Earthwatch Field Guide - The Kalahari Meerkat Project

TABLE OF CONTENTS1. GENERAL CONVENTIONS AND TECHNIQUES ....................................................................31.1. SCHEDULE ...................................................................................................................................... 31.2. MEERKAT IDENTIFICATION: The ‘Group Mark’ sheet ...................................................................... 41.2.1. Codes ........................................................................................................................................................................... 41.2.2. Naming meerkats and groups..................................................................................................................................... 41.2.3. Identification of meerkats and dye marks................................................................................................................... 51.2.4. Litter codes................................................................................................................................................................... 61.2.5. Age Categories ............................................................................................................................................................ 61.2.6. Other information on the Group Mark sheet............................................................................................................... 61.3. HABITUATION MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES .............................................................................. 61.3.1. Approaching the group ................................................................................................................................................ 61.3.2. Walking with meerkats................................................................................................................................................. 72. WALKING WITH MEERKATS ................................................................................................103. GPS TRACKING ....................................................................................................................113.1. TRACKING SESSIONS USING GPS (Global Positioning System)....................................................113.2. TRACKING PROTOCOL ..................................................................................................................124. FORAGING FOCALS .............................................................................................................144.1. OVERVIEW......................................................................................................................................144.2. FORAGING FOCAL PROTOCOL.....................................................................................................145. DRONGO SCANS..................................................................................................................205.1. DRONGO SCAN PROTOCOL..........................................................................................................205.2. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: LOOK FOR RINGS...........................................................................216. BIODIVERSITY SURVEYS ....................................................................................................226.1. INVERTEBRATE SURVEY ....................................................................................................226.2. ECOLOGICAL BIODIVERSITY SURVEY...............................................................................226.2.1. Maintenance of species lists .....................................................................................................................................226.2.2. Transect surveys .......................................................................................................................................................237. VANZYLSRUS SCHOOL .......................................................................................................25APPENDIX I – Meerkat behaviours ...............................................................................................26© Kalahari Meerkat Project, www.kalahari-meerkats.com 2