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Primatology & Ecology Field School in Kenya, Anthropology, Rutgers UniversityField StudyPrimatology & Ecology Field School in Kenya, Anthropology, Rutgers University Location of field site: Kenya/Tana River Primate Nat. Reserve & Kakamega Forest National Reserve , Africa Project Director: J.W.K.Harris, M.A. Suleman, and Leah Domb, Co-directors Contact Person: Jack Harris (Loretta Dibble) , primate@rci.rutgers.edu , 732 932-8083 Phone: 732 932-8083 Fax: 732 932-8659 E-mail: primate@rci.rutgers.edu Mailing address: 131 George Street , New Brunswick , New Jersey 08901 USA Research Objectives: This field school will give participants the opportunity to experience the diverse habitats of Kenya, and to gain understanding about biodiversity by using primate field studies as the entry point.The curriculum will comprise lectures, readings, and discussions on concepts in primatology and conservation biology. We will review important notions in primate behavioral ecology, and learn about primate behavior and ecological data collection. The core of the field school will be training and practice of field methods. Participants will learn how to census primates, study social behavior and habitat use, practice animal identification, time budget analysis via scan and focal animal sampling, and how to measure habitat use.In order to expose the participants to methods used to study primates found in different habitat types, the field school will be conducted two ecologically different sites. A forest ecosystem in the Tana River Primate National Reserve (TRPNR) at the coast, and Kakamega Forest National Reserve. Field Positions and Volunteers: Field school conducted by Rutgers University and the National Museums of Kenya provides research and training for undergraduates. Completion of the program earns a student six academic credits from Rutgers University (through study abroad office). Additional research opportunities may exist for study beyond the field school experience for graduate students. Species Studied: TRPNR is the only reserve in the world dedicated solely to conservation of primates. There are eight non-human primate species in the reserve; the Tana River red colobus, crested mangabey and sykes monkey, baboons and vervet monkeys, and three prosimians, the lesser, greater and GarnetÃÂs galagos. Kakamega Forest, in western Kenya, is the largest surviving stand of rainforest in Kenya. The park supports over 350 species of trees and five observable primate species. The majestic black and white colobus monkeys are abundant and often associate with blue monkeys. The forest is also home to endangered DeBrazza monkeys as well as red-tail monkeys and olive baboons. Other Species Found At Site: The Tana River forests contain high diversity of other species of rare animals and plants, and are designated as a global biodiversity hotspot. Three indigenous groups of people live within the vicinity of the reserve. For bird and butterfly enthusiasts,Kakamega Forest National Reserve is the place of choice. Being such a food rich reserve habitat, the park supports over 300 bird species and over 400 species of butterflies (about 45% of all recorded butterflies in Kenya); birdlife includes the endangered Turner's eremomela, Charpins flycatcher and the voice mimicking African grey parrot. Forest bucks, duikers and dik diks are also found in this enormously bio-diverse rain forest. Large age-old trees are in plenty as a result of early efforts in conservation. Affiliations: Rutgers University/National Museums of Kenya Project Begin/End Dates: August 1 to August 28th 2007 Web Site: primate.rutgers.edu Comments: Rutgers Study Abroad office can be contacted via web http://studyabroad.rutgers.edu, phone 732/932-7787, or email RU_Abroad@email.rutgers.edu Entry created: 2005-02-24 [Update Entry] [Delete Entry] |