R. KYES Observational Techniques Field Study Methods

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Field Study Methods

© R. KYES

Observational Techniques & Field Awareness

© R. KYES

What is a Field Study?

© R. KYES

Studying animals in their… “natural habitat” or “in the wild.”

In today’s world, the concept of “natural” or “wild” is blurring...

For some animals…, their “natural habitat” may not be so natural or wild anymore.

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copyrighted RKyes 2021

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1. Patience and flexibility

2. Don’t assume anything - always confirm

3. Repetition = reliability

4. Be organized (base camp, equipment, etc.)

5. Establish a schedule of observation (maintain field notes)

I. Important Points for Conducting a Field Study

Observational Techniques Kosumpee Forest Park, Thailand

Sept-Dec 2016

Kosumpee Forest Park, Thailand

Sept-Dec 2016

1. Patience and flexibility

2. Don’t assume anything - always confirm

3. Repetition = reliability

4. Be organized (base camp, equipment, etc.)

5. Establish a schedule of observation (maintain field notes)

6. Determine what you want to study AND what methods you will use (even statistical analyses) before going to the field

I. Important Points for Conducting a Field Study

Observational Techniques

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1. Follow Animals (“Group Follows”)Advantages: allows observation of natural

behavior over extended periodsProblems: long habituation period

II. General Methods of Observation in the Field

2. Let animals come to you (food provision) Advantages: animal visibility often much better Problems: behavior may not be completely natural

3. Remote Sensing (trap cameras, aerial drones)Advantages: provides data on elusive species, or in

difficult areas to access on regular basis Problems: limited observation of behavior, technical

problems (caused by equipment or animals)


1. Physical features/distinguishing marks (photos, diagrams)

III. Animal/Group Identification


Created a “Photo Directory” of grp members - to aid in accurate identification of individuals/groups - estimate group size

Promoting the Healthy Coexistence between Humans & Primates at Kosumpee Forest Park, Northeast Thailand

(Sept-Dec 2016)

RedBalls Group

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HareLip Group StumpTail Group

RedDot Group RedDot Group - continued

DroopLip Group DroopLip Group - continued

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“Drifter Males”

1. Physical features/distinguishing marks (photos, diagrams)

2. Mark animals yourself (dye mark, shave, radio-telemetry)

III. Animal/Group Identification


1. Pencil and paper

3. Video camera

2. Voice recorder

4. Hand-held computer

Observational TechniquesIV. Methods of Recording Field Data

Field Awareness

1. Limited visibility (thick trees, animals too far away, etc.)

I. Problems/Limitations/Dangers of Field Research

Field Awareness

2. No control of environmental variables (weather, tourists, etc.)


Field Awareness

3. Difficult /dangerous field conditions (terrain, temp extremes, altitude, animals…)


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Conditions!!!

Know what you are getting into…&

BE PREPARED

Field Awareness

1. “Creepy crawlers”

II. Recognizing Dangers in the Field

(leeches, ticks, chiggers, mosquitos…)

Leeches (annelids)

Leeches (annelids)

Removal: Use fingernail to break seal of oral sucker. Do not use of flame, lit cigarette, salt, etc. as it may cause leech to regurgitate into the wound – infection.

Treatment: Wash with soap and water and bandage.

Prevention: No guaranteed method. Strong insect repellent may help. Leech socks can be helpful.

Leech Socks

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Ticks (arachnids)

Disease vestors of human disease - such as lyme disease, rocky mountain spotted fever, tularemia, equine encephalitis, etc.

Ticks (arachnids)

Ticks (arachnids)

Removal: Use tweezers or special tick pliers and pull the head slowly and steadily.

Do not crush or irritate the tick (by heat or chemical) as it may regurgitate into the wound – risking infection.

Chiggers (arachnids) - the larval stage of Harvest Mite


Contrary to popular belief, chiggers do notburrow under the skin and live there. They pierce the skin and inject digestive enzymes into the skin to break down skin cells and feed on them. This causes severe itching.

