2013

Lion Bioacoustic Study

What to expect:

A bit about lion behavior and natural historyA bit about behavioral data collectionOur study design and research questionYour role as a volunteerData collection and schedulingPractice

We’re going to start with something very

important….

Online kitty videos!!!!!!

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/animal-planet/28394-fooled-by-nature-lions-roar-video.htm

What makes lion vocalizations interesting?

Rare social system

Use of roars and vocalizations in different scenarios

Role of bioacoustics in captive management

Applied Bioacoustics (Voldina and Voldin 1999)

Identification of species, sub species, and hybrids

Determining a reproductive state

Behavioral Management

Indicators of social relationships

Emotional indicatorsSex determination

Pfferle et al 2007

Lions in our Zoo

New kids on the block…

Our Study Questions

Determine effect of introductions on two resident lions

Change in activity budgets Change in hormone levels

Determine the role of vocalizations throughout introductions

Frequency of vocalizations Define types of vocalizations and look at prevalence of

individual types of vocalizations

Statistical analysis of predictor variables!

Data Collection

Daily collection of Video Audio recorder Poop!

Before, during, (and after?) introductions

Behavioral Data Collection

Instant scan sampling Recording the behavioral state of

an animal on a set interval Good for recording activity budgets

and common behaviors

All occurrence sampling Recording every occurrence of a

particular behavior of interest Good for recording rare behaviors

that are unlikely to be represented on an interval

Some Example Footage

Some Example Footage

Some Example Footage

Scheduling

Please use the site www.sbzlion.wordpress.com to make your schedule requests

Please complete your schedule requests by the Monday prior to your observation

Confirmation e-mails will be sent out to individuals every Monday with complete details

End. Questions?