Earthwatch Field Guide - The Kalahari Meerkat Project

More documents

Recommendations

Info

2. WALKING WITH MEERKATSAIM: The aim of your first day with the meerkats is to get used to being in their company, givingthe habituation call when appropriate, and to get some good photos. However, there are a fewbasic things that will be included in your first morning session to prepare you for data collectionlater on.1) Habituation:• Make the habituation calls regularly• Watch your step• Watch your movements• Watch the meerkats’ response to you2) Habitat types: Take note of the different habitats you pass through, referring to your guidewhen necessary.3) ID marks: it is VITAL that you are able to identify the meerkats, so spend time using theGroup Mark sheet to identify the various individuals by their dye marks and collars.4) Distances: you will need to be able to judge small distances in metres along the ground.Practice this, if necessary, by using your tape measure to check how accurate you are.5) Foraging: You will be following a specific meerkat observing the type and size of food itfinds. Try to keep your eyes on one meerkat for a short while, observing how it digs for foodand what types of food it finds.6) Drongos: you will be involved in some data collection dealing with drongos. Ask yourmeerkat volunteer to point out when these birds are near the group, and try to observe theiractivities.The meerkat volunteer assigned to that particular meerkat group will try their best to answer anyquestions you might have regarding the group and the activities taking place around you. Alwaysbe aware that they also have important data to collect, and therefore might sometimes bepreoccupied with these activities (e.g. weighing, recordings). Please do not be offended if they donot always respond immediately or if they continue to look at the meerkats rather than you whilstspeaking, or they even run off mid way through the conversation. When in doubt, follow the lead ofyour volunteer. Above all, enjoy your first session with the meerkats.© Kalahari Meerkat Project, www.kalahari-meerkats.com 10
3. GPS TRACKING3.1. TRACKING SESSIONS USING GPS (Global Positioning System)AIM: Track meerkat movements to investigate whether they follow foraging routes and whatfactors influence group movementUsing your GPSThe short and easy way to take a GPS point, save or access tracks and conquer the world…1. Taking a GPS pointa. Switch on the GPS unit and wait for a
Page 1 and 2: Kalahari Meerkat ProjectEarthwatch
Page 4 and 5: 1.2. MEERKAT IDENTIFICATION: The
Page 6 and 7: 1.2.4. Litter codesEach litter of p
Page 8 and 9: are tolerant of people. Take partic
Page 12 and 13: . The ‘save’ option should be h
Page 14 and 15: 4. FORAGING FOCALS4.1. OVERVIEWNote
Page 16 and 17: efore beginning or continuing a foc
Page 18 and 19: No. ofhelpersMorning andlunchweight
Page 20 and 21: 5. DRONGO SCANSAIM: Collect data on
Page 22 and 23: 6. BIODIVERSITY SURVEYS6.1. INVERTE
Page 24 and 25: and a range of other generalist bir
Page 26 and 27: APPENDIX I - Meerkat behavioursFor
Page 28 and 29: • Anal marking: Rubbing of the an
Page 30 and 31: • Blocking: meerkat places its bo

Earthwatch Field Guide - The Kalahari Meerkat Project

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?