Caribou Monitoring Manual 1999-2000
C. Rohner
Š West-Central Alberta Caribou Standing Committee (WCACSC)
Version 99.4
Caribou Monitoring Manual WCACSC
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Caribou Monitoring Manual 1999-2000 Version 99.4
PAGE CARIBOU MONITORING MANUAL 1999-2000 ..............................................................................................................2
VERSION 99.4 ...................................................................................................................................................................2 1. PURPOSE...........................................................................................................................................................................3 2. VHF TELEMETRY: MONTHLY RELOCATIONS ...................................................................................................................3 2.1. Planning, responsibilities, timing, data flow ...........................................................................................................3 2.2 Pre-flight preparation ..............................................................................................................................................3 2.3 Procedure for telemetry relocations.........................................................................................................................3 2.4 Response to caribou mortalities ...............................................................................................................................6 2.5 Detailed inspection and report of caribou mortalities .............................................................................................6 2.6 Flight record and snow conditions...........................................................................................................................7 2.7 Post-flight responsibilities........................................................................................................................................7 3. AERIAL SURVEYS: CALF SURVIVAL CHECKS...................................................................................................................7 3.1 Approach ..................................................................................................................................................................7 3.2 Field procedures.......................................................................................................................................................8 4. AERIAL SURVEYS: COMPOSITION COUNTS AND INDEX COUNT.......................................................................................8 5. DOWNLOADING OF GPS COLLAR DATA ..............................................................................................................................8 6. CARIBOU CAPTURE PROCEDURES .....................................................................................................................................8 6.1 General approach.....................................................................................................................................................8 6.2 Aerial capture...........................................................................................................................................................8 6.3 Handling of animals .................................................................................................................................................9 6.4 Attachment of transmitters......................................................................................................................................10 6.5 Checklist for capture crew......................................................................................................................................10 7. LITERATURE CITED.........................................................................................................................................................10 8. APPENDICES ....................................................................................................................................................................11 8.1 Aerial Survey and Telemetry Cover Sheet (Appendix 1) ........................................................................................11 8.3 Caribou Relocation Data Sheet (Appendix 2) ........................................................................................................12 8.2 Caribou Relocation Comments (Appendix 3) .........................................................................................................13 8.4 Caribou Relocation Legend (Appendix 4) ..............................................................................................................14 8.5 Mortality Form (Appendix 5) .................................................................................................................................15 8.6 Capture Form (Appendix 6) ...................................................................................................................................16
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1. PURPOSE Purpose of this manual is to ensure the collection of high-quality field data on caribou in westcentral Alberta. This collection of methods is intended to make all techniques transparent and standardized, help avoiding errors and increase efficiency by providing default procedures, and allow for continuing improvements through suggestions by a all participants in caribou monitoring in the region.
2. VHF TELEMETRY: MONTHLY RELOCATIONS 2.1. Planning, responsibilities, timing, data flow For monitoring winter distribution, survival rates, and group compositions, monthly relocations of radio-collared caribou are carried out from November to April. The specific herds are monitored by AEP staff of the offices with the respective jurisdictions, unless other agreements are made. Default practice is that the offices arrange flights independently, attempting to maintain a schedule with relocations as closely to mid-month as possible. Results are recorded on the specific data sheets provided: Aerial Survey and Telemetry Cover Sheet (Appendix 1), Caribou Relocation Data Sheet (Appendix 2), Caribou Relocation Comments (Appendix 3), Caribou Relocation Legend (Appendix 4), Mortality Form (Appendix 5), Mortality Report (free format). Data sheets need to be faxed to the university (short-term data centre) and to the Edson NRS office (long-term data centre) immediately after the flight. To avoid errors, it is desirable that the responsible field observer enters the information within 3 days after the field work into the relocation database and sends the files as attachments to both the university and the Edson office. However, this is not necessary and data will be entered at the university if not specified otherwise.
