I make it a point of asking people their permission before I pass on their details to somebody else (administrators of mobile texting discussion groups take note).
So yesterday when I doorstepped a local television journalist to tell her about a toucan chick I am helping to rear, I knew the chick would not object because it could not. One point to me.
I had seen, met and spoken to this journalist some years previously in the Pantanal. She told me that if I ever had a story, to get in touch.
I have a friend in the UK, Neil. Whenever I am at home we go out for a pint. He tells me that some of the stuff I do out here is unique. So I told the journalist I would be the only British mature student graduating in my new career soon. I could be wrong. But I don't think so. I would like to know if I am. Free publicity and all that. If you've got it, flaunt it, as one of my Animal Science lecturers once told me.
More to the point, I told her about the toucan neonate. It is still alive; indeed thriving. This is because the vet has got its diet right. The only problem is that it seems likely that the bird wil be imprinted.
Imprinting is when young animals are reared by humans in the absence of their own kind. This is not a disaster in my opinion. This bird will serve a useful educational role. I intend to contact my professor to ask him if he minds my passing the info on to the journalist. He has a clinic so it will be good publicity for him. And I believe that what he has achieved with the toucan's nutrition is almost a first.
Imprinting has been used by Conservation Biologists. Especially Raptor Biologists. Pink the Mauritius Kestrel, who I knew personally, was an imprint and was conditioned to copulate into a rubber-brimmed hat. The case was made famous in Douglas Adams' and Mark Carwardine's book 'Last Chance to See'. So of this toucan... We believe it is an araçari... If this araçari turns out to be a male, maybe it can be conditioned to copulate with a hat. What an interesting blog that would be.
Sunday, 29 November 2015
Thursday, 26 November 2015
Muscovy Ducks. Fauna Cuiabana. Cuiaba Basin Fauna Project (CBFP) Pages
This is the week when the Project which forms the basis of these pages was submitted. As it happens, it doesn't mark the end of this series of pages. Last weekend I was in the Pantanal in a city called Santo Antônio de Leverger. I saw plenty of wildlife. Also, today the supervisor of my Project wants me to continue the research. So although the Project has now been submitted, the research goes on.
Here is the taxonomic classification of the Muscovy Duck
In Portuguese the species is called Pato-do-Mato, the Forest Duck.
They are very visible and common. Although I haven't consulted the Red List, I am a Conservation Biologist so can speak from hours of experience in the field. They are huge, heavy birds. My companions and I saw a male take off and it needed a runway of several metres.
They gave rise to the domestic duck of South América, according to Helmut Sick in his book Brazilian Ornithology.
Here is the taxonomic classification of the Muscovy Duck
- Kingdom Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes - the wildfowl.
- Family Anatidae
- Genus Cairina
- Species Cairina moschata
In Portuguese the species is called Pato-do-Mato, the Forest Duck.
They are very visible and common. Although I haven't consulted the Red List, I am a Conservation Biologist so can speak from hours of experience in the field. They are huge, heavy birds. My companions and I saw a male take off and it needed a runway of several metres.
They gave rise to the domestic duck of South América, according to Helmut Sick in his book Brazilian Ornithology.
Monday, 16 November 2015
Fork-Tailed Flycatcher. Fauna Cuiabana. Cuiabá Basin Fauna Project (CBFP) Pages
One of the interesting things about biology is convergent evolution. And one of the interesting things that I found today was that convergent evolution can be macro or micro and not just macro - species appearing similar across different parts of the globe.
The Fork-Tailed Flycatcher is one example. Evolutionary biologists may correct me regarding this and they are most welcome to do so. To me, the Fork-Tailed Flycatcher looks very like the Paradise Flycatcher of África and Asia. These majestic songbirds have tail trains ten-times the length of their body.
I saw one today over Avenida Rubens de Mendonça, the main street in Cuiabá. Whoever came to see the World Cup here will know it.
It is classified thus:
It is common and widespread and quite beautiful.
Happy birding!
The Fork-Tailed Flycatcher is one example. Evolutionary biologists may correct me regarding this and they are most welcome to do so. To me, the Fork-Tailed Flycatcher looks very like the Paradise Flycatcher of África and Asia. These majestic songbirds have tail trains ten-times the length of their body.
I saw one today over Avenida Rubens de Mendonça, the main street in Cuiabá. Whoever came to see the World Cup here will know it.
