After a two week delay I made it back to the U.S. and home in Wisconsin on the 16th of December. During my wait in Bangkok I finished up a new draft of my dissertation proposal, wrote a proposal for a Smithsonian Fellowship (due in January), and updated my personal website.
I continue to work on two manuscripts using camera trap data from Khao Yai National Park. From January 12-19, I plan to spend a week at the Smithsonian’s Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia to put the final touches on the first manuscript.
Sometime between January 13th and the 18th I would like to arrange for a full committee meeting at UMass; however, the travel arrangements and dates are pending.
I will return to Thailand on January 22nd in time to attend a Clouded Leopard Workshop (sponsored by the Smithsonian). My fieldwork schedule for the year is contingent upon funding.
Smile Salon
I’ve never had good hair. It’s not strong and sleek or curly and bouncy. My hair is fine and limp. Regardless, I’ve gotten a couple of nice cuts from women running beauty parlors out of the front of their homes. These tiny establishments are just as setup as the big-name hair salons with reclining chairs over sinks for washing and the helmet concoctions for drying. With my limited Thai vocabulary it was only a slight challenge to convey what kind of cut I came in for. I even learned the catch-phrase, “splice” for the technique they use to give the effect of a bit of shorter strands of hair framing my face. And of course, it makes me feel good to have the Thai women ooh and aah over the softness of my blond hair with comparisons to doll hair. So, I was perfectly content to seek out a cut and style in Thailand before returning home to see friends and family for Christmas.
Now, beauty parlors in my neighborhood of Huay Kwang seem to be seen as a path to easy money. I am not exaggerating when I say there are store fronts every 50 meters for blocks. I don’t know how they all stay in business. But, I had my pick of places with names like “Lushy,” “Smile Salon,” and “New-New.” Smile Salon. That sounds happy (plus, there was a group of staff visible from the window who seemed seriously immersed in someone’s highlight choices). Good, why not try something new? They got out the picture book and I pointed to a model with lovely flowing locks of soft waves. “We can do that…very pretty,” I was assured. I sat back for the ride. The shampoo was flowery and included a scalp massage. The cut looked fine, though was that too much off the sides? Curlers and then wrapping my head with saran wrap. As I waited for the chemicals to sink in, my hair dresser started up conversation and wanted to know all of my favorite Thai foods. She promptly marched down the street to buy me Somtom from a vender. Was she trying to get me on her good side? Did she know something I didn’t know?
Long story short…3 hours later..: The wrap came off, I was rinsed and half-dried and ended up looking like a shaggy mop from the 80s. The perm didn’t take and the cut (while probably nice for a Thai with straight and heavy hair) fell flat. A disaster. The staff tried to reassure me with their best smiles, coaching me on how to twirl the hair around my finger until it dried and had some lift. No. I was so horrified. The next day I went to the shop across the street and tried to get the layers evened out. So, not by design, but by default, I’m coming home with a short bob. Yup, that’s why I stick to ponytails.
Now, beauty parlors in my neighborhood of Huay Kwang seem to be seen as a path to easy money. I am not exaggerating when I say there are store fronts every 50 meters for blocks. I don’t know how they all stay in business. But, I had my pick of places with names like “Lushy,” “Smile Salon,” and “New-New.” Smile Salon. That sounds happy (plus, there was a group of staff visible from the window who seemed seriously immersed in someone’s highlight choices). Good, why not try something new? They got out the picture book and I pointed to a model with lovely flowing locks of soft waves. “We can do that…very pretty,” I was assured. I sat back for the ride. The shampoo was flowery and included a scalp massage. The cut looked fine, though was that too much off the sides? Curlers and then wrapping my head with saran wrap. As I waited for the chemicals to sink in, my hair dresser started up conversation and wanted to know all of my favorite Thai foods. She promptly marched down the street to buy me Somtom from a vender. Was she trying to get me on her good side? Did she know something I didn’t know?
Long story short…3 hours later..: The wrap came off, I was rinsed and half-dried and ended up looking like a shaggy mop from the 80s. The perm didn’t take and the cut (while probably nice for a Thai with straight and heavy hair) fell flat. A disaster. The staff tried to reassure me with their best smiles, coaching me on how to twirl the hair around my finger until it dried and had some lift. No. I was so horrified. The next day I went to the shop across the street and tried to get the layers evened out. So, not by design, but by default, I’m coming home with a short bob. Yup, that’s why I stick to ponytails.