Removal: Hot shower and soap as soon as possible after exposure is effective. Also, wading/swimming in salt water will remove chiggers and alleviate itching.

Treatment: Use of medication such as antihistamines or corticosteroid creams can help alleviate itching.

Prevention: Strong insect repellent can help. Wear long pants socks and shoes.


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Botfly (Oestridae)

The botfly, is in the family Oestridae. Life cycles vary according to species, but the larvae of all species are internal parasites of mammals like the human botfly (Dermatobia hominis).

Botfly (Oestridae)

Botflies lay eggs on a host, or sometimes use an intermediate vector like the common housefly, mosquitoes and even a species of tick. Larvae from the eggs, burrow underneath the skin, living there for an eight-week development period before dropping out to pupate for about a week, usually in the soil.

Botfly (Oestridae)

Removal: It has been discovered that venom extractor syringes can remove larvae with ease at any stage of growth.

Also covering the larva's entrance with adhesive tape can cause partial asphixiation and weakening of the larva, but is not recommended because the larva's breathing tube is fragile and would be broken during the removal of the tape, leaving most of the larva behind.

The easiest and most effective way to remove botfly larvae is to apply petroleum jelly or vaseline over the location, which prevents air from reaching the larva, suffocating it. It can then be squeezed out safely.

Mosquitos (Diptera)

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Mosquitos (Diptera)

There are approx 3,500 species of mosquitos.

Most mosquito species are crepuscular (dawn or dusk) feeders.

Both males and females feed on nectar but the females of many species are capable of drinking blood from various animals.

Females need the blood for supplemental nutrition to aid in egg production.

The main mosquito-borne diseases are viral: yellow fever, dengue fever, chikungunya. Mosquitos also transmit malaria parasites.

Mosquitos are estimated to transmit disease to more that 700 million people annually. At least 2 million die annually from these diseases.

Mosquitos (Diptera)

Malaria

Malaria is caused by the parasite of the genus Plasmodium (a eukaryotic protist).

Five species of Plasmodium can infect humans: P. falciparum (which causes the most serious forms of the disease), P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi (causes malaria in macaques but can also infect humans).

All the Plasmodium species causing malaria in humans are transmitted by mosquito species of the genus Anopheles

(most of the viral diseases are carried by the Aedes aegypti).

Following transmission, the Plasmodium parasite spends two weeks to several months in the liver after which time it starts to multiple in the red blood cells, causing symptoms of the disease.

Feb. 9, 2017

Prevention: Strong insect repellent (DEET), clothing to cover skin, and mosquito nets can help reduce mosquito bites.

Malaria prevention: antimalarial medications (prophylaxis) such as mefloquine, malarone, etc. are available.

Mosquito (Diptera)

Treatment: Use of anti-itch medications such

topical lotions or oral meds (benadryl) can help

to alleviate itching due to the body’s immune

response to the bite.

Control: Use of natural predators such as the

dragonfly nymphs, who eat mosquitos at all

stages of development, can be quite

effective in controlling mosquito populations.

(for most bat species, mosquitos make up less

than 1% of their diet)

Mosquitos (Diptera)

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Field Awareness

2. Snakes


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30 Mar 2017 30 Mar 2017

Field Awareness

3. Elephants


Field Awareness

4. Tigers


TIGER VIDEO

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Field Awareness

1. Respect for the Environment

III. Field Study Etiquette

Field Awareness

2. Respect for the Wildlife

- Most universities now require researchers/ students to have their field studies approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC).

- Some scientific organizations have issued policy statements on recommended practices in the field.

Ex. - American Society of Primatologists (ASP) - International Primatological Society (IPS)

“Protection of Primate Health in the Wild” (2000)


Field Awareness

3. Respect for the Local People - Remember.. this is “their” home

Involve them - ask them for information, provide information about your project, etc.


THE END

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R. KYES Observational Techniques Field Study Methods