20th February
by Drs Anna Salazar Casals and Juliet Waiyaki
Good morning Naivasha! Today we started with a walk around the WRTI Annex complex (the Hippo Camp) to learn how to identify animal tracks. What does that entail, you ask? Well, we had to identify footprints, faeces, bones, and, of course, the animals themselves.
Bilal explained the differences between the footprints of canines and felines. Canines walk on their digits (digitigrade), which means their claws are always exposed, leaving visible marks on the ground. Felines, on the other hand, walk on their pads (plantigrade) with retractable claws, so their footprints are usually clawless—except for the cheetah, whose non-retractable claws help it maintain grip while sprinting. We also learned that the distance between footprints can reveal an animal’s speed: the more separated the front and back footprints the slower the animal is walking. As we walked, we also spotted impala tracks, hyena scat, and even the unmistakable imprints of a hippopotamus, reminding us of the diverse wildlife sharing this space with us.
After our tracking session, we headed into the classroom for a deep dive into population estimation and sampling methods. We explored different techniques used by ecologists to monitor wildlife numbers, from direct counts to capture-recapture studies and distance sampling. All our tutors assured us that the calculations were very easy and simple… we did not agree with that statement! The lectures helped us understand how tools like camera traps and line transects are used to estimate species distribution and abundance, reinforcing the importance of both technology and fieldwork in conservation research.
In the afternoon, we put our learning into action by setting up camera traps in small groups. Choosing the right spot was key: should we place the camera near a game trail, close to water, or deep in the undergrowth? We carefully positioned the traps, adjusting angles and checking for obstructions, hoping to capture snapshots of passing wildlife over the next few days. Are you curious about the results? Us too, just wait a few days 😉
We returned to camp, our minds buzzing with everything we had learned. From tracking prints in the dirt to using high-tech tools for population monitoring, today was a perfect blend of theory and practice, an unforgettable experience.