Yellow Shirts
The government is still in the process of negotiations with anti-government protesters ("yellow-shirts") that have shut down the country’s airports. I was looking forward to a break to the U.S., which is now delayed.
In November we continued to pre-bait our traps with fish heads and any road kill. On the 6th, a group of 5 dholes was seen by army rangers when the dholes crossed the road near a checkpoint. We examined the site and found multiple dhole tracks and a bear track. An individual dhole was also spotted by my field assistant on the 25th.
I attended a Dry Forest Workshop at Kasetsart University which gave me an opportunity to see how different researchers approached the task of delineating reliable maps for use in monitoring these forests. There was also discussion about the role of fire in these ecosystems. Most importantly, I used the time to catch-up with other research contacts working in Thailand.
My adviser from the Smithsonian, Dr. Peter Leimgruber, travelled to my study site, Khao Ang Rue Nai, to check out the area and meet the sanctuary chief. We continue to work together on a manuscript on the importance of long-term monitoring in Khao Yai National Park (camera trap data).
I submitted an NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant through UMass in November; however, the biggest hurdle to my project right now is funding. My Fulbright grant (starting in January) will cover basic living expenses for me, but has only a $100/month field budget. I have no grants to cover field equipment for next year.
My plan is now to travel to the U.S. on Dec. 16th and return to Thailand mid-January. In early December I plan to finalize my dissertation proposal and continue analyzing data and writing two manuscripts from my Khao Yai data.
In November we continued to pre-bait our traps with fish heads and any road kill. On the 6th, a group of 5 dholes was seen by army rangers when the dholes crossed the road near a checkpoint. We examined the site and found multiple dhole tracks and a bear track. An individual dhole was also spotted by my field assistant on the 25th.
I attended a Dry Forest Workshop at Kasetsart University which gave me an opportunity to see how different researchers approached the task of delineating reliable maps for use in monitoring these forests. There was also discussion about the role of fire in these ecosystems. Most importantly, I used the time to catch-up with other research contacts working in Thailand.
My adviser from the Smithsonian, Dr. Peter Leimgruber, travelled to my study site, Khao Ang Rue Nai, to check out the area and meet the sanctuary chief. We continue to work together on a manuscript on the importance of long-term monitoring in Khao Yai National Park (camera trap data).
I submitted an NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant through UMass in November; however, the biggest hurdle to my project right now is funding. My Fulbright grant (starting in January) will cover basic living expenses for me, but has only a $100/month field budget. I have no grants to cover field equipment for next year.
My plan is now to travel to the U.S. on Dec. 16th and return to Thailand mid-January. In early December I plan to finalize my dissertation proposal and continue analyzing data and writing two manuscripts from my Khao Yai data.
Paperwork
October field work in Khao Ang Rue Nai progressed as usual. I set up 3 cameras in the forest with weasel scent and got a strong response from domestic dogs in the area. They revisited and rolled in the lure for up to a week. This was the first time I got any indication of how long the scent lures may be sticking around as an attractant. We set up 6 box traps in the forest with the doors removed and will begin pre-baiting this week.
I met with two committee members, Drs. Peter Leimgruber and Nucharin Songsasen, in Bangkok to assess our funding situation and plan details of the domestic dog disease study. Dr. Songsasen travelled to the sanctuary this week to see the site and organize help from a local vet for trapping. The manufacturing of our GPS collars has been delayed and we are now planning to open the traps in January.
This month I completed the paperwork for UMass IACUC and Institutional Review Board for interview permissions for a domestic dog survey. I also submitted a grant proposal to the Taronga Zoo in Australia.
In November I plan to submit an NSF DDIG, continue pre-baiting the traps, and attend a Dry Forest Symposium. I will tentatively be in the U.S. for all of December.
I met with two committee members, Drs. Peter Leimgruber and Nucharin Songsasen, in Bangkok to assess our funding situation and plan details of the domestic dog disease study. Dr. Songsasen travelled to the sanctuary this week to see the site and organize help from a local vet for trapping. The manufacturing of our GPS collars has been delayed and we are now planning to open the traps in January.
This month I completed the paperwork for UMass IACUC and Institutional Review Board for interview permissions for a domestic dog survey. I also submitted a grant proposal to the Taronga Zoo in Australia.