2.2 Pre-flight preparation When conducting helicopter surveys all personnel (official or guests) should be prepared for several emergencies or situations. Take along enough food, water, and clothing to spend the night in the wilderness. Dress for outside conditions in bright colored clothing. Additional equipment that be taken include: a bone saw, knife (skinning knife or multi-tool knife), flares, lighter or matches, sample bags, spare telemetry components, additional pencils and paper, compass, tarp, pliers and wrenches, handheld GPS unit (optional), and snowshoes (seasonal). A shotgun and shells are required for ground inspections of mortality sites during bear season. 2.3 Procedure for telemetry relocations •
Scan all frequencies and pinpoint animal location according to standard procedures. For increased efficiency of long-range search, make sure not to home in on a discovered frequency immediately. First, completely scan all frequencies and take rough directions on all detected
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frequencies before losing altitude and homing in on an animal (or else you will have to repeat time-consuming long-range searches ending up in the same watersheds). Use the Caribou Relocation Comments (Appendix 3) to keep track of where you heard frequencies that you could not home in at the moment. •
•
Always assess pulse rates: depending on collar type, normal pulse rates are 48 -75 bpm and mortality signals are 67 - 140 bpm (circle the 'pulse' field for type of signal detected). Note that GPS collars and VHF collars have different signal properties and that paying attention is to collar specs are important because of overlap of pulse rates (Appendix 3). Always measure pulse rate with your watch when result is not obvious (count pulses in 20 or 30 seconds, and then multiply to obtain pulse rate per minute and write down the result in comments). Also write down any occurrence of double beeps. Measuring pulse rates will ensure prompt recognition of mortalities and will help to identify specific collars when frequencies are close together or are on the same frequency. Type of collar
Mode
Pulse rate (bpm)
Beep
VHF
Normal Mortality
50-75 >100
Single Single
GPS_1000
Normal Mortality Power Fail
50 67 50
Single Single Double
GPS_2000
Normal Mortality Power Fail
48 96 48
Single Single Double or Triple
Obtain visuals of all VHF-collared caribou (not for GPS collars, not for wolves), if this can be done without excessive disturbance. Record group composition, again only if this information can be recorded without excessive disturbance (priority are total counts and number of calves in a group, as we are attempting to estimate calf survival based on these data). Visual
= animal seen
Total count only = group seen, animal not identified Blank, no count = no caribou seen
•
Take a GPS location from the helicopter as closely to the animal as is reasonable. Estimate your accuracy within the given classes (this is important to later screen for data of appropriate accuracy for specific data analyses). Note that you can enter animals that you did not see or approach (e.g. weather, no time, weak signal bounce) with categories of low accuracy (e.g. your helicopter location plus a category of > 5 km accuracy).
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Accuracy 1 = <250 m 2 = 250-500 m 3 = 500 m - 1 km 4 = 1- 5 km 5 = > 5 km
•
Default projection for GPS coordinates is NAD27. Check with pilot whether settings are correct. Other projections (e.g. NAD83) can be used if necessary, but make sure to take note of it on the Caribou Relocation Data Sheet (Appendix 2). Always check with the pilot in what format you are writing your coordinates and indicate on the data sheet.
•
Briefly assess the habitat and terrain within 200-300 m of where the caribou was first sighted. This should not take much time or additional circling, it is meant to be a quick assessment. Use Phase 3 classification for forest types (within a diameter of 200-300 m), and continue in 'Comments' if caribou are using a microhabitat that is obviously different from surrounding habitat (e.g. muskeg in spruce forest). Use the brief format to describe stand density (canopy closure), tree height class, and the leading species, e.g. B3Pl (see Appendix 3). Habitat is important as we do not have complete coverage for the whole study area, and for plausibility checks when screening for errors. Quick assessment of terrain (landform) helps to provide data on studying requirements by caribou that may be very complicated to extract from a digital elevation model, and also contributes to plausibility checks of relocation data. Crown Closure
Height Class
Habitat
Terrain
A = 6 – 30% B = 31 – 50% C = 51 – 70% D = 71 – 100%
0 = 0 – 6.0m 1 = 6.1 – 12.0m 2 = 12.1 – 18.0m 3 = 18.1 – 24.0m 4 = 24.1 – 30.0m 5 = 30.1+m
Pl = Lodgepole Pine Sw = White Spruce Sb = Black Spruce Fb = Fir Lt = Larch, Tamarack A = Aspen (Deciduous) W = Willow Rip = Riparian, Open Alp = Alpine Meadow Rock = Bare Soil, Rock Me = Meadow
R = Ridge S = Slope P = Plateau V = Valley bottom/gully
•
Record any human or wolf activity within vicinity (1 km) of collared caribou.
•
Where landscape features are obvious, use Caribou Relocation Comments (Appendix 3) to briefly describe the location of an animal (e.g. confluence Kakwa / Hat Creek) to safeguard against loss of GPS information or typos in coordinates, or add any other comments.
•
WRITE LEGIBLY.
