Centered at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, we are a small group of students, managers and scientists engaged in a collaborative learning project to develop innovative large herd scenarios for exotic hoofstock management.
And so Renee began her project. At first it seemed like a daunting task. I mean, how was she supposed to tell if the plan was working? The animals can’t tell us how they’re feeling and if we’ve screwed up, so what do we do? The answer was simple. Observe them.
By watching the waterbuck we would be able to see for ourselves the direct effect of our actions and if the animals were adapting well to the new management strategy. So Renee designed a method for observing the waterbuck that would standardize the observation strategy for those helping her and also let her collect hard evidence to analyze as well.
Whenever an observer went to observe the waterbuck they took a video camera with them. The observer would concentrate on the dominant male of the herd at the time, so Lucifer for 10 months out of the year and Douglas for the other 2 months, and record their behaviors. For six minutes at a time, the observer would use the video camera and record brief clips called “focals.”
Interspersed between these six minute focals, the observer would have a brief six minute break to observe the dominant male and any other animals around and take notes on their activities.
Sound like fun? It most certainly was. I was fortunate enough to visit Fossil Rim on several occasions and collect some data for Renee. As an intern, this was one of my favorite duties.
It was much better and more fun recording the videos myself then simply taking the videos others had recorded and downloading them onto the computer (one of my other tasks). Not that it was easier. Far from it. Even in the rain and storms we tried to collect data if possible. We needed as much as possible to ensure the credibility of our results.
After we had our videos, we took them back to the lab to analyze them and process the data. We had to go back and review all of the videos, looking for and recording certain behaviors when we saw them. Our focus was on the reproductive behaviors the male displayed towards the females of the herd and the aggressive interactions that occurred between him, Toby, his females, and all of the other animal species around him.
We logged these behaviors into a special chart and then analyzed these numbers statistically to see any changes in behavior before and after the treatment.
Here is an example of the notes that the members of our graduate class recorded on the first day that they learned how to observe the waterbuck on a week-long field trip to assess the long-term effects of the experiment:
AD LIBITUM OBSERVATIONS January 14, 2009
Prior to being approached by the team the animals were feeding on supplemental forage
3:00pm 10 females and 2 males, alert
3:05pm majority of herd lying down again, Toby was still watchful of vehicle
3:10pm untagged female and R549 startled by movement in vehicle
3:15pm untagged juvenile and 0664 feeding in feed/wind shelter
3:20pm all animals in same position
3:25pm untagged alert female lay down
3:30pm End Observation
Tags read include O664 R549 Y63 Y64 Y55 Y?
After observations were concluded we discussed what might influence what was recorded by different observers including: interest, experience, line of sight, physical or equipment limitation (sight) and attention span.
We also discussed the advantages of the ad libitum technique, which included being able to capture more information while keeping an open mind. This helps us to create a set of observable behaviors.
In addition to sharing with you some of the notes we took, I’d also like to share another interesting task I had as intern. Collecting data is an important part of the process, but organizing that data well is crucial in being able to analyze it effectively and easily when the time comes. Organizing this data and condensing it all into one central location was one of my biggest tasks and contributions to the team.
The program that we used to do this, ArcGIS explorer, was really cool. Whenever data was collected by an observer, there were three different pieces of data that were brought back. The first, and most important, were the videos. The second was the ad lib notes that were taken. The last was a map that showed where each video event took place. The ArcGIS program allowed us to combine all three of these pieces of information into one file for easy access. Instead of searching for and opening three separate programs with the necessary information, ArcGIS explorer allowed us to link the videos and the scanned notes directly to a pushpin that marked the site of an event on a GIS map of Fossil Rim. It wasn’t a difficult process and worked really well for Renee whenever she needed to look something up.
If you’re interested in using this program and doing what we did, here are some instructions I wrote up: http://wfsc.tamu.edu/jpackard/scienceinaction/ARCGIS.pdf
A grad student at Tarleton State is studying the relation between ticks and bedding sites. Here is the form he uses. We could also use it for the C2S2 project, because we will be collecting fecal samples and they usually defecate after arising from a bedding site:
We have gone through several revisions of the protocol in adapting it to the Big Herds project. This summer we are working on coming up with a draft that we will pilot with our partner organizations in C2S2 (see link at left).
This week, I have been using a datasheet that Justin piloted with the sable. It has concentric rings marked out around the herd bull. I write in the locations of all the herd members that I can see, so we can record how far away each age class was from the bull at one instant in time, and what subgroups they have formed. It was hard to define a subgroup, so we decided to just write them down on a "map" to provide flexibility in analyzing the data later.