In November I plan to submit an NSF DDIG, continue pre-baiting the traps, and attend a Dry Forest Symposium. I will tentatively be in the U.S. for all of December.
Got the Fulbright!
This month was slow in the field and I continued camera trapping in heavy rains and flooding. Early in September my field assistant spotted a lone dhole chasing a sambar deer on the road leading to our housing. Just a week ago, rangers reported hearing a pack of dholes in the same vicinity. I plan to scrounge together my working cameras and concentrate on this area.
I work with a Thai university student who is project coordinator for the Smithsonian. He organized a workshop on sustainable society and we hosted a group of university students for a weekend of camping and interviewing villagers. I participated in and gave a presentation at their workshop.
I kept myself busy reading journal articles to try to narrow down a focus for an NSF DDIG (due in November). I am also taking two classes this school semester: Readings in GIS and Ecological Modeling in R. The professor is working with me remotely; however, it was too expensive for me to register for credit.
And the Good news: I received a Fulbright grant! The grant will cover expenses of about US $10,000 for a ten month period. As part of the program, I am also required to enroll in a Thai language course.
We have 6 box-traps built and ready to deploy next month. I am still working on research permits for the study of domestic dog disease spillover.
I work with a Thai university student who is project coordinator for the Smithsonian. He organized a workshop on sustainable society and we hosted a group of university students for a weekend of camping and interviewing villagers. I participated in and gave a presentation at their workshop.
I kept myself busy reading journal articles to try to narrow down a focus for an NSF DDIG (due in November). I am also taking two classes this school semester: Readings in GIS and Ecological Modeling in R. The professor is working with me remotely; however, it was too expensive for me to register for credit.
And the Good news: I received a Fulbright grant! The grant will cover expenses of about US $10,000 for a ten month period. As part of the program, I am also required to enroll in a Thai language course.
We have 6 box-traps built and ready to deploy next month. I am still working on research permits for the study of domestic dog disease spillover.
Ants to Elephants
This August I committed myself to problem-solving tasks. To increase the life of my camera traps I tested methods (including sticky glue to catch mice) to prevent ant invasions. I also looked into the purchase of materials to build “elephant proof” protective housings for the cameras. I have only found shops selling heavy steel, so it will take more time to buy metal for my purpose. We did buy supplies to build 6 box-traps in preparation for dhole trapping.
On the camera trap side of things, I baited with a road-killed sambar deer late in the month, but only captured photos of large monitor lizards.
This month I tested GPS tracking keys. They are made for vehicle tracking, so I have to play with the settings to get them to work correctly for my use (domestic dogs). So far I have not had success with the GPS keys. One brand is not recognized by my computer and I need to spend some time to mess around with the USB drivers. I did a 10 day test of the Trackstick brand on a domestic dog. I tested the key beforehand with me walking and was able to map points easily in Google Earth; however, the memory was blank when I retrieved it from the dog! This may have been due to the settings because I set it to record every 15 minutes instead of every 15 seconds. Also, the silica caulk around the seams got rubbed off and the batteries were wet. The dog's owner told me that he saw a flashing red light for 3 days and then no light. A red light indicates the unit is not able to take a GPS fix. And, it does not sound promising that the batteries may have died after 3 days. I am drying the Trackstick with silica gel and will try another dog test. The stick's batteries are supposed to last a week, but this is considering a vehicle that may only be in motion 3 hours a day. As an alternative, I am in contact with companies that make wildlife telemetry collars to see who can make a very basic and cheap GPS collar.
To tackle funding, we prepared and sent proposals to San Diego Wild Animal Park and the Smithsonian Endowment Fund. From my appeals to zoo list servers, I was contacted about a funding opportunity at Taronga Zoo in Australia (due date end of October).
In September I will continue my camera trapping efforts and prepare the logistics for dhole trapping. I am also working on a proposal and forms to collect anal sac secretions from dholes at San Diego to make a trapping lure.
On the camera trap side of things, I baited with a road-killed sambar deer late in the month, but only captured photos of large monitor lizards.
