I am Rafselia Novalina, working at WWF Indonesia for Sumatran Tiger Conservation.

Erin
Erin Elizabeth Poor, she was the first woman who impressed me when we first met in February 2015. She is a Ph.D candidate student from the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Tech University. She came to Indonesia, precisely in Riau Province, to conduct Sumatran tiger research through DNA (Deoxyribose-Nucleic Acid) analysis to study the kinship and population size of these animals in several locations in Riau. Not only that, he is also preparing a study of the movement of Sumatran tigers using a GPS collar, a tool to detect the presence of animals in a place using satellites.

Erin and her team (consisting of several alumni of Riau University's Faculty of Biology) and assisted by WWF Indonesia's Sumatran Tiger Research and Monitoring Team - Central Sumatra Program with firm conviction traveled in the wilderness of Riau Forest. The jungle is located in Rimbang Baling Wildlife Reserve, Bukit 30 National Park and Tesso Nilo National Park. He spent 14 days collecting dung from both tigers and jungle cats. The goal is to collect as many feces samples as possible for DNA analysis. The feces samples are easier to collect, effective and less risky to obtain from animals that are difficult to find.

It wasn't the facts and data about Erin's research that amazed me, but her passion and conviction to continue exploring the jungles of Riau. Erin traveled in the forest with her team with uncertainty of water sources, unpredictable changes in forest appearance, no tiger dung samples found, and other unexpected obstacles that could not be predicted. All these obstacles were answered with her determination in entering the forest until now.

One day during my free time, Erin invited me to tell a story about activities in the field. Once in a while you have to go down to the forest to experience what the forest provides in conducting Sumatran tiger research. Every day you'll wonder what surprises are waiting for you, such as beautiful waterfalls, rocky passages, hidden natural pools. When you find them, the exhaustion and frustration of the journey will disappear. Never be afraid to be your own woman on a jungle trek as the team will take good care of you.

This admiration is further increased by following the series of her journey in the forest through videos, photos and the twinkle in her eyes when going to the forest. From her we can learn many philosophies about nature, work, the meaning of team and the beauty and serenity that nature provides. She is a woman, who knows her job is risky for a woman. However, she did her job based on her love for nature.

Tukma
Another Erin, another Tukmaida Rambe who works as a mahout (a person in charge of caring for elephants) in WWF Indonesia's Flying Squad - Central Sumatra Program. When I joined WWF Indonesia, I told and showed my parents a photo of me playing with an elephant. My parents asked, "Aren't you afraid of the elephant? What if he chases you?" When I took the photo with the elephant, I thought that the elephant was nice even though it was my first time meeting him. I just thought, how nice it would be to interact with the elephant.

I also asked Tukma this question, "Weren't you scared when you were first told to look after the elephant?"" Tukma replied, "When I first joined as a mahout and was faced with an elephant, I was worried and scared. What if the elephant attacked me? What if this elephant doesn't want to accept me?"

Tukma tried to overcome his worries by getting to know the elephant better. He was accompanied by a senior mahout to get to know the elephant through its behavior and traits. Her approach succeeded in making Imbo (the name of the elephant in her care) accept her presence. Tukma looks after Imbo like a mother looks after her child. She bathes the elephant, takes it for a walk, puts it in a place with plenty of food, and talks to it when she sees Imbo doing strange things.

The interaction between Tukma and Imbo is awe-inspiring to watch. This woman dares to do her job by becoming a mother to Imbo the elephant calf. Like a mother and child who have activities to do every day. Every Tuesday and Saturday Tukma and Imbo, accompanied by adult male and female elephants, conduct patrols to monitor the presence of wild elephants entering the Tesso Nilo National Park area. When morning comes and afternoon fetches Tukma bathes Imbo in the river so that Imbo can sleep soundly at night.

Isn't the relationship between Tukma and Imbo so romantic? Meetings and conversations are a gift to the friendship and family relationship between Tukma and Imbo.

Tukma and Imbo teach us several things, namely (a). The power of love built by Tukma and Imbo through knowing each other's character and behavior and communicating with each other, (b). Courage, as a woman she dares to get out of her comfort zone which is considered the realm of men's work (c). Humans and animals can be friends through behavioral recognition and (d). Women who work in direct contact with nature are "sexy".

They Met
Erin and Tukma showed the world that their conviction and determination can carry out tasks that are considered high risk that are rarely done by women, such as direct contact with forests and animals. They both have determination and are able to produce work that is worth enjoying. There will be many interesting things and surprises that await with the presence of Erin and Tukma and other great women in the world of conservation.

Happy International Women's Day!