For videos, I am doing 3-min focal individual samples. As appropriate, I zoom out and in so we get a sense of where the focal bull is located in the context of the herd. Usually I wait at least 3 minutes before starting another video sample. However, if the action is good, I often start a second sample again right after ending the previous sample. This would be if the bull is courting or there are some interesting interactions between the bull and the subadult males.
The files are stored on a hard-drive so we can switch between computers. They are saved in the JVC format, .mod. So we will have to convert and compress them to upload to Vimeo for our research team to view.
Amber, the first stage in your training will be to learn to recognize the behaviors of the addax and sable who you will be observing. We can break this down into several steps:
STEP 1: use the binoculars in the gear bag provided by Adam, drive out to the main pasture, locate each of the species and spend at least 15 minutes observing each.
STEP 2: To learn the names of the behaviors for the addax and sable, we need for you to read the following pages in Estes (1991). Table 2.4 (page 18-24) has a list of the behaviors, in the following catgories:
From Chapter 7, read the general stuff about the horse antelope tribe (pages 115-119) and the specifics about sable (123-127). Unless I am overlooking it, Estes does not have specifics about Addax.
STEP 3: Make a list of all the behaviors that you remember seeing in your earlier observations. Use the exact names from Estes table.
STEP 4: in reply to this comment, cut and paste your list of behaviors so we can go over them together.
At beginning of observing the sable the herd was grazing. Eventually a male (not sure ID) began pursuit of a female (not sure ID) that then did responsive urination. The male urine-tested her, displaying flehmen grimace. The male did not pursue further, both began grazing again.
About 11:16AM herd was completely moved to lying under tree off staff road that is perpendicular to staff road in front of clinic.
11:56AM made a Sable Proximity Data Sheet
Ended Observation 12:30PM
Addax
2:40PM Began Observation of Addax near Safari Camp entrance road from tour route
2:43PM All but 629G were up with calves, calves then became vocal and suckled from moms
3PM Males 638G, 635G, and 626G tried to mount the female 586G, eventually only 626 attempted to mount her until she went to lying-out. 626G walked away
3:06PM Male 626G foreleg-lifting to get female 586G up and began pursuit of female, ending in reverse-parallel. Next female 586G went to lying-out again. Male 626G sat right behind her
3:30PM 586G and 626G began pursuit again then while 626G followed 586G (female), the female angle horned the male a couple of times before she was lying-out again
Began observation 6:45AM Located across from clinic Most of the herd was grazing, except for a few calves
6:50AM Female 664B walked towards vehicle (was in car not Fossil Rim truck). She did not approach all the way just heading in general direction and then defecated
6:55AM Female 664B stayed in an alert posture, staring in my direction
6:57AM Male 655R was foreleg-lifting towards Female 652R. Female 652R then did responsive urination that the male tested and displayed Flehmen’s grimace. Male 642Y and Male 6__Y also urine tested female. Male 655R left and Female 652R continued grazing.
7:00AM 652R Female appeared in an alert posture facing the Przewalski horse enclosure with ears directed behind her.
7:03AM Female with no tag shook her head about three times in between grazing, did not appear to be displayed as an Agonistic or Advertising of social status.
7:05AM Took photo of Male 655R fore-leg kicking female with no tag
7:08AM Took another photo as Male 655R attempted to mount Female with no tag, did not appear successful. Female moved.
7:10AM Male 655R attempted to mount Female with no tag again, not sure if was successful due to angle
7:13AM Male 655R lies down
7:15AM End Observation of Sable, about 3/4ths of herd lying and chewing cud
Addax
Began observation 7:30AM Located near Safari camp between fence line and watering hole. Too far to see tags, but several addax grunting and moving towards tour route road.
7:33 AM The Addax group now splitting between original spot and road so relocating to observe group near road.
7:36AM Located at staff road closest to Safari Camp from main tour route road. Group alert and at first approached my vehicle. Appear much more interested in me in my car than in Fossil Rim truck. Male 645G calf tapped Female 426G
7:38AM male 635G and Female 425G showing low-horn presentation while horn-sweeping, then Male 635G chases Female 425G, they re-engage into horn-sweeping then walk off lying by 7:40AM.
7:43AM Male 645G calf lying with Female 426G
7:45AM All of group observing lying, chewing cud. Includes seven adults and one calf: Male calf 645G, Female 426G, Male 635G, Female 425G, Female 629G, Female with no tag or horns, and two others not identified.
7:47AM The rest of the original group near watering hole have walked over including: Female 633G, Female 639G, Male 638G, Female 503G, Female 572G, and Male 626G.