This month I tested GPS tracking keys. They are made for vehicle tracking, so I have to play with the settings to get them to work correctly for my use (domestic dogs). So far I have not had success with the GPS keys. One brand is not recognized by my computer and I need to spend some time to mess around with the USB drivers. I did a 10 day test of the Trackstick brand on a domestic dog. I tested the key beforehand with me walking and was able to map points easily in Google Earth; however, the memory was blank when I retrieved it from the dog! This may have been due to the settings because I set it to record every 15 minutes instead of every 15 seconds. Also, the silica caulk around the seams got rubbed off and the batteries were wet. The dog's owner told me that he saw a flashing red light for 3 days and then no light. A red light indicates the unit is not able to take a GPS fix. And, it does not sound promising that the batteries may have died after 3 days. I am drying the Trackstick with silica gel and will try another dog test. The stick's batteries are supposed to last a week, but this is considering a vehicle that may only be in motion 3 hours a day. As an alternative, I am in contact with companies that make wildlife telemetry collars to see who can make a very basic and cheap GPS collar.
To tackle funding, we prepared and sent proposals to San Diego Wild Animal Park and the Smithsonian Endowment Fund. From my appeals to zoo list servers, I was contacted about a funding opportunity at Taronga Zoo in Australia (due date end of October).
In September I will continue my camera trapping efforts and prepare the logistics for dhole trapping. I am also working on a proposal and forms to collect anal sac secretions from dholes at San Diego to make a trapping lure.
Scorpion Tales
My room has become my enemy, not the haven it should be. Almost midnight. I can’t sleep because I don’t know WHERE to sleep. I was trying to fall asleep on bare concrete after I ditched my mattress earlier. I rolled over to turn off my music and in the blue glow of my MP3 player a shape emerged, a foreign shadow not supposed to be there – a scorpion!! This was inches from my face! Combined with my stress and loneliness and lack of sleep, it sent me into a panic attack after I safely swept the thing out of my room (me in bare feet).
This was the THIRD scorpion today. In the afternoon I was reading on my mattress (really two foam cushions on the floor). The electricity went out and as I stood up to turn off my computer I nearly stepped on that unfamiliar shape…which took my brain a fraction to identify…scorpion! I tried to keep it in the flashlight beam (remember the lights are out), but of course that just scared it scurrying away to mysteriously disappear in the folds of my cushions. I poked around to find it and made a frantic sweep of my room. No sign. Great—even worse not knowing where it was. I guessed it hid up into the internal grassy matting of my mattress as it is all ripped up and old. I gingerly escorted the mattress out of my bedroom. Hence, I was left sleeping on concrete. I did a thorough sweep of the room and no bugs, no spiders, no creepy crawlers. Ok.
But, then talking on the phone later, I was pacing around my room, closed the door, and lo and behold, what was on the other side? Scorpion! This one I sprayed with bug repellent.
Back to now, midnight. How am I going to sleep? Sitting on a chair? I feel surrounded. I am not a spider person, but I deal. I don’t deal well with dangerous stinging things next to my face.
~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning I dutifully wrote out the Thai script for scorpion (pronounced maeng bong) copied from my dictionary. I wanted to be sure the sanctuary staff understood my night. At breakfast in case my verbal pronunciation was off, I gave Yaai the sheet. She got a kick out of it and showed everyone all day my “problem.” They confirmed with the rains the scorpions come inside (but I had yet to see any up to this point). Everyone said just kill them (fine), but I want to know how to prevent myself from rolling onto one in the middle of the night!
~~~~~~~~~~
After all of this, I ended up getting stung anyway….by a swarm of bees in the forest during fieldwork!
This was the THIRD scorpion today. In the afternoon I was reading on my mattress (really two foam cushions on the floor). The electricity went out and as I stood up to turn off my computer I nearly stepped on that unfamiliar shape…which took my brain a fraction to identify…scorpion! I tried to keep it in the flashlight beam (remember the lights are out), but of course that just scared it scurrying away to mysteriously disappear in the folds of my cushions. I poked around to find it and made a frantic sweep of my room. No sign. Great—even worse not knowing where it was. I guessed it hid up into the internal grassy matting of my mattress as it is all ripped up and old. I gingerly escorted the mattress out of my bedroom. Hence, I was left sleeping on concrete. I did a thorough sweep of the room and no bugs, no spiders, no creepy crawlers. Ok.
But, then talking on the phone later, I was pacing around my room, closed the door, and lo and behold, what was on the other side? Scorpion! This one I sprayed with bug repellent.
Back to now, midnight. How am I going to sleep? Sitting on a chair? I feel surrounded. I am not a spider person, but I deal. I don’t deal well with dangerous stinging things next to my face.