It is classified thus:
- Kingdom Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes (the songbirds or perching birds)
- Family Tyrannidae
- Subfamily Tyranninae
- Genus Tyrannus
- Species Tyrannus savana.
It is common and widespread and quite beautiful.
Happy birding!
Friday, 13 November 2015
Collaborating Over Wildlife.Fauna Cuiabana/Cuiabá Basin Fauna Project (CBFP) Pages
One of the earliest lessons we learn as conservationists and naturalists is that for a conservation project to work it needs local support. And money.
A lot of people over here use a free mobile-device text messaging service. You can create groups through it. I was particularly pleased this morning to see it being used by one of our lecturers here at the veterinary school I am about to graduate from.
He has set up a group that he calls 'Silvestres'. This is the Portuguese word for wildlife. In this group he has united a small group of people passionate about improving conditions and care for wild and exotic patients that come to our attention.
I am confident this group will work because we have specific objectives: to arrange a field visit tomorrow and coordinate feeds of a toucan chick.
If I have learned one thing at Vets' school it is the importance of team work.
A lot of people over here use a free mobile-device text messaging service. You can create groups through it. I was particularly pleased this morning to see it being used by one of our lecturers here at the veterinary school I am about to graduate from.
He has set up a group that he calls 'Silvestres'. This is the Portuguese word for wildlife. In this group he has united a small group of people passionate about improving conditions and care for wild and exotic patients that come to our attention.
I am confident this group will work because we have specific objectives: to arrange a field visit tomorrow and coordinate feeds of a toucan chick.
If I have learned one thing at Vets' school it is the importance of team work.
Thursday, 12 November 2015
Tropical Travellers' Tips. Cuiabá Basin Fauna Project Pages.
A visit to a dermatologist yielded useful tips for naturalists wanting to visit Tropical regions to view wildlife. Ecotourism hotspots don't get much hotter than the Cuiabá Basin. Birders, nature lovers, Field Biologists and Veterinarians can all benefit from the following advice.
I thought I would share this useful information. I am not a doctor. I include it here in good faith and as a cponsciousness-raiser. Two strengths of sun protection factor sun cream are recommended for the tropics, Sun Protection Factor (SPF 70) for the face and SPF 60 for the arms.
I was told to apply it twice a day; first thing in the morning and after lunch. That is, if you are having a day relaxing and acclimatising yourself and your children around your hotel or pousada. If you are planning a day with an excursion, apply the cream three times as each application only lasts about four hours. That is a very rough estimate. Apply at breakfast time, lunch time and mid-afternoon.
Alteratively, there are special protective clothes available. Although these will make you hotter and more likely to perspire. But the solution to that is to go more slowly. And anyway, if you are a field naturalist trying to observe wildlife you need to move slowly. Unless you are observing endangered Partula snails. But they don't occur in the Cuiabá Basin.
I thought I would share this useful information. I am not a doctor. I include it here in good faith and as a cponsciousness-raiser. Two strengths of sun protection factor sun cream are recommended for the tropics, Sun Protection Factor (SPF 70) for the face and SPF 60 for the arms.
I was told to apply it twice a day; first thing in the morning and after lunch. That is, if you are having a day relaxing and acclimatising yourself and your children around your hotel or pousada. If you are planning a day with an excursion, apply the cream three times as each application only lasts about four hours. That is a very rough estimate. Apply at breakfast time, lunch time and mid-afternoon.
Alteratively, there are special protective clothes available. Although these will make you hotter and more likely to perspire. But the solution to that is to go more slowly. And anyway, if you are a field naturalist trying to observe wildlife you need to move slowly. Unless you are observing endangered Partula snails. But they don't occur in the Cuiabá Basin.
Toucans. Fauna Cuiabana. Cuiabá Basin Fauna Project Pages.
I wrote on April 20th 2015 about Toco Toucans. That paage concerned adult birds. This one concerns nestlings. Here in the Cuiabá Basin in Western Brazil there are several species of toucan. There is the White throated toucan, the Channel-billed, Lettered Araçari, Red-necked Araçari and a couple of others.
It is a curious fact for naturalists that the commonest would appear to be the Toco Toucan. This species is classified according to Linnaeus' system of binomial nomenclature in the following way:
The English name is the Toco Toucan. The local Portuguese name is Tucanuçu.
Breeding Biology.