7:50AM Female 503G grunting towards adolescents opposite road to rest of herd that were investigating car: Female 639G, Male 635G, and Female 629G
7:55AM Female 639G rubbing face on car
7:57AM Male 635G nodding/horn-sweeping towards Female 639G, she walks off
7:58AM Female 629G sniffs car and then defecates near right, passenger door
7:59AM Female 503G and Male 626G chasing and snorting at each other
8:00AM Female 629G and Male 638G head butting
8:03AM Female 503G breaks up head butting of 629G and 638G
8:10AM Female 586G joins group watching, heads straight towards car sniffing
8:11AM Female 586G and Male 638G Begin head butting, 638G shoves 586G from car
Amber, excellent observations! For your first two days, this is great detail! I like the way you record the time start and stop. That allows us to keep track of daily observation effort.
Starting a new line with the time an event occurred is good procedure. I like the way you include the ear tags to ID the animals and the concise way that you have described the actions, using the names of the behaviors in the ethogram (Estes 1991).
Our next step in your training will be to start you with the Proximity Data Form. Please download it at:
And so Renee began her project. At first it seemed like a daunting task. I mean, how was she supposed to tell if the plan was working? The animals can’t tell us how they’re feeling and if we’ve screwed up, so what do we do? The answer was simple. Observe them.
ReplyDeleteBy watching the waterbuck we would be able to see for ourselves the direct effect of our actions and if the animals were adapting well to the new management strategy. So Renee designed a method for observing the waterbuck that would standardize the observation strategy for those helping her and also let her collect hard evidence to analyze as well.
Whenever an observer went to observe the waterbuck they took a video camera with them. The observer would concentrate on the dominant male of the herd at the time, so Lucifer for 10 months out of the year and Douglas for the other 2 months, and record their behaviors. For six minutes at a time, the observer would use the video camera and record brief clips called “focals.”
Interspersed between these six minute focals, the observer would have a brief six minute break to observe the dominant male and any other animals around and take notes on their activities.
Sound like fun? It most certainly was. I was fortunate enough to visit Fossil Rim on several occasions and collect some data for Renee. As an intern, this was one of my favorite duties.
It was much better and more fun recording the videos myself then simply taking the videos others had recorded and downloading them onto the computer (one of my other tasks). Not that it was easier. Far from it. Even in the rain and storms we tried to collect data if possible. We needed as much as possible to ensure the credibility of our results.
After we had our videos, we took them back to the lab to analyze them and process the data. We had to go back and review all of the videos, looking for and recording certain behaviors when we saw them. Our focus was on the reproductive behaviors the male displayed towards the females of the herd and the aggressive interactions that occurred between him, Toby, his females, and all of the other animal species around him.
We logged these behaviors into a special chart and then analyzed these numbers statistically to see any changes in behavior before and after the treatment.
Here is an example of the notes that the members of our graduate class recorded on the first day that they learned how to observe the waterbuck on a week-long field trip to assess the long-term effects of the experiment:
ReplyDeleteAD LIBITUM OBSERVATIONS January 14, 2009
Prior to being approached by the team the animals were feeding on supplemental forage
3:00pm 10 females and 2 males, alert
3:05pm majority of herd lying down again, Toby was still watchful of vehicle
3:10pm untagged female and R549 startled by movement in vehicle
3:15pm untagged juvenile and 0664 feeding in feed/wind shelter
3:20pm all animals in same position
3:25pm untagged alert female lay down
3:30pm End Observation
Tags read include
O664
R549
Y63
Y64
Y55
Y?
After observations were concluded we discussed what might influence what was recorded by different observers including: interest, experience, line of sight, physical or equipment limitation (sight) and attention span.
We also discussed the advantages of the ad libitum technique, which included being able to capture more information while keeping an open mind. This helps us to create a set of observable behaviors.
In addition to sharing with you some of the notes we took, I’d also like to share another interesting task I had as intern. Collecting data is an important part of the process, but organizing that data well is crucial in being able to analyze it effectively and easily when the time comes. Organizing this data and condensing it all into one central location was one of my biggest tasks and contributions to the team.
ReplyDeleteThe program that we used to do this, ArcGIS explorer, was really cool. Whenever data was collected by an observer, there were three different pieces of data that were brought back. The first, and most important, were the videos. The second was the ad lib notes that were taken. The last was a map that showed where each video event took place. The ArcGIS program allowed us to combine all three of these pieces of information into one file for easy access. Instead of searching for and opening three separate programs with the necessary information, ArcGIS explorer allowed us to link the videos and the scanned notes directly to a pushpin that marked the site of an event on a GIS map of Fossil Rim. It wasn’t a difficult process and worked really well for Renee whenever she needed to look something up.