~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning I dutifully wrote out the Thai script for scorpion (pronounced maeng bong) copied from my dictionary. I wanted to be sure the sanctuary staff understood my night. At breakfast in case my verbal pronunciation was off, I gave Yaai the sheet. She got a kick out of it and showed everyone all day my “problem.” They confirmed with the rains the scorpions come inside (but I had yet to see any up to this point). Everyone said just kill them (fine), but I want to know how to prevent myself from rolling onto one in the middle of the night!
~~~~~~~~~~
After all of this, I ended up getting stung anyway….by a swarm of bees in the forest during fieldwork!
Malaria?
I’ve been sick for over a week with a high temperature (39C), chills and sweats. Aching, sick to my stomach, headache. I finally conceded and had the sanctuary staff drive me to the local clinic. The doctor was convinced I had malaria. She drew blood not to check yes or no, but to test the TYPE of malaria for treatment. Yet, the test was negative and I was sent home with antibiotics. Good thing they are cheap here: $10 for the whole shebang.
Fieldwork has been slow this month as I was down to 1 working camera and sick.
As for the camera situation, I found a dry box, and packed with silica gel for a week some of my film cameras started tentatively working again. We did purchase 5 new digital camera traps that I received yesterday. This digital model also has the ability to take short video.
I have been in contact with an organization called Care for The Wild about potentially funding the purchase of additional camera traps. I also put out an appeal in a ZooNews Digest listserv and directly contacted zoos housing dholes. To date there has been no change in my Fulbright status, so I am still on the list of alternate candidates.
In August I will continue my camera trapping efforts and attempt to attract dholes with various “squeakers” and prey calls.
Do You Want the Good News or the Bad News?
My efforts in June focused on searching forest trails for dhole footprints/feces and also playing dhole and prey distress calls in areas. I was pleased that Sawai, the sanctuary chief of research, came out in the field with me when we sat in a tree platform to play the sounds. I am receiving full support from him and his team of research assistants for my work. We are also driving a path in the morning to stop and play the sounds, then checking for tracks the following morning. I am waiting for dhole urine from a zoo to see if that will act as an attractant.
Good news: As you saw, this month we captured photos of a dhole pack in Khao Ang Rue Nai which confirmed that dholes are breeding in the sanctuary.
Bad news: It seems the forest spirits had it in for me this month.
I now have only 3 working cameras. This last period, I lost two cameras to elephants and the rest have broken infrared sensors. This is despite my efforts with silica caulk and silica gel to keep the insides dry. I have spent days tracking down a repair man in Bangkok, but no one is willing to touch the unfamiliar cameras.
I am continuously looking for new funding opportunities. I just learned that I was chosen as an alternate candidate for a Fulbright. This means that I will receive a grant if a principal candidate declines the offer of a grant or if funds become available for additional grants. I contacted Fulbright directly and am waiting to hear an update about my status.
I have not started the process of amending our current permits. I will do this in July to include the study of potential domestic dog disease exposure to dholes. I will also continue my efforts in the field searching for dhole sign.
Good news: As you saw, this month we captured photos of a dhole pack in Khao Ang Rue Nai which confirmed that dholes are breeding in the sanctuary.
Bad news: It seems the forest spirits had it in for me this month.
I now have only 3 working cameras. This last period, I lost two cameras to elephants and the rest have broken infrared sensors. This is despite my efforts with silica caulk and silica gel to keep the insides dry. I have spent days tracking down a repair man in Bangkok, but no one is willing to touch the unfamiliar cameras.
I am continuously looking for new funding opportunities. I just learned that I was chosen as an alternate candidate for a Fulbright. This means that I will receive a grant if a principal candidate declines the offer of a grant or if funds become available for additional grants. I contacted Fulbright directly and am waiting to hear an update about my status.
I have not started the process of amending our current permits. I will do this in July to include the study of potential domestic dog disease exposure to dholes. I will also continue my efforts in the field searching for dhole sign.
A Six Pack!
I have dhole photos! A small pack of 6 caught with a camera trap. There is a female missing her tail which will come in handy for future photo identifications. Furthermore, photos of pups confirm that dholes are breeding in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary.
9=3 What?