Around the world the breeding season for tropical birds seems to be from October. Just this week I have come across two nestlings. Yesterday it was a Toco Toucan chick, whilst earlier in the week it was a Ruddy Ground Dove.
The chick that was drawn to my attention yesterday is in the clinical analyses laboratory at the veterinary hospital here in the Cuiabá Basin region of Brazil. It must be less than a week old. It is highly vocal and faces two challenges. The first one is being fed a suitable diet. The second one is not imprinting upon its human carers. Time will tell.
It is a curious fact for naturalists that the commonest would appear to be the Toco Toucan. This species is classified according to Linnaeus' system of binomial nomenclature in the following way:
- Kingdom Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Aves
- Order Piciformes
- Family Ramphastidae (Toucans and araçaris
- Genus Ramphastos
- Species Ramphastos toco.
The English name is the Toco Toucan. The local Portuguese name is Tucanuçu.
Breeding Biology.
Around the world the breeding season for tropical birds seems to be from October. Just this week I have come across two nestlings. Yesterday it was a Toco Toucan chick, whilst earlier in the week it was a Ruddy Ground Dove.
The chick that was drawn to my attention yesterday is in the clinical analyses laboratory at the veterinary hospital here in the Cuiabá Basin region of Brazil. It must be less than a week old. It is highly vocal and faces two challenges. The first one is being fed a suitable diet. The second one is not imprinting upon its human carers. Time will tell.
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
Ruddy Ground Dove. Fauna Cuiabana. Cuiabá Basin Willdlife Project Pages
For the sake of completeness this bird, arguably one of the commonest in Brazil, is included in the archive. This bird was examined as a nestling weighing 20g. Its heart beat was so fast through the stethoscope as to be a constant whirr. More than two beats per second. I estimated 800 per minute.
The Ruddy Ground Dove is classified taxonomically thus:
The physiological values for the nestling found in my garden appear in my veterinary monograph from which this archive arises.
In terms of its Conservation Biology, the bird is ubiquitous in the Cuiabá Basin and throught Brazil.
In terms of its Field Biology, it is found from gound level to the tallest skyscrapers.
In terms of its habitat management, it doesn't need any as it is found in many habitats.
The Ruddy Ground Dove is classified taxonomically thus:
- Kingdom Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Aves
- Order Columbiformes
- Family Columbidae
- Genus Columbina
- Species talpacoti.
The physiological values for the nestling found in my garden appear in my veterinary monograph from which this archive arises.
In terms of its Conservation Biology, the bird is ubiquitous in the Cuiabá Basin and throught Brazil.
In terms of its Field Biology, it is found from gound level to the tallest skyscrapers.
In terms of its habitat management, it doesn't need any as it is found in many habitats.
Fauna Cuiabana: Aplomado Falcon. Cuiabá Basin Fauna Project Pages.
Welcome back to the Cuiabá Basin Wildlife Project Pages (CBWP), an archive on the conservation biology, field biology, taxonomy and natural history of the animals of the Cuiabá Basin in central South América. On these pages we present information on the conservation biology, field biology and habitat of animals studied as part of a veterinary monograph. The monograph on these species veterianry parameters will be published elsewhere.
This page is about the Aplomado Falcon, whose taxonomic classification is thus:
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species version 3.1 indicates that this species is of least concern but decreasing.
This is probably due to habitat fragmentation and urbanisation. The species is within the urban municipality of Cuiabá.
In flight it looks very similar to an American Kestrel. Whilst some of the literature states that it is impossible to get an idea of size when a raptor is in flight, with sufficient familiarity in the field it is not difficult to see that the Aplomado is bigger than an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). Of course, the Aplomado's field characeteristics can be found readily in any field guide on raptors. Particularly recommended is the author Helmut Sick's
There is some conjecture over the Aplomado Falcon's migratory behaviour. From a quick scan of the later book's species decsription it seems the Aplomado is partially migratory.
Flight Behaviour., It is low-flying and would appear to be a generalista feeder upon small terrestial prey. It is groound feeding, rarely taking birds in flight.
Breeding Behaviour: sparse information in the literature. Reading the second book listed above, I would suggest the lowland South American sub-species Falco femoralis femoralis nests during the local wet season - September to April. A clutch of two siblings came to my attention last night and they would appear to be a month old.
I hope you have found this information a useful awareness-raiser on some aspects of the natural history of this beautiful bird. Until next time, 'bye for now.
