Methodologies for studying small African carnivores: Can research keep pace with emerging conservation needs? — Promaco Conventions

Methodologies for studying small African carnivores: Can research keep pace with emerging conservation needs? (#322)

Paula A. White 1 , Adam W. Ferguson 2 , Emmanuel Do Linh San 3
  1. Center for Tropical Research, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Los Angeles, California, USA
  2. Department of Foresty and Wildlife Management, Maasai Mara University, Narok, Kenya
  3. Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa

Small African carnivores (< 15 kg) represent a biologically and ecologically diverse assemblage. Yet despite their biodiversity and subsequent assumed ecological importance, most species remain vastly understudied in comparison to larger-bodied carnivores. As part of IMC XII’s symposium on Advances in Research and Conservation of Small African Carnivores, this talk will explore methodologies used for studying these often cryptic, secretive and nocturnal species. Building on another talk in this session that will identify data gaps and priorities for future work, here we will consider current methodologies to identify what methods may be best suited to fill these gaps and to address emerging conservation issues. We will then survey newly available technologies, many of which are evolving rapidly, and assess how they might contribute to future studies of small African carnivores that collectively occupy a wide variety of habitats. This presentation is designed to facilitate information sharing among researchers as to the most recent technologies and approaches available. Audience input on new methods or equipment will be invited at the end of the presentation, time permitting.

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