Use of infrared digital cameras to investigate the behaviour of cryptic species
Andrew W. Claridge A E , Greg Mifsud B D , James Dawson C and Michael J. Saxon CA Department of Environment and Conservation, Parks and Wildlife Division, Reserve Conservation Unit, Southern Branch, PO Box 2115, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620, Australia.
B Department of Environment and Conservation, Parks and Wildlife Division, Snowy Mountains Region, PO Box 2228, Jindabyne, NSW 2627, Australia.
C Department of Environment and Conservation, Environmental Protection and Regulation Division, Southern Branch, PO Box 2115, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620, Australia.
D Present Address: Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, PO Box 864, Qld 4305, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: andrew.claridge@environment.nsw.gov.au
Wildlife Research 31(6) 645-650 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR03072
Submitted: 11 August 2003 Accepted: 20 July 2004 Published: 23 December 2004
Abstract
In this paper we report on the application of infrared digital cameras to investigate aspects of the breeding biology of the spotted-tailed quoll, an endangered marsupial carnivore. Technical details are provided about the cameras, which were deployed remotely at two ‘latrine’ sites used by the target species within Kosciuszko National Park in southern New South Wales, Australia. Examples of images captured by the cameras are presented, with notes on possible application of the same technology to better understand the social behaviour of rare and cryptic species.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Ross Meggs from Faunatech/Ausbat Pty Ltd for suggesting the use of the DC110 digital camera surveillance system in our studies, and for designing the radio-collars used to track animals. Al Glen, David Paull, Andy Murray, Rob Poore and Professor James Trappe variously assisted in fieldwork. Dr Tony Fleming gave strong support to our overall research program. Our research was carried out under the auspices of a NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Section 120 Scientific Investigation Licence (A3162) and NPWS Animal Ethics Committee Approval No. 020214/05.
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