•
Always scan for remaining frequencies before leaving a caribou group and watershed. Gain highest elevation possible and scan for all remaining frequencies before leaving a particular part of your study area in the mountains.
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2.4 Response to caribou mortalities •
On telemetry surveys, locating all of the radio-collared caribou is the highest priority. However, if a mortality signal is heard, pinpoint the location and establish whether the animal is alive or not, obtain a GPS reading as in other relocations.
•
Inspect suspected mortality site from the air. If time allows and there is a landing site within 500 m, investigate the site and retrieve the collar. Follow mortality site inspection protocol and data sheet. Time allowed should also consider how long it will take to find a collar under snow cover. Consider your equipment before making a decision (footwear and need for snowshoes, hand-held antenna for search, rifle in summer for safety against bears).
•
If there is not time to land then try to determine from the air the exact location of the collar and whether it is a kill site or a dropped collar (tracks, ravens, packed down area, etc). Time since last location and amount of fresh snow will help or hinder this evaluation. Also determine if retrieval is possible (i.e. landing site within 1 km and snow cover is not too great to find the collar).
•
Report upon return and go back as soon as possible, flying budget permitting. Follow mortality site inspection protocol and data sheet.
2.5 Detailed inspection and report of caribou mortalities •
Equipment. Bringing along special equipment is vital for the success of inspecting caribou mortalities (see 2.1 Pre-flight Preparations).
•
Locating and Aerial Inspection. A mortality site should be inspected as soon as possible once a mortality signal is noticed. Evidence will soon be covered in snow or disturbed by scavengers. Circle the signal several times with the helicopter and record its GPS location on the mortality report. While circling, search for evidence of predators and note any landmarks that will aid in finding the collar once on the ground. Circling also serves to scare away any unseen carnivores that want to protect the carcass. If bears are seen within the vicinity, the mortality reports should be filled out from within the helicopter and a ground inspection should not be conducted.
•
Ground Inspection. Ask the pilot to land in what he thinks is the closest safe landing area. To find the kill site quickly, program the location into a handheld GPS unit. Also program the helicopter’s location during snow-free times of the year to find your way back efficiently (a spare radio-collar left in the helicopter also does the trick). When approaching the site, at least one person should carry a loaded shotgun and be trained in its use. A second person should use the receiver and antenna to locate and retrieve the collar. Take care not to step on tracks or other evidence, and minimize your contact with blood and tissues. Try to reconstruct the scene and determine the cause of death. Look for evidence of struggle (blood spray), chase (tracks, broken vegetation), poor health (body curled up, old age), or harvest (shell casings, human tracks, knife or saw marks). Pay attention to tissues remaining (hide, rumen) which can help to determine the cause of death. Try to estimate the time since death by using evidence such as blood and tissue freshness, and the amount of snow on the carcass.
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•
Collect Data. Fill out the entire mortality report while still on site. The report is designed to remind you of the data needed and what evidence to look for. Lastly, collect samples that might indicate condition or cause of death (long bones, mandibles, rumen contents, feces). Samples should be enclosed in air tight bags or containers.
•
Leave. Retrace your tracks (or use the GPS unit) back to the helicopter. Do not try to find a shortcut back. Everyone will have the scent of the kill site and someone may be covered in blood or carrying samples; therefore make sure someone is prepared with the shotgun during bear season.
•
Post-flight Responsibilities: see 2.7.
2.6 Flight record and snow conditions The specs of each flight need to be recorded on the Aerial Survey and Telemetry Cover Sheet (Appendix 1). Assess snow cover visually from the air. If there are obvious differences (e.g. mountains and forested winter ranges) briefly describe 1-3 areas or elevation ranges for your specific estimates of snow cover. Choose 1-2 stations to measure snow depth and record result (if possible return to same stations in subsequent flights). Give coordinates of snow stations, or if earlier recorded, write down name of station. At the end, assess highlights of flight briefly, and provide additional observations or comments.
2.7 Post-flight responsibilities •
Telemetry Relocations. Fax all data sheets asap to the university and the Edson office. If time allows, enter data into database files and send as email attachments. Always fax/courier data sheets, even if data files are provided.
•
Mortalities: Label any field samples exhaustively, arrange for proper storage, arrange samples to be forwarded for processing if necessary. Fax data sheets to the university and to the Edson office. In addition write a detailed report of your findings and your interpretation as a text file and send by email as an attachment (usually 0.5-1 page).
