Friday, August 24, 2012

On work with Madras Crocodile bank trust participants

documenting fossorial species under humus with participants.
Nirmal Kulkarni and young team observes a travancore wolf snake. It is an endemic species to the Western Ghats of India.

Nirmal Kulkarni outlines target species for the program along with Dr Gowri Mallapur of the Madras Crocodile bank Trust.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Camera Trap sessions and use

Setting camera traps with interns/participants. This exercise helps wildlife enthusiasts help the need for long term research and highlights the use of such equipment in small mammal studies too.
 Setting of a camera trap is as essential as knowing how it functions. It is also an important tool to keep a track on poachers and illegal timber/firewood collectors. Camera traps are thus like eyes in a forest and help record data in areas where there is a shortage of field staff too.
Once set, the camera trap triggers on a heat sensor mechanism in this case and helps document the mammal that has caused it to trigger.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Glimpses of 3rd Pit Viper Expedition 2012

Nirmal explains aims and objectives of the expedition.

Amey Salvi  a member crossing a stream.

Mittal Gala, Resource person shows use of Weather meter

Nirmal explains plateau ecology and its use by herpetofauna

All images courtesy- Mittal Gala

Ariel root and water droplet