Lace Monitor Research Project

[hazzard]

The University of Western Sydney has been carrying out a scientific research project on Lace Monitors. This projects is headed by Dr Jason Flesch (lecturer in Animal Science).

I am lucky to be involved in this project with Jason and others in the Warragamba catchment area.

The project aims hope to increase the understanding of the home range of wild lace monitors, about places they hibernate and movements they make using GPS data taken 12 times a day. This data gives us information such as location and elevation tracked by SIRTRACK sattelites.

Here in this thread is just a touch of information and pictures to get you excited. ENJOY!


Firstly we were staying at the township of Yerrandarie at the back of the Warragamba catchment area! An historic town which was populated heavily before the flooding of the burragorang valley when creating the Warragamba dam (Sydney's water supply).

We stayed at the old Police station which is used primarily by NPWS as accomadation when working in the area.

 

[hazzard]

One of Yerrandaries resident lace monitors!

 

[hazzard]

From Yerandarie,

We head into the Warragmaba Catchment area. (This area has highly restricted access and is protected by the government catchment authorities)

 

[hazzard]

Firstly the traps are set in particular locations where Lace Monitor activity has been observed or tail drags have been found.

Animals are captured, measured SVL and Total Length, Weighed and kept calm in a bag!

 

[hazzard]

From this point the animal is prepared for the fitting of the GPS tracking device, which is also fitted with a VHF tracker as so locating and tracking the animals is possible.

The tracker is placed in a sewn denim pouch and glued to the animal. This tracker is tested and activated and then once the glue has dried the animal is then released.

 

[urodacus_au]

Great thread mate, make sure you post regular updates. What sort of costs are involved fitting the satellite trackers?

Jordan

 

[hazzard]

So far we have 6 animals out there fitted with the GPS trackers. These trackers will more than likely be dropped from the animal after ecdysis of the skin and then we have to VHF track them to retrieve the GPS unit to enable us to download the information.

So far we have 5 animals that have retained their GPS tracker for over a month! Over the last 3 days we have managed to track these animals and find their locations (although through quite ridiculous and harsh terrain) using the VHF trackers.

 

[hazzard]

Some more pics of the tracked animals. Some of the trackers have lifted slightly and a few animals have began to shed.

What was interesting was that animals were still able to be tracked in wombat burrows and under logs from over 2km away to their precise location which was encouraging as this technology is improving yearly.

 

[hazzard]

A few more;

 

[hazzard]

This project is in it's early days, and as can be imagined is expensive and labour intensive. The terrain is difficult and the methods are still being perfected but so far so good.

It is hoped with time that we will have several more animals and possibly with smaller animals as well using new mini trackers.

The data we get from this will be different than other studies that have been done as the have relied on just radio tracking. This GPS data should open up some knowledge of their private lives.

Regular updates of this project and others will be made as results have been obtained. Please enjoy!

Special thanks to Nephrurus (Henry) who accompanied us on this strip and provided valuable assistance. Henry please feel free to add some of your photos to this thread.

All for now!

Cheers

 

[Shonfield]

hate to be 'that guy'
but i think its cruel to glue a pouch to a lace monitors back...

 

[hazzard]

hate to be 'that guy'
but i think its cruel to glue a pouch to a lace monitors back...

We have a DEC scientific permit and animal ethics approval to undertake this study using these methods. They have been used previously in many reptile studies. As mentioned in the thread it will simply be "shed off" probably in Spring!

 

[pugsly]

Awesome mate, wish I could have joined ya looks like fun!

Nice pics too

 

[alex_c]

great thread and interesting project.

 

[alex_c]

hate to be 'that guy'
but i think its cruel to glue a pouch to a lace monitors back...

its not cruel at all it will just fall off when he/she sheds next. you do realise superglue is commonly used for correcing problems in lizards right? such as baby beardies with a crooked spine etc it is used to attach a splint to correct it. so it is perfectly safe and humane.

 

[Minka]

Wow great work hazz and neph, those lacies are beautiful... how did they go being caught?

 

[$NaKe PiMp]

nice one hazza,careful those buggers bite lol

 

[hazzard]

Hey Minka,

Some are aggressive in the cage and some are not at all. Generally the ones trapped on hot days in the middle of the day are the most feisty! The last one pictured on releasing was very placid didn't bat an eyelid.

 

[Minka]

Hey Minka,

Some are aggressive in the cage and some are not at all. Generally the ones trapped on hot days in the middle of the day are the most feisty! The last one pictured on releasing was very placid didn't bat an eyelid.

Hahaha if i was trapped in a cage in the middle of the day id probably have heat stroke and be delusional

 

[hazzard]

The traps are checked regularly at all parts of the day. Our permit insists on this. Traps are placed always in the shade. And Minka, your delusional without SUN lol!