This page is about the Aplomado Falcon, whose taxonomic classification is thus:
- Kingdom Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Aves
- Order Falconiformes
- Family Falconidae
- Genus Falco
- Species Falco femoralis
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species version 3.1 indicates that this species is of least concern but decreasing.
This is probably due to habitat fragmentation and urbanisation. The species is within the urban municipality of Cuiabá.
In flight it looks very similar to an American Kestrel. Whilst some of the literature states that it is impossible to get an idea of size when a raptor is in flight, with sufficient familiarity in the field it is not difficult to see that the Aplomado is bigger than an American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). Of course, the Aplomado's field characeteristics can be found readily in any field guide on raptors. Particularly recommended is the author Helmut Sick's
- Brazilian Ornithology.
- Also 'Raptors of the World by Ferguson-Lees and Christie.
There is some conjecture over the Aplomado Falcon's migratory behaviour. From a quick scan of the later book's species decsription it seems the Aplomado is partially migratory.
Flight Behaviour., It is low-flying and would appear to be a generalista feeder upon small terrestial prey. It is groound feeding, rarely taking birds in flight.
Breeding Behaviour: sparse information in the literature. Reading the second book listed above, I would suggest the lowland South American sub-species Falco femoralis femoralis nests during the local wet season - September to April. A clutch of two siblings came to my attention last night and they would appear to be a month old.
I hope you have found this information a useful awareness-raiser on some aspects of the natural history of this beautiful bird. Until next time, 'bye for now.
Sunday, 8 November 2015
Azara's Night Monkey. Fauna Cuiabana. Cuiabá Basin Fauna Project Pages.
This is one of the most chrismatic species to be included on these pages. On these pages we present information on the conservation biology, field biology and habitat of animals studied as part of a veterinary monograph which will be published elsewhere.
This page is about the Azara's Night Monkey, whose taxonomic classification is thus:
The main threat to the species is habitat destruction. That is, forest fragmentation..
It is apparently common. There are three subspecies. It is crepuscular ie active during during dawn and dusk. Its habitat is primary and secondary forest. The diet includes necatr, fruit, leaves and insects. They are monogamous and live in small family groups. Males reach sexual maturity at two years and females at 3-4.
The animal I examined weighed 1.2kg. It is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species 2008.
This page is about the Azara's Night Monkey, whose taxonomic classification is thus:
- Kingdom Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Mammalia
- Order Primata
- Family Aotidae
- Genus Aotus
- Species Aotus infulatus
- Sub-species Aotus azarae infulatus
The main threat to the species is habitat destruction. That is, forest fragmentation..
It is apparently common. There are three subspecies. It is crepuscular ie active during during dawn and dusk. Its habitat is primary and secondary forest. The diet includes necatr, fruit, leaves and insects. They are monogamous and live in small family groups. Males reach sexual maturity at two years and females at 3-4.
The animal I examined weighed 1.2kg. It is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species 2008.
Fauna Cuiabana. Cuiabá Basin Fauna Project Pages. Ocelots.
Last week another Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis was at the veterinary hospital here in the Cuiabá Basin region in Brazil.
It had been kept as a pet but as it had grown it had become less manageable. It had been passed into the care of the authorities. They had brought it to the veterinary hospital.
I have written before, briefly, about Ocelots. They are apparently common in the Cuiabá Basin. This is the second I have come across in six months.
A veterinary surgeon once told me that the quality of a spotted cat's coat is reflective of its general state of health. I was able to take some vita life sign parameters on this animal, but they will appear elsewhere. This page covers other aspects of the Ocelot.
I estimated this one as weighing between 10 and 15 kg, although I wasn't able to weigh it. It was a mature male. I was struck by its placidity, although this is a deceptive behaviour with wild animals. It was alert, watchful and responsive to its environment. Its eyes were clear and large. Its coat was glossy and healthy. I was helped by Mateus, a veterinary nurse and together we moved the Ocelot to a fresh enclosure so that the other could be cleaned out.
Ocelots are jungle cats and their gorgeous pelage is spotted and striped. This is cryptic camouflage. It enables them to remain hidden in th heat of the day in the shade on the forest floor, if they lie still.
They are clean, hardy and I could feel that this one was very strong. Its claws stayed retracted during the procedure.
This is a short page in which I have attempted to shed some light on the Ocelot's behaviour and habits. I hope you found it informatve and interesting.