3. AERIAL SURVEYS: CALF SURVIVAL CHECKS 3.1 Approach For assessing reproduction and productivity in caribou, 3 stages have been targeted for monitoring: 1) Pregnancy tests from blood samples of captured females (November-February, captures in October during rut cannot be assessed). Results from lab tests on progesterone levels are given in the capture data file. To separate pregnant from non-pregnant females, we use a threshold of >1.5 ng/ mL (Russell et al. 1998). 2) Calving surveys in mid June allow an estimate of how many radio-collared females produced calves (Edmonds and Smith 1991). This census can give valuable data about calving sites
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and can be used to pinpoint at which stage most mortality occurs. The problem is that neonatal mortality is generally high, and up to 80% of calf mortality can occur within 8 days after parturition (Adams et al. 1995). The exact timing of a survey may therefore cause considerable variation in the results. 3) Calf survival checks on radio-collared cows in September are an efficient estimate of recruitment in the population. A default date of 15 September was chosen as an optimal date because calf survival rates have stabilized and there still exists a very strong bond between mother and calf-at-heel until the beginning of the rut. 3.2 Field procedures Calf survival checks are flown in mid September. If possible, every radio-collared female is located, and the group composition assessed. While circling around the group, the observer assesses whether a specific radio-collared female is followed by a calf at heel or not. Repeated circling may be necessary to identify a specific individual and to safely identify which female a calf is following. The results can be written on the regular Caribou Relocation Data Sheet (Appendix 2). Always provide a Aerial Survey and Telemetry Cover Sheet (see 2.6, Appendix 1). Postflight responsibilities as in 2.7.
4. AERIAL SURVEYS: COMPOSITION COUNTS AND INDEX COUNT Not covered in this version.
5. DOWNLOADING OF GPS COLLAR DATA Not covered in this version.
6. CARIBOU CAPTURE PROCEDURES 6.1 General approach For monitoring winter distribution, survival rates, and group compositions, monthly relocations of radio-collared caribou are carried out from November to April. The specific herds are monitored by AEP staff of the offices with the respective jurisdictions, unless other agreements are made. Default practice is that the offices arrange flights independently, attempting to maintain a schedule with relocations as closely to mid-month as possible. In order to keep injuries to a minimum, professional and experienced capture crews are contracted to carry out the work. Experience with >100 caribou captured since 1981 in west-central Alberta demonstrated that the techniques described below have been successful in keeping capture-related mortality < 5 %. 6.2 Aerial capture Caribou are located from a helicopter (flying at least 300 m above surface) visually or aided by radio-telemetry. Once groups have been identified in suitable terrain for capture, the aircraft descends and approaches the animal targeted for capture. The total approach time is not to exceed
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5 minutes. The selected individual is then approached within range of approx. 10 meters to be captured by a net shot from a hand-held net gun according to standard procedures (Barret et al. 1982). Normally, only one animal is captured per group (2 in large groups of >20 caribou, only if necessary). Whenever possible, assess whether the targeted animal was foolowed by a calf at heel or not. The following precautions are taken to reduce the risk of injury to the animals: •
Capture terrain is not in the vicinity of cliffs or open water bodies, and not excessively rough.
•
To prevent accidents from falling during high-speed chases (broken legs, necks, or spinal chord), captures are carried out in as deep snow as possible. In addition, animals are driven uphill where there are slopes, and soft unfrozen ground is avoided (in response to past experience of accidents with antlers being trapped in soft ground). On hard ground with relatively little snow, the helicopter circles around the animals first to slow the running speed of the animal prior to netting.
•
To prevent capture myopathy (respiratory lacidosis) and shock (e.g. Spraker 1982), two major precautions are taken: (i) captures are carried out during low temperatures (well below 0°C), (ii) pursuit time in final chase is kept low (usually around 30 sec, not to exceed 2 min).
6.3 Handling of animals •
After netting an animal the helicopter lands nearby as quickly as possible, and the animal is blindfolded and carefully restricted by the use of hobbles. All noise or sudden movement around the animal is kept to an absolute minimum. Standard measurements (neck girth, total length, shoulder height, chest girth, hindfoot) are taken, radio collars are attached around the neck, and Allflex standard eartags (7.5 cm x 10 cm, 4 mm pin diameter) are attached. To avoid lopsided ears or ripping, the eartag is attached below the centerline of the ear proximal to the skull. Blood samples for analysis of DNA, pregnancy rates, and blood parasites are taken by using a 12 cc syringe with a 18 gauge needle. Animals are inspected for external injuries and all open bruises, if capture-related or not, are disinfected. No blankets are used during captures, because direct contact with snow contributes to the prevention of overheating.
