Cellular Monkeys: Why?
What would be the advantage to having a cellular network set up in a remote research area? I will be researching the logistics of setting up and running a local GSM cell network to solve challenges facing primate behavioral researchers at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Ecuador. The challenges researchers face in this remote area are multifaceted and vary widely. Setting up an ad hoc cell network could be useful in the following ways. GSM Telemetry – Gathering data about where the monkey’s are in the research area is a time consuming but ultimately crucial part of the research. Radio [...]
DIY Telemetry Collar
The ability to get a heavier collar, with more functionality, could be achieved by rethinking how the electronics are dispersed over the body area of the monkey. Instead of having most of the weight in one place around the monkey’s neck, it might be possible to spread the electronics out and have them lay flat against the body of the Monkey. By not having to pack everything into a tight ball, the electronics could have a slimmer profile. Possible draw backs could be the added straps and the a weaker housing on the electronics. The straps on the monkey that [...]
Watching Snow Monkeys
Went to the Central Park Zoo to get an idea of what researchers go through when they are recording behavior. Out in the cold, in the middle of the zoo are the Snow moneys! They spent most of their day split between cuddling/grooming and just wandering around as individuals. They would also pick up sticks off of branches and snack on them from time to time. Part of the assignment was to record their behavior as well. My partner and I did an ethogram (like a dictionary of the observed behaviors) and then did a Focal sample on one of [...]