It had been kept as a pet but as it had grown it had become less manageable. It had been passed into the care of the authorities. They had brought it to the veterinary hospital.
I have written before, briefly, about Ocelots. They are apparently common in the Cuiabá Basin. This is the second I have come across in six months.
A veterinary surgeon once told me that the quality of a spotted cat's coat is reflective of its general state of health. I was able to take some vita life sign parameters on this animal, but they will appear elsewhere. This page covers other aspects of the Ocelot.
I estimated this one as weighing between 10 and 15 kg, although I wasn't able to weigh it. It was a mature male. I was struck by its placidity, although this is a deceptive behaviour with wild animals. It was alert, watchful and responsive to its environment. Its eyes were clear and large. Its coat was glossy and healthy. I was helped by Mateus, a veterinary nurse and together we moved the Ocelot to a fresh enclosure so that the other could be cleaned out.
Ocelots are jungle cats and their gorgeous pelage is spotted and striped. This is cryptic camouflage. It enables them to remain hidden in th heat of the day in the shade on the forest floor, if they lie still.
They are clean, hardy and I could feel that this one was very strong. Its claws stayed retracted during the procedure.
This is a short page in which I have attempted to shed some light on the Ocelot's behaviour and habits. I hope you found it informatve and interesting.
Saturday, 7 November 2015
Fauna Cuiabana. Cuiabá Basin Fauna Project Pages: Spot-Breasted Woodpecker Natural History
Welcome to the Cuiabá Basin Wildlife Project pages. These are a series of pages each of which covers the natural history, field biology, habitats and conservation biology ie level of endangerment of wild animal species found in the Cuiabá Basin. The Cuaibá Basin is a unique area that Field Biologist call an ecotone. An ecotone is an area where several habitats come together. In the Cuiabá Basin these include the Pantanal (a wetland), the cerrado (savannah) and gallery forest, a riparian habitat. Ecotourists and birdwatchers (birders) delight in coming to the area for its wildlife diversity. That biodiversity has evolved as a result of the habitat diversity arising from this ecotone.
In terms of what one of my old teachers used to call political geography the Cuiabá Basin covers the municipalities of Cuiabá, Varzea Grande, Poconé, Santo Antônio de Leverger and Cangas, all in the state of Mato Grosso in Central Western Brazil.
These pages are inspired by a study on the veterinary aspects of Cuiabá Basin animals that are in-patients at one of the region's veterinary hospitals. I use the world 'inspired' because the veterinary care of these animals appears in a monograph which I am writing as I complete Veterinary School in the region.
I am also a qualified Conservation Biologist, Habitat Manager and Field Biologist. Whilst the veterinary parameters of these species covered in these pages appears in my monograph, a blog seems the perfect place to write about the conservation biology, field biology and habitat preference of the species under study.
Without further ado, the first entry is on the Spot-Breasted Woodpecker, Colaptes punctigula. This is a gorgeous bird. The best field guide to use to identiify it is the
The book gives the habitat as being the 'middlegrowth' layer of forests. As a Field Biologist my desire is to clarify that. Perhaps it is what I call the shrub-layer or understorey. The book notes that the species' ethiology is little known.
Version 3.1 of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List states the species as being of least concern and increasing.
The specimen at my vets' school clearly is in good health and has been deposited there by the wildlife authorities for expediency pending release.
In terms of what one of my old teachers used to call political geography the Cuiabá Basin covers the municipalities of Cuiabá, Varzea Grande, Poconé, Santo Antônio de Leverger and Cangas, all in the state of Mato Grosso in Central Western Brazil.
These pages are inspired by a study on the veterinary aspects of Cuiabá Basin animals that are in-patients at one of the region's veterinary hospitals. I use the world 'inspired' because the veterinary care of these animals appears in a monograph which I am writing as I complete Veterinary School in the region.
I am also a qualified Conservation Biologist, Habitat Manager and Field Biologist. Whilst the veterinary parameters of these species covered in these pages appears in my monograph, a blog seems the perfect place to write about the conservation biology, field biology and habitat preference of the species under study.
Without further ado, the first entry is on the Spot-Breasted Woodpecker, Colaptes punctigula. This is a gorgeous bird. The best field guide to use to identiify it is the
- Avis Brasilis Field Guide to the Birds of Brazil, written by Tomas Sigrist and published by Avis Brasilis.
