Waiting for Permits (Again)

August was a slow month as we wait for permission from the Animal Care and Use Committee at the Smithsonian to give the green light for further trapping.  We did have a couple of lone dhole sightings around the Research Station, but no dholes photographed. Instead, we took a big hit on equipment:  Two of my brand new camera traps were stolen! We finally got ourselves elephant proof cases, but they aren't bullet proof!  The thief actually shot off the locks, took the cameras, and left behind the steel protective cases still bolted to the trees.  We talked to the villagers and explained the purpose of the cameras, but they confirmed the cameras were destroyed.  Additionally, one more cage trap was crushed by a family of elephants.

We nearly finished the construction of two long box traps for set up directly on trails and ordered 4 GPS collars for domestic dog tracking.  My team conducted 100 interview surveys in Buriram province to the east.  I am now busy with data entry for a total of 500 surveys.

 I also wrote up a short note for "Small Carnivore Conservation" to document the Large-Spotted Civet photographs we have gotten at Khao Yai National Park and in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary.