Today’s videos are admittedly old (2005 from what I can tell) they still tell an inspirational story from the most remote island on earth, Easter Island.
Remote Beauty
For those of you who aren’t famaliar with Easter Island, it’s a place of quiet mystery, large stone faces and enormous tragedy. Although it is one of the most spectacular settings for a documentary, the story is very sad. The horses and cattle on Easter Islands are dying from a mysterious disease and a young vet is determined to uncover the mystery.
The Conclusion
In the end the young vet uncovers the mystery and once identified, they can at least attempt treatment. The vet later goes on to dedicate his life to eradicating the Cho Cho Syndrome. I couldn’t find anything about it at all online…so if anyone knows anything about it I’d love to hear in the comments.
You said, “The vet later goes on to dedicate his life to eradicating the Cho Cho Syndrome.”
Actually that is not exactly correct. Jonathan was not able to keep Veterinarian Relief International funded properly, and he now is a senior professional for USDA in animal disease research. That may be the saddest part of the story. No longer does “el gringo” go to Rapa Nui to bring free medicines to the people and their stock. No longer is there a voice demanding that the government of Chile do something about the incursion of Cho Cho onto the ahu of the island. This invasive toxic plant has ruined the beauty of Ahu Tongariki near Rano Raraku, not only by growing throughout the surrounding landscape but by killing animals… Their bodies and remains are visible everywhere. As Jonathan said, “…16% of these animals will be dead within a year,” and that number has grown since VRI no longer gives aid to the Rapa Nui people.