The book gives the habitat as being the 'middlegrowth' layer of forests. As a Field Biologist my desire is to clarify that. Perhaps it is what I call the shrub-layer or understorey. The book notes that the species' ethiology is little known.
Version 3.1 of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List states the species as being of least concern and increasing.
The specimen at my vets' school clearly is in good health and has been deposited there by the wildlife authorities for expediency pending release.
English Class on the Usage of 'e.g.' and 'cherubim'.
Today I gave an English class to a Brazilian student who is a manager with a multinational corporation. He needs English for speaking with and e-mailing American and German colleagues. I enjoy giving him classes because the class content requires me to keep updated. Today we studied fun books for learning grammar, an acronym and an item of vocabulary.
I don't dislike teaching grammar. It is an essential part of teaching English as a foreign language. I almost always need to use a textbook. And textbooks that fator in a fun element are worth their weight in gold. I used three this morning.
My student asked what 'e.g.' stood for. This is a common question. The MacMillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners has the answer. 'E.g.' comes from the Latin exempli gratia, which means "for the sake of example".
One of my student's final important questions arose from his coming across the word 'cherubim' in one of those amusing grammar books listed above. I reached fro my dictionary, as I do in such circumstances. I couldn't find the word. My explanation was that 'cherubic' is an adjective whilst 'cherubim' could be the noun from the adjective. Now I realise I meant 'cherub'. If you can educate me on this point of fundamental semantic importance, please do.
I don't dislike teaching grammar. It is an essential part of teaching English as a foreign language. I almost always need to use a textbook. And textbooks that fator in a fun element are worth their weight in gold. I used three this morning.
- Lost for Words: The Mangling and Manipulating of the English Language. Humphrys, J. 2004. Hodder and Stoughton, London.
- Eats, Shoots and Leaves. Truss, L. 2005. Profile Books Ltd., London.
- Getting the Point. Haddon, J. and Hawksley, E. 2006. Floris Books, Edinburgh.
My student asked what 'e.g.' stood for. This is a common question. The MacMillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners has the answer. 'E.g.' comes from the Latin exempli gratia, which means "for the sake of example".
One of my student's final important questions arose from his coming across the word 'cherubim' in one of those amusing grammar books listed above. I reached fro my dictionary, as I do in such circumstances. I couldn't find the word. My explanation was that 'cherubic' is an adjective whilst 'cherubim' could be the noun from the adjective. Now I realise I meant 'cherub'. If you can educate me on this point of fundamental semantic importance, please do.
Studies of Cuiabá Basin Wildlife
The Cuiabá Basin lies in the centre of South América in the state of Mato Grosso, Central Western Brazil. It includes the city of Cuiabá, the Pantanal and surounding cerrado. Just over a year ago I was studying the raptors that came into the veterinary hospital in Cuiabá. Then I was struck by the diversity of other wildlife being brought in and decided these patients were too interesting not to be covered in the final monograph for my course.
Students on the small animal clinical module of their clinical rotations measure the vital life sign parameters of dog and cat in-patients on a daily basis. I decided that by the simple expediency of extending these protocols to wild animals being brought in by the authorities, a lot of important data could be collected.
Yesterday was a case in point and I was able to measure heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature of eight animals belonging to seven species.
From a Conservation Biology point of view the most interesting animal was the Feline Night Monkey,an endangered species. From a Field Biologist's point of view, the most interesting was the Ocelot because these are a top predator and also the Dot-Fronted Woodpecker because it is so unusual to have the opportunity to examine one.
Students on the small animal clinical module of their clinical rotations measure the vital life sign parameters of dog and cat in-patients on a daily basis. I decided that by the simple expediency of extending these protocols to wild animals being brought in by the authorities, a lot of important data could be collected.
Yesterday was a case in point and I was able to measure heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature of eight animals belonging to seven species.
- Ocelot Leopardus pardalis
- Feline Night Monkey Aotus infulatus
- Striped Owl Asio clamator
- Turquoise-fronted Parrot Amazona aestiva
- Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
- Dot-fronted Woodpecker Veniliornis frontalis
- Crested Caracara Polyborus plancus
From a Conservation Biology point of view the most interesting animal was the Feline Night Monkey,an endangered species. From a Field Biologist's point of view, the most interesting was the Ocelot because these are a top predator and also the Dot-Fronted Woodpecker because it is so unusual to have the opportunity to examine one.
