A TEACHER at Pontymoile Primary will be undertaking valuable research during six weeks in the jungle.

John Meredith, 39, flew out to the Cusuco Cloud Forest National Park in Honduras this week with UK- based organisation Operation Wallacea.

The project undertakes biodiversity and economic studies in 23 remote locations.

Mr Meredith said: “I applied in January and was accepted as a schools’ leader. This means I will help organise the volunteers and help them collect data.”

The group of 100 people will spend three days in base camp on the edge of the park, learning jungle survival skills, before trekking into the park, where they will build their own camps.

Mr Meredith said: “The accommodation in the camp is basic and we have to carry equipment in our backpacks.

We will sleep in hammocks, make fires and dig toilets.

The group will gather data on small mammals, birds, bats and beetles that can then be used to monitor changes in biodiversity.

Prior to leaving, Mr Meredith gave talks about his trip to pupils and took some on an outdoor pursuit.