After being in Bangkok for most of May, I finally made it back to the sanctuary 2 weeks after I originally planned. The barriers? First, the public bus wouldn't take my heavy crate full of equipment and batteries. So, I had to arrange to borrow a truck and hire a driver. This is of course a scheduling nightmare. Then, the opportunity came up to go back with workers from the sanctuary who were in Bangkok for a meeting. So, I canceled my driver. But, this is Thailand, and as always, the plans changed and fell through. Ok--rehire the driver. The trip ended up costing me over $200 when the bus would have been $5.
And, I arranged to pickup Yaai (the woman who cooks meals for me) on the way back. I was happy to be able to help her because she has been super sweet helping me get settled in my new environment. Over multiple phone conservations and change of plans, we finally got it settled. I would pick her up with my rental truck at 3pm. I was proud of myself for handling the phone conservations and not passing it off on my Smithsonian translator. Then, the morning of, Yaai called me at 9am wondering where I was. I was still sleeping and not fully clear and reiterated our 3pm meeting time. She called again 1 hour later to say she was getting a bite to eat. Ok. And I need to know this why? And then, 2 hours later, again wondering where I was. 3pm in Thai is "bpai saam mong." 9am in Thai is "saam mong." I thought I said 3pm, Yaai thought 9am. We never used the other words to clarify morning or afternoon. Oh. I felt awful. I should have clarified. I really felt awful. I wanted to do something good and helpful. And, I was angry at myself for being in Thailand so long and yet I still can't do something as basic as make phone plans!
I spent my birthday on Monday setting up cameras in the forest and caked with mud (we got the truck stuck for over an hour). Then, when I most needed a shower, my water pipe broke and I had to wait for a trip to the market for caulk.
Everyone here is hit hard by the cost of gas (now over $1.30 US per Liter) and the price of rice.
And, I arranged to pickup Yaai (the woman who cooks meals for me) on the way back. I was happy to be able to help her because she has been super sweet helping me get settled in my new environment. Over multiple phone conservations and change of plans, we finally got it settled. I would pick her up with my rental truck at 3pm. I was proud of myself for handling the phone conservations and not passing it off on my Smithsonian translator. Then, the morning of, Yaai called me at 9am wondering where I was. I was still sleeping and not fully clear and reiterated our 3pm meeting time. She called again 1 hour later to say she was getting a bite to eat. Ok. And I need to know this why? And then, 2 hours later, again wondering where I was. 3pm in Thai is "bpai saam mong." 9am in Thai is "saam mong." I thought I said 3pm, Yaai thought 9am. We never used the other words to clarify morning or afternoon. Oh. I felt awful. I should have clarified. I really felt awful. I wanted to do something good and helpful. And, I was angry at myself for being in Thailand so long and yet I still can't do something as basic as make phone plans!
I spent my birthday on Monday setting up cameras in the forest and caked with mud (we got the truck stuck for over an hour). Then, when I most needed a shower, my water pipe broke and I had to wait for a trip to the market for caulk.
Everyone here is hit hard by the cost of gas (now over $1.30 US per Liter) and the price of rice.
More Camera Woes
This month I continued my camera trap efforts to obtain confirmation of dholes in Khao Ang Rue Nai. The road kill barking deer and hog badger carcasses only attracted monitor lizards. Both carcasses (bones and all) were completely gone from the areas when we picked up cameras after two weeks. Yet, I had only one or two photos. This indicates the cameras’ infrared detection is not responding quickly.
We recently purchased 5 digital cameras. I look forward to testing them in the field in June. I will also increase my time in the forest looking for dhole sign (footprints, feces). I will identify a survey trail near water reservoirs (where dholes were seen in February of this year) and walk it daily.
I am working on a second revision of my dissertation proposal draft and including a new research direction. Concurrent with my ongoing ecological study of dholes in the sanctuary, I also plan to evaluate the risk that domestic dogs represent to the health of dholes. This will give me data without having to rely on the small chance that we can catch dholes. To evaluate the risk of disease spill-over from domestic dogs to dholes at KARN, I will measure both species exposure to pathogens and estimate the contact rates of domestic dogs and dholes by radio-collaring domestic dogs.
The biggest hurdle to this plan is research permits. In June I will begin the process of amending our current permits or applying for new project permits.
We recently purchased 5 digital cameras. I look forward to testing them in the field in June. I will also increase my time in the forest looking for dhole sign (footprints, feces). I will identify a survey trail near water reservoirs (where dholes were seen in February of this year) and walk it daily.