Thursday, 5 November 2015
Sexing Falcons - the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Technique
There are various ways of doing this. In this blog I am talking about sexing captive-bred falcons.
If your interest is in free-flying, wild, non-captive bred individuals then you will need a good field guide and good binoculars. As to choice of binocular, that really is a personal choice. Recently I was talking to an expert ornithologist demonstrating binoculars and telescopes at a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) nature reserve in Conwy in my native North Wales. He basically said that choice of binocular is less to do with price and more to do with whether the binocular suits your vision.
When I had an agreement with Brazil's federal environment agency to take in and rehabilitate birds of prey part of that agreement involved sexing the birds that were my repsonsibility. It is a fairly invasive process but the ends justify the means. A minimal blood sample is taken from the tip of a talon and placed on special filter paper provided by a comercial laboratory. To the slip of paper is added the bird's ring number and other identification details (species, age) and then an accompanying form is completed and the whole lot popped in an envelope and sent to São Paulo. You get the result over e-mail within days so as to progress your pairings and a very smart certificate several days later. Good for people who are breeding pedigree birds.
That's how I used to do it and I always found the company processed the samples in good time and reliably.
If your interest is in free-flying, wild, non-captive bred individuals then you will need a good field guide and good binoculars. As to choice of binocular, that really is a personal choice. Recently I was talking to an expert ornithologist demonstrating binoculars and telescopes at a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) nature reserve in Conwy in my native North Wales. He basically said that choice of binocular is less to do with price and more to do with whether the binocular suits your vision.
When I had an agreement with Brazil's federal environment agency to take in and rehabilitate birds of prey part of that agreement involved sexing the birds that were my repsonsibility. It is a fairly invasive process but the ends justify the means. A minimal blood sample is taken from the tip of a talon and placed on special filter paper provided by a comercial laboratory. To the slip of paper is added the bird's ring number and other identification details (species, age) and then an accompanying form is completed and the whole lot popped in an envelope and sent to São Paulo. You get the result over e-mail within days so as to progress your pairings and a very smart certificate several days later. Good for people who are breeding pedigree birds.
That's how I used to do it and I always found the company processed the samples in good time and reliably.
Monday, 2 November 2015
How not to Meet the Governor!
Yesterday I doorstepped the State Governor. As I turned the corner I saw him and realised a) I had no idea how to spell his name nor b) what, in fact, was the correct pronunciation of same. I figure if you are going to walk up and introduce yourself to the man these really are fundamental considerations that sort of go hand in hand with being well prepared for such an encounter. Then I reminded myself that this was in fact merely a chance encounter - and one not to be missed. I knew the Guv'nor and I could become potentially very good friends, confiding in each other, doing the school run when one or other was ill, exchanging 'Mystery Friend' Christmas presents. He just didn't know any of these things yet.
And I was feeling at peace with the World having just come out of an afternoon showing of 'Friday the 13th'. It was Hallowe'en and I had been eight years old when the film was released and thus a little young to be watching people dying violent and grisly deaths. But with a belly full of toffee popcorn and with a finger rubbing away the final traces of the sugary snack from my incisors I crossed the foyer of the shopping mall and introduced myself. I knew the Governor must be a people person the way he was sat prominently in the foyer with no security. I presume protocol exists for these things and, born iconoclast that I am, I went ahead and breached it.
I cannot vote here. I would if I could, but I can't. I have a permanent visa here, indeed am totally legal. Mrs Beaumont is Brazilian. You cannot imagine, you really cannot imagine, the jaw-dropping complexity of marrying in Brazil. I needed papers issuing in Britain from a minister of religion that I was a person free to marry. Since I didn'y know any ministers of religion, I had to get my Mum to obtain this. I won't even start to tell you what you have to do to get a university degree revalidated in Brazil. That's a whole different blog.
When you fly over to Brazil, you enter on a tourist's visa. Within three months you have to report to the Federal Police to apply for a permanente visa. I am a lttle fuzzy on the details, frankly, but I am sure that, as part of the process, you have to provide lots of documents that have been issued in your country of origin, stamped by a Notary Public, brought to Brazil, translated by An Official Translator (don't even think of skipping this part, neither the translation nor the officialdom), turn up at the church, say "sim" during all appropriate pauses, ensure a true aim when going in for the kiss, then set up home together. A Federal Police officer will then come and visit you to make sure this is not a sham wedding. Weeks of uncertainty over procedure run into months. After a long, long time you can go to the Federa Police to pick up something resembling a plastic credit card that permits you to stay for ten years. Mine comes in an attractive shade of ochre.
