Posted April 29, 2014 in All
There is one day on the reserve that generally gets us all overly excited. After four long weeks we can finally take in and check our cameras from our biodiversity survey grid. The grid is set up at one of six specific locations (called zoo sites) on the reserve over a period of four weeks. Each zoo site is defined by its distinct vegetation type – varying from grassland to deep bush – and enables us to monitor the different species of animals that occur in various parts of the reserve.
Cameras are set up close to game trails where it is likely that an animal will pass and trigger the sensors. Each week we set out to ensure that the batteries are still working and the camera card still has space for more pictures. Some locations are tougher than others, however it is a fantastic way to explore parts of the reserve that would perhaps otherwise be overlooked. Once the cameras have been collected it is now the job of our interns to carefully go through each card to see what we have captured.
The excitement of finding a species rarely seen brings people rushing from all directions. It is on these cameras that we get a true understanding on what is happening all around us. There is so much that we do not see simply because the area is so vast it is just impossible, but just to know from a photo that the leopard is still around or that there is a resident honey badger makes the magic of the reserve what it is.
For more details on this survey please contact Liamwestall@colchesterzoo.org
