Fri July 2 ST. CATHERINES ISLAND

7:00 am: Breakfast

8:00 - 9:30 am: Field Demonstration: Reptile and Amphibian Capture Techniques

Instructors: Hagen, Andrews, Norton, Segars, Gonyer, Jensen

We observed various traps and techniques for sampling reptile and amphibian populations, and helped biologists check traps set the night before for reptile and amphibian captures. We caught several small alligators, lots of newts and frogs, several crayfish, and some scary looking beetles. Unfortunately, all of this occurred in a hard rain so I did not pack my camera.

10:00 am -12:00 pm: Field Exercise: Telemetry

Instructors: Keith-Lukas, Gilardi, Inman, and Beasley

We used radiotelemetry receivers and antennae to locate troops of lemurs that are free-ranging on St. Catherine's Island. It was super fun to learn how to use this type of equipment.

12:00 pm: Lunch

1:00-1:45 pm: Gopher Tortoise Conservation on St. Catherines Islad

Instructor: Norton

An overview of St. Catherines Island’s translocated gopher tortoise population.

2:00-5:00 pm: Field Exercise: Gopher Tortoise Health Assessment and Conservation

Instructors: Norton, Segars, Hagen, Andrews, Gonyer, Jensen, Greco

We conducted annual health assessments on the St. Catherines Island gopher tortoise population, which was established with a translocation effort from the mainland more than 10 years ago. We learned about diseases of free-ranging tortoises, gopher tortoise ecology and breeding biology, and free-ranging gopher tortoise management in the southeast. I worked with Amelie (with help from Jasper) in conducting the health assessment. Drawing blood was much harder the expected and I think we only got about 0.4 mL before deciding we were putting too much stress on our animal.

4:30 - 6:30 pm: Beach Time!

Kirsten drove us to the sandy beach to play in the warm waters!

6:30 pm: Dinner; evening free

After Dinner I joined a group of undergraduates spending time on the island (including some one from the University of Oregon) to have a few beers before returning the guest house to play Taboo with some of the non-native English speakers…