If you’re interested in using this program and doing what we did, here are some instructions I wrote up:
http://wfsc.tamu.edu/jpackard/scienceinaction/ARCGIS.pdf
You can learn much more about the details of Renee's procedures from her class project and thesis:
ReplyDelete1. class project: http://wfsc.tamu.edu/jpackard/share/reports/BS10-01.pdf
2. thesis: http://wfsc.tamu.edu/jpackard/share/mypubs/Jones2010.pdf
Here is a link to the protocol that Justin revised for the sable:
http://wfsc.tamu.edu/jpackard/scienceinaction/C2S2protocol(behavior)20090921.doc
Peta asked where to find the data sheet for the protocol.
ReplyDeleteHere are some links to datasheets. You may want to edit them to suit your needs:
ReplyDeletehttp://wfsc.tamu.edu/jpackard/scienceinaction/form1_instant.pdf
http://wfsc.tamu.edu/jpackard/scienceinaction/form2_courtship.pdf
http://wfsc.tamu.edu/jpackard/scienceinaction/form1_focal.pdf
We are going to be switching over to the JWatcher way of quantifying behavior for the Big Herds project:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jwatcher.ucla.edu/index.htm
Our textbook will be (available from Amazon textbooks and in a Kindle format):
ReplyDeleteBlumstein, D.T. and Daniel, J.C. 2007. Quantifying Behavior the JWatcher Way. Sinauer Press. QL751.65
ISBN 978-0-87893-047-0
Here are two data forms. Justin used this one to record proximity of herd members to the breeding bull in the sable herd:
ReplyDeletehttp://wfsc.tamu.edu/jpackard/scienceinaction/form_proximity_sable.docx
A grad student at Tarleton State is studying the relation between ticks and bedding sites. Here is the form he uses. We could also use it for the C2S2 project, because we will be collecting fecal samples and they usually defecate after arising from a bedding site:
http://wfsc.tamu.edu/jpackard/scienceinaction/form_bed_FRMP.doc
We have gone through several revisions of the protocol in adapting it to the Big Herds project. This summer we are working on coming up with a draft that we will pilot with our partner organizations in C2S2 (see link at left).
ReplyDeleteThis week, I have been using a datasheet that Justin piloted with the sable. It has concentric rings marked out around the herd bull. I write in the locations of all the herd members that I can see, so we can record how far away each age class was from the bull at one instant in time, and what subgroups they have formed. It was hard to define a subgroup, so we decided to just write them down on a "map" to provide flexibility in analyzing the data later.
For videos, I am doing 3-min focal individual samples. As appropriate, I zoom out and in so we get a sense of where the focal bull is located in the context of the herd. Usually I wait at least 3 minutes before starting another video sample. However, if the action is good, I often start a second sample again right after ending the previous sample. This would be if the bull is courting or there are some interesting interactions between the bull and the subadult males.
The files are stored on a hard-drive so we can switch between computers. They are saved in the JVC format, .mod. So we will have to convert and compress them to upload to Vimeo for our research team to view.
Amber, the first stage in your training will be to learn to recognize the behaviors of the addax and sable who you will be observing. We can break this down into several steps:
ReplyDeleteSTEP 1: use the binoculars in the gear bag provided by Adam, drive out to the main pasture, locate each of the species and spend at least 15 minutes observing each.
STEP 2: To learn the names of the behaviors for the addax and sable, we need for you to read the following pages in Estes (1991). Table 2.4 (page 18-24) has a list of the behaviors, in the following catgories:
ADVERTISING SOCIAL STATUS
AGONISTIC- Dominance Displays
AGONISTIC- Offensive Threat
AGONISTIC- Defensive Threat
AGONISTIC- Submissive
DISPLACEMENT ACTIVITIES
COURTSHIP- Assess
COURTSHIP- Pursuit
COURTSHIP- Estrous
ALERTING/ALARM
From Chapter 7, read the general stuff about the horse antelope tribe (pages 115-119) and the specifics about sable (123-127). Unless I am overlooking it, Estes does not have specifics about Addax.
STEP 3: Make a list of all the behaviors that you remember seeing in your earlier observations. Use the exact names from Estes table.
STEP 4: in reply to this comment, cut and paste your list of behaviors so we can go over them together.
STEP 5: call me on my office phone: 979-845-1465
Amber Wiedeman: First Observations
ReplyDeleteSable
9AM Began Observation
At beginning of observing the sable the herd was grazing. Eventually a male (not sure ID) began pursuit of a female (not sure ID) that then did responsive urination. The male urine-tested her, displaying flehmen grimace. The male did not pursue further, both began grazing again.
