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Ape academic shot dead in Ecuador Ape academic shot dead in Ecuador
(about 22 hours later)
A conservationist from Bristol has been shot dead while researching a threatened species of monkey, in Ecuador, South America. A conservationist from Bristol has been shot dead while researching a threatened species of primates, in Ecuador, South America.
Ben Samphire died on Monday afternoon, close to the village of El Palmar.Ben Samphire died on Monday afternoon, close to the village of El Palmar.
The 31-year-old PhD graduate was hoping for a career in primate conservation, his former supervisor said.The 31-year-old PhD graduate was hoping for a career in primate conservation, his former supervisor said.
Police are reportedly trying to establish if he was killed by a local landowner who may have mistaken him for a robber.Police are reportedly trying to establish if he was killed by a local landowner who may have mistaken him for a robber.
In a statement Dr Samphire's former supervisor Professor Stephen Shennan, of University College London, said: "Ben Samphire was a very bright and engaging young man who ploughed his own furrow.In a statement Dr Samphire's former supervisor Professor Stephen Shennan, of University College London, said: "Ben Samphire was a very bright and engaging young man who ploughed his own furrow.
"Ben had decided that he wanted to work at a more practical level and decided to pursue a career in primate conservation. In order to do so he needed to gain experience as a volunteer and so went to Ecuador."Ben had decided that he wanted to work at a more practical level and decided to pursue a career in primate conservation. In order to do so he needed to gain experience as a volunteer and so went to Ecuador.
"I held him in enormous regard and liked him very much. His death is deeply saddening to me and to all his friends.""I held him in enormous regard and liked him very much. His death is deeply saddening to me and to all his friends."
A Foreign Office spokeswoman added: "We can confirm the death of a British national at Pedernales, in Ecuador on 24 February. The next of kin have been informed and we are providing consulate assistance."A Foreign Office spokeswoman added: "We can confirm the death of a British national at Pedernales, in Ecuador on 24 February. The next of kin have been informed and we are providing consulate assistance."
Pedernales, on the country's Pacific coast, is a major attraction for biologists from around the globe because of its forests and nature reserve.Pedernales, on the country's Pacific coast, is a major attraction for biologists from around the globe because of its forests and nature reserve.