Comments on: Andean Bears: Field Research Continues

By: Russ Van Horn

Russ Van Horn — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:30:31 +0000

To #3 (njr_sd)
These remote cameras (camera ‘traps’) are triggered by either movement or heat anomalies. So, although we choose the sites carefully, it’s possible that environmental conditions and weather events cause the cameras to take pictures without animals being present. We suspect that wind, blowing either clouds or branches, provided enough movement to trigger the cameras, resulting in photos that don’t show animals. It’s also possible that the cameras were triggered by fast-moving insects. The cameras are set to take three photos in rapid succession every time they’re triggered. In the past, we’ve had photos taken of flies or moths flying in front of the cameras. Some times the insect was visible in all three photos in a series, but in other photo series the insect was visible in only one or two of the three photos. So, although the cameras have a response time of less than a second, it’s possible that an insect, flying just at the edge of the field of view of the camera sensor, might trigger the shutter and then fly out of view before the photo is taken.

Now that we’ve strengthened our relationship with the local stakeholders, we’re planning to place temperature and light sensors into the forest near the camera traps. Data on environmental conditions will help us address hypotheses regarding animal behavior and will help our botanical collaborators understand the seasonality of plant reproduction.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:38:39 +0000

Russ,

Thanks so much for the research you are doing to help Andean Bears and to work with the local people to understand and respect the importance of the bears. Do you know if the bears raided cornfields would be turned away by peppers near the edge of the cornfields? I have heard of that working in India and in Africa with crop-raiding elephants. I do appreciate hearing about your adventures in the field and I’m proud of the SDZ for supporting your research.

By: njr_sd

njr_sd — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:25:17 +0000

Any idea what triggered the cameras on the ones that only showed clouds and fog? Glad to hear you got to see a wild bear, not so good that it was close to the corn fields.
Is this the study area where you were going to deploy the environmental/temperature sensors?

By: nancy from michigan

nancy from michigan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:43:24 +0000

russ, as always it’s a pleasure to read your updates about your travels in peru. at least you did get to see a couple bears! i laugh when i visualize in my head the scene of you riding bareback on a small horse with your long legs dangling just above the ground!! very funny! awkward maybe, but better than walking all the time. are you extremely tall, or are the peruvians very small!!!??? lol anyway, keep your posts coming as they are enjoyable, laughable, and informative to read!!!!!!!……………………………………………………………

By: Joy in Kansas

Joy in Kansas — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:21:13 +0000

Glad you’re enjoying your trips to Peru, Russ. My family lived there for a year while I was in grade school, and I’ve always wanted to return. Wish I could stow away as a research assistant! I enjoy hearing of the animals you see during your research trips. It brings back fond memories of watching a sloth in the trees, or seeing a large iguana amble by, as well as the many small lizards and tree frogs that kept sneaking indoors. I have great hopes you will get photos of those lovely bears, soon.