About 11:16AM herd was completely moved to lying under tree off staff road that is perpendicular to staff road in front of clinic.
11:56AM made a Sable Proximity Data Sheet
Ended Observation 12:30PM
Addax
2:40PM Began Observation of Addax near Safari Camp entrance road from tour route
2:43PM All but 629G were up with calves, calves then became vocal and suckled from moms
3PM Males 638G, 635G, and 626G tried to mount the female 586G, eventually only 626 attempted to mount her until she went to lying-out. 626G walked away
3:06PM Male 626G foreleg-lifting to get female 586G up and began pursuit of female, ending in reverse-parallel. Next female 586G went to lying-out again. Male 626G sat right behind her
3:30PM 586G and 626G began pursuit again then while 626G followed 586G (female), the female angle horned the male a couple of times before she was lying-out again
4:17PM No movement from last spot recorded
4:20PM ended Observation
Sable
ReplyDeleteBegan observation 6:45AM
Located across from clinic
Most of the herd was grazing, except for a few calves
6:50AM Female 664B walked towards vehicle (was in car not Fossil Rim truck). She did not approach all the way just heading in general direction and then defecated
6:55AM Female 664B stayed in an alert posture, staring in my direction
6:57AM Male 655R was foreleg-lifting towards Female 652R. Female 652R then did responsive urination that the male tested and displayed Flehmen’s grimace. Male 642Y and Male 6__Y also urine tested female. Male 655R left and Female 652R continued grazing.
7:00AM 652R Female appeared in an alert posture facing the Przewalski horse enclosure with ears directed behind her.
7:03AM Female with no tag shook her head about three times in between grazing, did not appear to be displayed as an Agonistic or Advertising of social status.
7:05AM Took photo of Male 655R fore-leg kicking female with no tag
7:08AM Took another photo as Male 655R attempted to mount Female with no tag, did not appear successful. Female moved.
7:10AM Male 655R attempted to mount Female with no tag again, not sure if was successful due to angle
7:13AM Male 655R lies down
7:15AM End Observation of Sable, about 3/4ths of herd lying and chewing cud
Addax
Began observation 7:30AM
Located near Safari camp between fence line and watering hole.
Too far to see tags, but several addax grunting and moving towards tour route road.
7:33 AM The Addax group now splitting between original spot and road so relocating to observe group near road.
7:36AM Located at staff road closest to Safari Camp from main tour route road. Group alert and at first approached my vehicle. Appear much more interested in me in my car than in Fossil Rim truck. Male 645G calf tapped Female 426G
7:38AM male 635G and Female 425G showing low-horn presentation while horn-sweeping, then Male 635G chases Female 425G, they re-engage into horn-sweeping then walk off lying by 7:40AM.
7:43AM Male 645G calf lying with Female 426G
7:45AM All of group observing lying, chewing cud. Includes seven adults and one calf: Male calf 645G, Female 426G, Male 635G, Female 425G, Female 629G, Female with no tag or horns, and two others not identified.
7:47AM The rest of the original group near watering hole have walked over including: Female 633G, Female 639G, Male 638G, Female 503G, Female 572G, and Male 626G.
7:50AM Female 503G grunting towards adolescents opposite road to rest of herd that were investigating car: Female 639G, Male 635G, and Female 629G
7:55AM Female 639G rubbing face on car
7:57AM Male 635G nodding/horn-sweeping towards Female 639G, she walks off
7:58AM Female 629G sniffs car and then defecates near right, passenger door
7:59AM Female 503G and Male 626G chasing and snorting at each other
8:00AM Female 629G and Male 638G head butting
8:03AM Female 503G breaks up head butting of 629G and 638G
8:10AM Female 586G joins group watching, heads straight towards car sniffing
8:11AM Female 586G and Male 638G Begin head butting, 638G shoves 586G from car
8:15AM End Observation of Addax
Amber, excellent observations! For your first two days, this is great detail! I like the way you record the time start and stop. That allows us to keep track of daily observation effort.
ReplyDeleteStarting a new line with the time an event occurred is good procedure. I like the way you include the ear tags to ID the animals and the concise way that you have described the actions, using the names of the behaviors in the ethogram (Estes 1991).
Our next step in your training will be to start you with the Proximity Data Form. Please download it at:
http://wfsc.tamu.edu/jpackard/scienceinaction/form_proximity.docx
Print two copies, read the protocol instructions, and fill out one form for the sable and one form for the addax during your next observation period.
Note which parts of the protocol were confusing or need editing. Lets talk about it when I arrive at Fossil Rim tomorrow!