By Herp News
A recent article published in the journal Biological Conservation details a research study led by University of Wisconsin physical anthropologist Dr. Stephanie Spehar which utilized game camera traps to identify and estimate the numbers of orangutans in the Wehea Forest of East Kalimantan, Borneo. The researchers believe the cameras may provide more accurate population counts to assist in future conservation efforts. The study team set up networks of game cameras within the 38,000 hectare Wehea Forest wilderness of mostly undisturbed rainforest surrounded by logging concessions. The team chose two distinct areas for camera placement — dense primary forest with a closed tree canopy, and a secondary forest last logged in 1996. The study sought to test whether camera trapping methods, so successful with other elusive species such as the clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi), could be used to count orangutans. Curious orangutans often approach the camera for a closer look. Photo by Brent Loken Prior to the study, the most reliable method for estimating orangutan population numbers was to count the number of orangutan nests in a certain area. “Orangutan nests look like large bird nests and are used for sleeping during the night and sometimes for resting during the day” describes Brent Loken, a team member and doctoral candidate at Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, who spoke with mongabay.com regarding the study “They mainly build a new nest each day but sometimes return to old nests to rest. Babies typically sleep with mothers and mothers often…
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