10 February 2011

In exactly one month from today we will be setting mongoose traps on Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge for the first time in 2011. I am ready for a break from this harsh New England weather (I like the snow but not the bitter cold arctic air and windchill).

We have several WSU students and some very dear colleagues that will be helping us with some new approaches to studying mongoose movements. One new technique that should provide us with greater insight into short-term movements is the use of fluorescent dyes to track the movements of mongoose in their natural habitats. Simply put, this entails covering the animals with a non-toxic fluorescent powder that easily brushes off the animal as it moves through its habitat. The trails are detected through use of long wave UV LED headlamps and marked through use of GPS units. We expect to produce some very detailed maps of mongoose movements during our ten-day expedition. Stay-tuned for more information!