I am working on a second revision of my dissertation proposal draft and including a new research direction. Concurrent with my ongoing ecological study of dholes in the sanctuary, I also plan to evaluate the risk that domestic dogs represent to the health of dholes. This will give me data without having to rely on the small chance that we can catch dholes. To evaluate the risk of disease spill-over from domestic dogs to dholes at KARN, I will measure both species exposure to pathogens and estimate the contact rates of domestic dogs and dholes by radio-collaring domestic dogs.
The biggest hurdle to this plan is research permits. In June I will begin the process of amending our current permits or applying for new project permits.
Camera Catastrophe
This month I setup camera traps at 32 locations in an effort to document dholes in Khao Ang Rue Nai. We placed the cameras in areas where we found dhole or prey sign (I have seen no dholes). After a combined 81 trap nights of the cameras in the forest, the picture is grim: 1 mongoose, 1 monitor lizard, 3 elephants (in a sanctuary that is over-run with elephants), 8 sambar deer, and 8 barking deer. However, I have yet to develop the film from cameras setup with road-kill deer parts as bait, so maybe…
I am extremely frustrated with my equipment. I am using second-hand Camtrakker models (film cameras) that are not made to withstand the rigors of the tropical forest. Furthermore, film is rapidly getting harder to find and have developed. It is now the beginning of the rainy season and the humidity and moisture is already a problem. I am rapidly losing camera traps. I started with 18 working cameras. I am down to 7! (6 have problems with the infrared beam (most likely due to humidity), 3 were destroyed by elephants, 2 are clogged with black ant eggs inside the workings of the camera). To solve the ant problem, I bought some silicone caulk which I will use to seal the cameras. Using this caulk also aids the silica gel packets I place inside to absorb moisture. I am also inquiring about building elephant resistant housings and finding a fix-it man, but this will take time (everything happens slowly here, so that means…months). I am considering learning to build my own digital camera traps so I know how they work and how to fix them. But, this seems difficult as all of the sites for parts I have been referred to are no longer in business.
There are numerous digital camera trap models available in US retail stores for hunters, but most are not capable of withstanding the very harsh and humid Thailand environment. However, we have positive reviews from colleagues in western Thailand and Brazil who are successfully using digital camera trap models (which are also capable of capturing video clips). So, my colleagues at the Smithsonian and I have narrowed in on commercial models of digital cameras to purchase (ca. $200/camera). We are also putting in the order for two GPS/GSM collars for dholes this month to leave room for manufacture time so they are ready to be deployed in the field in September.
I am extremely frustrated with my equipment. I am using second-hand Camtrakker models (film cameras) that are not made to withstand the rigors of the tropical forest. Furthermore, film is rapidly getting harder to find and have developed. It is now the beginning of the rainy season and the humidity and moisture is already a problem. I am rapidly losing camera traps. I started with 18 working cameras. I am down to 7! (6 have problems with the infrared beam (most likely due to humidity), 3 were destroyed by elephants, 2 are clogged with black ant eggs inside the workings of the camera). To solve the ant problem, I bought some silicone caulk which I will use to seal the cameras. Using this caulk also aids the silica gel packets I place inside to absorb moisture. I am also inquiring about building elephant resistant housings and finding a fix-it man, but this will take time (everything happens slowly here, so that means…months). I am considering learning to build my own digital camera traps so I know how they work and how to fix them. But, this seems difficult as all of the sites for parts I have been referred to are no longer in business.
There are numerous digital camera trap models available in US retail stores for hunters, but most are not capable of withstanding the very harsh and humid Thailand environment. However, we have positive reviews from colleagues in western Thailand and Brazil who are successfully using digital camera trap models (which are also capable of capturing video clips). So, my colleagues at the Smithsonian and I have narrowed in on commercial models of digital cameras to purchase (ca. $200/camera). We are also putting in the order for two GPS/GSM collars for dholes this month to leave room for manufacture time so they are ready to be deployed in the field in September.
Police Inquiry
I just had a long break for Songkran, the Thai New Year. I was planning to spend it at Pom's house (which is fun because you go around visiting the elderly and pouring water over their hands, then doing the same with the monks). But, I didn't have cash because I had to cancel my ATM card. When I got to Bangkok, I walked up to my apartment and found a new lock over the door handle. At first I thought the landlady had locked us out because we were both away for over a week. Then, I looked closer. The doorknob has a lock, but there are also two loops of metal (one on the door itself and one on the door frame). When you shut the door, these come one on top of the other, then you insert a pad lock. One of the loops of metal was twisted open. Someone had broken into my apartment!!
