This
course is designed to provide you with both a background in important
issues of primate ecology as well as a sound foundation in field techniques
for the study of primate ecology and behavior. Through lectures, readings,
discussions, and field training you will learn the basics of ecological
method and theory. Equally important, you will develop the concepts
and skills to create, implement, analyze, and present the results of
an independent field research project. This course consists of five
components: lectures, discussions of topics in primate ecology, group
field exercises, and an independent field research project. Concepts
and theories discussed in lecture will be illustrated through field
observations. The material covered in this course is equivalent to a
university upper level course in primate ecology.
1) In the ITEC info. packet, binoculars are listed. They are essential
for this course, but the type of binoculars is also important. Good
binoculars allow you to see the details of a monkey’s behaviors:
the difference in being able to see that a monkey is eating and being
able to see what it is eating. Most birdwatcher’s websites provide
good background information on differences between binoculars. Depending
on what you can afford, I would recommend getting 10 x 30 or 10 x 45
binoculars. They don’t have to be expensive- I got a great pair
of waterproof 10 x 30s on sale last year for $70. Also, when purchasing
binoculars, pay attention to their weight. You will spend a large part
of each day looking through the binoculars, so lighter weight is better.
2) The ITEC website
asks you to bring a water bottle. I would recommend 2 water bottles
that carry at least 1 liter each. Most students tend to go through a
lot of water in the first week of class as their bodies adapt to the
climate.
3) The ITEC info. packet suggests bringing a flashlight. I bring flashlights
as back-up, but I find it easier to move around the forest with a headlamp.
Petzl makes a great inexpensive headlamp that is waterproof. Remember
to bring extra batteries or pick some up in Bocas town on the day you
arrive.
4) Comfortable day pack. Each day you will be carrying 2 liters of water,
compass, notebook, pencils, binoculars, first aid kit, a couple of sandwiches,
headlamp, extra batteries, and possibly other field equipment such as
dbh tapes, meter tapes, etc. with you into the forest. Be sure you have
a day pack that can contain all the equipment.
5) If you purchase the smaller size (about 20 pages) rite in the rain
notebooks, try to bring 2-3 of those. If you purchase one of the larger,
hard-bound notebooks, one should be sufficient.
6) Remember, that pens don’t work for rite in the rain notebooks,
you should bring pencils.
7) Some students bring small clipboards for writing in their notebooks
during data collection.
8) Calculator
9) If you feel comfortable bringing a laptop, its not a bad idea. Pros
to bringing a laptop: it can sometimes get crowded on the station’s
computers when project proposals and final papers/presentations are
being prepared. Cons: crime is relatively low at the station, but we
have seen an increase in tourists in the last few years. Also rain and
humidity can affect some computers.
10) If you don’t bring a laptop, do try to bring a USB drive (AKA:
memory stick, jump drive) this will give you the flexibility to move
between different computers and have a back-up for all of your work.
11) You may also want to bring some non-rite in the rain notebooks for
class notes and for taking the essay exam.
12) cheap pair of leather gardening gloves. Not essential for most.
I use them because I am allergic to some of the plants and we do some
exercises where you will be taking vegetation measurements and samples.
They are also nice to have if I am able to arrange a day for us to climb
to the canopy platform.
13) Benadryl. Caplets or tablets, not the topical benadryl. This is
the most essential component of any fieldworker’s first aid kit
(as long as there is no medical reason for you not to take it)
14) Antibiotic for treating diarrhea. If your physician is comfortable
prescribing an antibiotic for this circumstance, I would suggest bringing
some.
15)Timex Ironman Watch or other
watch with countdown mode and an alarm.
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