AUTHORS: Erik Holterman, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Kayla Allred, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Tyler Rasmussen, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
ABSTRACT: Camera traps are a non-invasive wildlife sampling method, offering constant surveillance of multiple locations. Capturing pictures of wildlife provides opportunities for identifying individuals in a population, allowing researchers to collect data on home range size and population dynamics. This project aims to identify individuals which directly affects our ability to estimate population size, connectivity between populations, and help wildlife managers develop conservation plans. Focusing on fishers (Pekania pennanti), our team installed Fisher Monitoring Stations (FMS) throughout the George W. Mead Wildlife Area located in central Wisconsin. FMS are designed to attach to trees, where we expect fisher to climb on, touch, or reach out across a stabilizing bar to interact with bait hanging above the FMS. Our camera traps then take pictures of the ventral surface of fishers to capture markings that help identify individuals within the population. This was the first implementation of FMS, so we are analyzing trap characteristics such as bait type and height of the stabilizing bar in relation to the FMS platform. All pictures taken this field season are in the process of being graded on a numerical scale based on image quality in relation to identifying individuals. We hypothesize that a height of 60 cm and the implementation of beaver meat as bait will yield higher quality pictures than a height of 50 cm and jam as bait. In the future, we hope to continue to test more characteristics of trap design, including additional heights of the stabilizing bars, FMS distance to camera, distance to bait, and improved hair snare design.
