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.

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.