Harvard Ornithologists in Ecuador Attacked by Men Wielding Machetes

The curator of birds at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, his wife, and a Harvard senior were attacked and seriously injured by a machete-swinging crowd in a remote part of Ecuador last Saturday night.

Raymond A. Paynter Jr., his wife Elizabeth, and David W. Norton '66 were working on ornithological studies in Azuay Province in southern Ecuador when the attack occurred.

The three arrived at their campsite in the Azuay jungle Saturday morning, after completing their work in the town of Cuenca. They pitched two tents and went to bed during the day.

They were awakened at 7 p.m. by seven drunken men who had run shouting into the camp and burst into their tents. Paynter tried to calm them but was struck by machetes. The men turned on Mrs. Paynter and were joined by ten women wielding clubs. The beat the Paynters to unconsciousness.

Norton slipped past the attackers and ran six miles through the jungle to the town of Palmas for help.

The Paynters and Norton were taken to St. Vincent De Paul Hospital in Cue Ca, the Azuay capital, 190 miles south of Quito. The Paynters are reported in serious condition but are expected to live. Paynter is suffering from machete cuts on his head and his left arm is broken in several places. His wife has cuts on her head and arms. Norton is reported in good condition, having suffered arm injuries.

Research Project

The expedition was a long term research project on the fauna of Equador. The Paynters and Norton were studying factors of distribution affecting jungle bird life.

Norton has spent the past two summers in Equador and took a leave of absence from Harvard to join the project. Paynter joined the expedition six weeks ago and was followed by his wife last week.

Both Paynters are experienced explorers. Paynter has been in Equador once before and has taken part in bird studies in Mexico and Nepal. He is a graduate of Bowdoin and earned his doctorate at Yale. He and his wife live in Weston.

Attack Unexplained

Both the reason for the attack and the identity of the attackers are unknown. An Air Force plane has flown consul general Richard Salvatierre to Cuenca to investigate the incident.