•
Red ear tags in right ear for ALP, orange ear tag in left ear for RPC, blue eartag in right ear for LSM.
•
Processing priorities: apply collar, apply ear tag, take blood, take body measurements. Release animal as soon as it shows signs of exhaustion, struggles excessively, or begins hyperventilating.
•
Handling time is usually 10-15 min, not to exceed 30 min. For struggling individuals, handling procedures are reduced to a minimum, and they are released immediately by carefully removing hobbles.
•
In case of broken appendage or neck, animals are euthanized with a high calibre rifle (shot to the brain). Access allowing, fatalities are recovered on the ground and used for research (parasite loads) and for interpretative purposes (mounts), otherwise they are left on site for natural predators. For fatalities, as much of the capture data sheet should be filled in as pos-
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sible (bring blood sample or muscle sample for DNA analysis). Contact the designated NRS office ASAP. 6.4 Attachment of transmitters Standard VHF collars and GPS collars (LOTEK, GPS_1000 and GPS_2000) are being used. The weight of the collars ranges from <1 % to approximately 2 % of the body weight of a female caribou. Radio transmitters are only attached to adult animals. Collar tightness is 2 fingers for cows, 3 fingers for bulls. GPS transmitters are heavier than VHF collars (max 2.1 kg), but disturbance through aerial monitoring is reduced because an aircraft does not need to approach the animals for subsequent locations. All animals with GPS collars are monitored for neck wear upon recapture. Reference photographs are taken of all these re-captured animals to assess potential negative effects of collars. For re-captured animals, the following rules are applied: (i) animals with no substantial hair loss around neck can be re-collared with GPS transmitters, (ii) animals with substantial hair loss (hairless skin visible when outer hair pushed aside) can only be re-collared with VHF transmitters because of much lower transmitter weight, (iii) animals with substantial hair loss around neck and with open bruises are to be released without collars. Preliminary results from northern Alberta indicate that GPS collars did not have any effect on pregnancy rates of females (E. Dzus, unpubl. data). A program to pool data from Alberta and British Columbia has been initiated in order to monitor the survival rate of caribou with GPS transmitters compared to animals with VHF collars. 6.5 Checklist for capture crew Not yet available
7. LITERATURE CITED Adams, L. G., F. J. Singer, and B. W. Dale. 1995. Caribou calf mortality in Denali National Park, Alaska. Journal of Wildlife Management 59: 584-594. Barrett, M., J. Nolan and L. Roy (1982). Evaluation of a hand held net-gun to capture large mammals. Wildlife Society Bulletin 10:108-114. Edmonds E.J., and K.G. Smith (1991). Mountain caribou calf production and survival, and calving and summer habitat use in west-central Alberta. Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division. Edmonton, Alberta, 27 pp. Russell, D. E., K. L. Gerhart, R. G. White, and D. V. D. Wetering. 1998. Detection of early pregnancy in caribou: evidence for embryonic mortality. Journal of Wildlife Management 62: 066-1075. Spraker, T.R. (1982). An. overview of the pathophysiology of capture myopathy and related conditions that occur at the time of capture of wild animals. Pages 83-118, in: L. Nielsen, J.C. Haigh, and M.E. Fowler (eds.), Chemical Immobilization of North American Wildlife. Wisconsin Humane Society, Wisconsin.