In short, I believe it is easier to prove your innocence and escape corporal punishment in a minor African republic than it is to marry in Brazil.
Of course, the Governor and I kept it light and didn't even touch on any of these things. Instead, we discussed the jaw-dropping awfulness of Saturday morning tv and how to house-train Vietnamense pot-bellied piglets (a shared interest, I believe). Then I was hungry and excused myself to go and get some more popcorn.
And I was feeling at peace with the World having just come out of an afternoon showing of 'Friday the 13th'. It was Hallowe'en and I had been eight years old when the film was released and thus a little young to be watching people dying violent and grisly deaths. But with a belly full of toffee popcorn and with a finger rubbing away the final traces of the sugary snack from my incisors I crossed the foyer of the shopping mall and introduced myself. I knew the Governor must be a people person the way he was sat prominently in the foyer with no security. I presume protocol exists for these things and, born iconoclast that I am, I went ahead and breached it.
I cannot vote here. I would if I could, but I can't. I have a permanent visa here, indeed am totally legal. Mrs Beaumont is Brazilian. You cannot imagine, you really cannot imagine, the jaw-dropping complexity of marrying in Brazil. I needed papers issuing in Britain from a minister of religion that I was a person free to marry. Since I didn'y know any ministers of religion, I had to get my Mum to obtain this. I won't even start to tell you what you have to do to get a university degree revalidated in Brazil. That's a whole different blog.
When you fly over to Brazil, you enter on a tourist's visa. Within three months you have to report to the Federal Police to apply for a permanente visa. I am a lttle fuzzy on the details, frankly, but I am sure that, as part of the process, you have to provide lots of documents that have been issued in your country of origin, stamped by a Notary Public, brought to Brazil, translated by An Official Translator (don't even think of skipping this part, neither the translation nor the officialdom), turn up at the church, say "sim" during all appropriate pauses, ensure a true aim when going in for the kiss, then set up home together. A Federal Police officer will then come and visit you to make sure this is not a sham wedding. Weeks of uncertainty over procedure run into months. After a long, long time you can go to the Federa Police to pick up something resembling a plastic credit card that permits you to stay for ten years. Mine comes in an attractive shade of ochre.
In short, I believe it is easier to prove your innocence and escape corporal punishment in a minor African republic than it is to marry in Brazil.
Of course, the Governor and I kept it light and didn't even touch on any of these things. Instead, we discussed the jaw-dropping awfulness of Saturday morning tv and how to house-train Vietnamense pot-bellied piglets (a shared interest, I believe). Then I was hungry and excused myself to go and get some more popcorn.
Sunday, 1 November 2015
What to Do with Abandoned Wild Birds
Just before I left the UK to return to Brazil this week I got a call from an old friend. I have just spent the most mrvellous few weeks on assignment in my hometown. I met lots of friends I was in school with and spent the most time in the UK that I have spent in 13 years.
One of the friends that I met lives locally with her sisters. We hadn't seen each other for years. Anyway, knowing my background sheasked what to do with an abandoned, injured Magpie. Her call raised a number of issues.
Because the bird was alone, she assumed it was an inexperienced chick or first-year bird that had perhaps fallen from its nest and could not be found by its mother. Naturalists will tell you this is seldom the case and that
Much of the time people in the UK find tawny owl chicks and the above guidelenes appy in such cases.
One of the friends that I met lives locally with her sisters. We hadn't seen each other for years. Anyway, knowing my background sheasked what to do with an abandoned, injured Magpie. Her call raised a number of issues.
- First, giving advice over the telefone. Clinical cases need to be seen.
Because the bird was alone, she assumed it was an inexperienced chick or first-year bird that had perhaps fallen from its nest and could not be found by its mother. Naturalists will tell you this is seldom the case and that
- the bird should be left alone because usually its parents will return to feed it.
- If injured, then that is a different matter and the bird should be taken to a vet.
- If the bird has already been picked up and removed from where you found it, and if it is uninjured, take it back where you found it in good time because its parents may be looking for it.
- In the UK it could be a pest species, but that issue is beyond the scope of this article.
Much of the time people in the UK find tawny owl chicks and the above guidelenes appy in such cases.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)