I was exhausted after a 5 hour bus ride in extreme heat and just wanted a shower. I had to get the landlady to open the door, and then a whole group of people gathered around to watch as I checked what was stolen. Everything seemed to be in place. They left after lots of nodding and sent a guy to put a new latch on the door. I was finally alone and the violation of it hit me. I called Pom and asked if he had my computer. Nope. They stole my (luckily OLD) computer, cords to an external hard drive (luckily they didn't take the drive), and my nice computer bag (which was in the closet....how did they even think to look for the bag? I guess it made leaving less conspicuous). Anyway, then I cried. I don't really need my old computer, but after it died, the previous week, I spent a lot of time fixing it and it was working great (faster than my new computer in fact). I was livid.
Then, (I still didn't get my shower) I had to deal with the police coming. They were more interested in asking personal questions about me being an American and my hair than about the theft. I don't know why they bothered to come. I waited for Pom and the next day we went to the police station to do a formal statement (not that it will do any good).
Our apartment has a security camera taping people going in and out of the building. I thought we could watch this to see if anyone had my bag. But, conveniently, the days I wanted to look at the landlord had no longer saved. Hmmm. I'm just lucky I still have my passport and credit cards.
I was exhausted after a 5 hour bus ride in extreme heat and just wanted a shower. I had to get the landlady to open the door, and then a whole group of people gathered around to watch as I checked what was stolen. Everything seemed to be in place. They left after lots of nodding and sent a guy to put a new latch on the door. I was finally alone and the violation of it hit me. I called Pom and asked if he had my computer. Nope. They stole my (luckily OLD) computer, cords to an external hard drive (luckily they didn't take the drive), and my nice computer bag (which was in the closet....how did they even think to look for the bag? I guess it made leaving less conspicuous). Anyway, then I cried. I don't really need my old computer, but after it died, the previous week, I spent a lot of time fixing it and it was working great (faster than my new computer in fact). I was livid.
Then, (I still didn't get my shower) I had to deal with the police coming. They were more interested in asking personal questions about me being an American and my hair than about the theft. I don't know why they bothered to come. I waited for Pom and the next day we went to the police station to do a formal statement (not that it will do any good).
Our apartment has a security camera taping people going in and out of the building. I thought we could watch this to see if anyone had my bag. But, conveniently, the days I wanted to look at the landlord had no longer saved. Hmmm. I'm just lucky I still have my passport and credit cards.
Dholes Aren't Sexy
A quick overview: The spin is that Khao Ang Rue Nai (where I conduct my research) is a wildlife sanctuary surrounded by densely populated and well-developed lands. Though this human encroachment has many negative consequences, it may also provide unexpected access to modern technology for the study and conservation of endangered species. For example, an extensive cellular phone network now covers the entire park. The phone coverage allows researchers to track animals using a combination of Global System for Mobile (GSM) cellular phone technology and Global Positioning System (GPS). This technology can be built into a collar and attached to a dhole. The GPS positions (documenting daily movements) are stored in the collar until the animal is within GSM cell phone net coverage and positions can be transferred direct to the scientist’s cell phone!
Feedback from the grant proposal I submitted to Lindbergh Foundation to study dholes:
High Scores. “A good fit between technology and conservation biology…creative…well designed, clear involvement of local peoples, will provide critical information that can directly inform conservation policies for this species and has a well developed plan to disseminate the results in an effective manner.”
My project has scored high enough to make it to the list of finalists the last two years, yet the scoring (subjective, without written feedback) by the final selection committee has not ranked it high either year. I have yet to receive grant money to study dholes. I guess dholes just aren’t sexy. It is clear I need to come up with an even more creative spin on my research to interest funders.
Feedback from the grant proposal I submitted to Lindbergh Foundation to study dholes:
High Scores. “A good fit between technology and conservation biology…creative…well designed, clear involvement of local peoples, will provide critical information that can directly inform conservation policies for this species and has a well developed plan to disseminate the results in an effective manner.”
My project has scored high enough to make it to the list of finalists the last two years, yet the scoring (subjective, without written feedback) by the final selection committee has not ranked it high either year. I have yet to receive grant money to study dholes. I guess dholes just aren’t sexy. It is clear I need to come up with an even more creative spin on my research to interest funders.