Web exclusive: Gordon’s blowpipe practise

The main impediment to survival in the jungle is not a lack of edible species, but that most of these live high in the canopy. By making poisonous darts from the bark of the curare vine, the Waorani have mastered how to make a silent missile that can enable a single party of hunters to bring down a monkey without them even noticing.

As effortless as they make this look, observing Gordon’s skills in comparison gives you an appreciation of the expertise required; just the weight and length alone makes it incredibly difficult to hold in a vertical position, then there's the accuracy needed to hit a moving target 30 metres above. The blowpipe is without a doubt one of the most impressive examples of human ingenuity requiring both extraordinary skill and an intimate understanding of jungle ecology.

Katrina Steele - Researcher