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8. APPENDICES 8.1 Aerial Survey and Telemetry Cover Sheet (Appendix 1)
Aerial Survey and Telemetry Cover Sheet Natural Resources Service
Please file this cover sheet with the survey data. Date:
General Area: dd / mm / yy
Species:
Caribou
Other:
Telemetry Telemetry Composition Type of Survey: Relocation Calf Checks Count GPS NAD:
27
Index
Count
Reconnaissance
Other:
83
Pilot: Observers: Temp:
Start Time
Wind:
Stop Time:
Visibility:
Flying Time:
Snow Cover (%):
in Area 1:
Habitat 1:
in Area 2:
Habitat 2:
in Area 3:
Habitat 3:
Station#1
Snow Depth: __________
Name or Coordinates:
Station#2
Snow Depth: __________
Name or Coordinates:
Station#3
Snow Depth: __________
Name or Coordinates:
Brief Assessment of Flight, Behavioural Observations, Comments:
Caribou Monitoring Manual WCACSC 8.3 Caribou Relocation Data Sheet (Appendix 2)
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8.2 Caribou Relocation Comments (Appendix 3)
TELEMETRY RELOCATIONS: Date: dd / mm / yr
Freq
ID
Comments
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8.4 Caribou Relocation Legend (Appendix 4) Caribou Relocations: Legend for Telemetry Form Pulse: Check field if signal is on normal pulse rate (48 -75 bpm) or mortality (67 - 140 bpm). If not entirely clear (note overlap, depending on collar type!) then measure pulse rate with watch and write down the count in bpm. Note that GPS collars and VHF collars have different signal properties (put in comments if double-beeps or triple-beeps were heard). Type of collar
Mode
Pulse rate (bpm)
Beep
VHF
Normal Mortality
50-75 >100
Single Single
GPS_1000
Normal Mortality Power Fail
50 67 50
Single Single Double
GPS_2000
Normal Mortality Power Fail
48 96 48
Single Single Double or Triple
Visual: Check field if animal was observed. If a group of caribou was observed, put estimated number into composition fields but leave 'visual' unchecked. Accuracy: 1 = <250 m 2 = 250-500 m 3 = 500 m - 1 km 4 = 1- 5 km 5 = > 5 km Phase 3 and Terrain: Crown Closure A = 6 – 30% B = 31 – 50% C = 51 – 70% D = 71 – 100%
Height Class
Habitat
Terrain
0 = 0 – 6.0m 1 = 6.1 – 12.0m 2 = 12.1 – 18.0m 3 = 18.1 – 24.0m 4 = 24.1 – 30.0m 5 = 30.1+m
Pl = Lodgepole Pine Sw = White Spruce Sb = Black Spruce Fb = Fir Lt = Larch, Tamarack A = Aspen (Deciduous) W = Willow Rip = Riparian, Open Alp = Alpine Meadow Rock = Bare Soil, Rock Me = Meadow
R = Ridge S = Slope P = Plateau V=Valley bottom/gully
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8.5 Mortality Form (Appendix 5)
Date:
Mortality Report
Observers:
Species: Collar:
Collar recovered:
Yes No
Freq: Location:
Lat:
Long:
Est. time since death:
Unknown
Cause of death:
Unknown
Predator
Natural
Harvest
Poaching
Slope:
None
1-10
11-29
30-45
>45
Aspect:
N
Habitat:
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
Nearest linear corridor:
m
Type:
Snow depth:
cm
Snow since death:
Evidence (use back of page for additional observations) Human activity: foot prints, tracks, shell casings
Predators: tracks, hair, scat, sightings, location of bites (muzzle / throat / hind legs)
Health / Condition: coat, body fat, rumen contents, lungs, age, general appearance
Chase / Struggle: blood trails, tufts of hair
Position / Distribution: whole, curled up, sprawled out, disarticulated
Missing / Consumed fat, bones, skin, hair, rumen
Material Collected:
Lower jaw
Hair
Rumen
Long bone
NW
cm
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8.6 Capture Form (Appendix 6)
Caribou Capture Data Sheet Date:
_______________ dd / mmm / yy
General Location: Specific Location:
___________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Longitude / Latitude ( Deg. Min. Sec or Deg. Decimal Min. ?) Please ask the pilot to use UTM or Decimal Degrees NAD 27
Sex: M
Caribou ID#: __________
F
Observer:
_________________
Female with calf:
Y
Age Estimate:
Juvenile (2-3yr)
Adult (>3 yr)
Transmitter Type:
VHF - Freq:
________
GPS Collar Address: _________
Colour of Collar:
________
Ear Tag Colour:____________#______
N
Group size: _________________
Unk
L
R
MEASUREMENTS____________________________________________________________ Total Length
________cm
Following body contour from tip of nose to tip of tail at last vertebrae, not tip of hair.
Shoulder Height ________cm
From tip of hoof along the extended foreleg to dorsal midpoint of the shoulder.
Chest Girth
________cm
Taken immediately posterior to the front legs as a circumference.
Neck Girth
________cm
Where radio collar is put on.
Hindfoot Length ________cm Female Antlered?
From tip of hoof along extended leg to the hock (posterior bone protrusion at 2 nd joint).
Y N
Samples: Blood
Hair Feces Photos
Animal Condition: _________ (Rating of 1 to 3, bony to chubby) Recapture, Neck Wear: Little
Worn to skin
Worn to skin, with open bruises
Comments (Removed Collar Frequency, Injuries, Other):