DOCSLIB.ORG

Otter Spotter

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Otter Spotter Rochester Institute of Technology RIT Scholar Works Theses Thesis/Dissertation Collections 2-6-2012 Otter spotter: The rC eation and evaluation of an educational resource for the association of zoos and aquariums, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the Seneca Park Zoo Emily Coon-Frisch Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.rit.edu/theses Recommended Citation Coon-Frisch, Emily, "Otter spotter: The rC eation and evaluation of an educational resource for the association of zoos and aquariums, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the Seneca Park Zoo" (2012). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology. Accessed from This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Thesis/Dissertation Collections at RIT Scholar Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses by an authorized administrator of RIT Scholar Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. OTTER SPOTTER: THE CREATION AND EVALUATION OF AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS, ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, AND THE SENECA PARK ZOO Emily Coon-Frisch February 6, 2012 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Environmental Science at Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, New York 14623-5603 Approved: ________________________________ Dr. Lei Lani Stelle Thesis Advisor ________________________________ Dr. Paul Shipman _________________________________ David Hamilton __________________________________ Dr. Karl Korfmacher Environmental Science Program Department of Biological Sciences Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY 14623 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF FIGURES..........................................................................................................................3 TABLE OF TABLES.............................................................................................................................3 AKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................................................................4 ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................................5 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................6 Working Together to Help Otters...............................................................................................6 The History of Zoos and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.............................................6 Conservation Programs in Modern Zoos...................................................................................8 Education in Modern Zoos.........................................................................................................9 The Seneca Park Zoo...............................................................................................................11 Otter Species Survival Plan (SSP)...........................................................................................11 Otter Exhibit at the Seneca Park Zoo......................................................................................12 North American River Otter Biology and History in Western New York................................13 Work at RIT..............................................................................................................................13 Objective of the Project............................................................................................................14 MATERIALS AND METHODS.........................................................................................................15 Website Design and Layout......................................................................................................15 Content Development................................................................................................................15 Curricula Development.............................................................................................................15 Webcam.... ................................................................................................................................16 Lesson Plan Evaluation............................................................................................................16 AZA Educator Evaluation.........................................................................................................17 Wordpress Information and Statistics .....................................................................................17 RESULTS.............................................................................................................................................18 Website Content ......................................................................................................................18 Lesson Plans ............................................................................................................................20 Wordpress Statistics ................................................................................................................22 AZA Educator Survey Results .................................................................................................25 Otter Spotter Workshop ...........................................................................................................28 Webcam....................................................................................................................................30 DISCUSSION......................................................................................................................................30 Layout and Design...................................................................................................................30 Otter Spotter Usage Trends and Increasing Page Views.........................................................30 Otter Spotter as a Resource for AZA Institutions ....................................................................33 Otter Spotter as an Educational Resource...............................................................................34 Effectiveness of Otter Spotter lesson plans...................................................................... ........35 Making Connections.................................................................................................................38 Challenges and Rewards..........................................................................................................40 CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORK...........................................................................................41 LITERATURE CITED........................................................................................................................44 APPENDIX..........................................................................................................................................46 A...............................................................................................................................................46 B...............................................................................................................................................72 C...............................................................................................................................................97 D...............................................................................................................................................98 2 TABLE OF FIGURES Fig. 1: Screen capture of home page ...................................................................................................18 Fig. 2: Screen capture of Otter Diversity page....................................................................................19 Fig. 3: Screen capture of Otter Research and Conservation page.......................................................19 Fig. 4: Screen capture of the Teacher Resources ...............................................................................19 Fig. 5: Sample Otter and Friends Matching Game .............................................................................20 Fig. 6: Sample Teeth and Tools Matching Game.................................................................................21 Fig. 7: Sample math worksheet ...........................................................................................................22 Fig. 8: Page Views by Month in 2011..................................................................................................23 Fig. 9: Top ten most viewed pages (not including the homepage) ......................................................24 Fig. 10: Top ten search engine terms resulting in a page view............................................................24 Fig. 11: AZA Educator survey results n=36.........................................................................................25 Fig. 12: AZA Educator survey results 2, n=36.....................................................................................26 Fig. 13: Results for what resource on the website was found most useful by AZA Educators. ...........27 TABLE OF TABLES Table 1: The grade level, subject, and NYS learning standard met for each lesson plan provided ...21 Table 2: Write in comments and suggestions from AZA educator survey ...........................................28
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Demography of the Giant Otter (Pteronura Brasiliensis) in Manu National Park, South-Eastern Peru: Implications for Conservation
    Demography of the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) in Manu National Park, South-Eastern Peru: Implications for Conservation Jessica Groenendijk1,3,5*, Frank Hajek2,5, Paul J. Johnson3, David W. Macdonald3, Jorge Calvimontes4,5, Elke Staib5, Christof Schenck5 1 San Diego Zoo Global Peru, Department of Cusco, Cusco, Peru´, 2 Nature Services Peru, Department of Cusco, Cusco, Peru´, 3 Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, 4 Environmental Studies and Research Center, University of Campinas, Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil, 5 Frankfurt Zoological Society, Frankfurt, Germany Abstract The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is an endangered semi-aquatic carnivore of South America. We present findings on the demography of a population inhabiting the floodplain of Manu National Park, south-eastern Peru, arising from 14 annual dry season censuses over a 16 year period. The breeding system of territorial groups, including only a single breeding female with non-reproductive adult ‘helpers’, resulted in a low intrinsic rate of increase (0.03) and a slow recovery from decades of hunting for the pelt trade. This is explained by a combination of factors: (1) physiological traits such as late age at first reproduction and long generation time, (2) a high degree of reproductive skew, (3) small litters produced only once a year, and (4) a 50% mortality between den emergence and age of dispersal, as well as high mortality amongst dispersers (especially males). Female and male giant otters show similar traits with respect to average reproductive life- spans (female 5.4 yrs., male 5.2 yrs.) and average cub productivity (female 6.9, male 6.7 cubs per lifetime); the longest reproductive life spans were 11 and 13 years respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Giant Mustelids Roamed South Africa 5 Million Years Ago - Study
    1 June 2020 Giant mustelids roamed South Africa 5 million years ago - study Over five million years ago wolf-sized otters and leopard-sized relatives of living wolverines (members of the weasel family that look more like badgers than wolves) lived along the West Coast of South Africa. This is according to recent discoveries by scientists at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Iziko Museums of SA. These animals known as mustelids – a family of carnivorans that include weasels, otters and badgers among others – represent the first mustelid specimens described from Langebaanweg in over 40 years. In an article published in the journal PeerJ, Dr Alberto Valenciano and Dr Romala Govender of UCT’s Department of Biological Sciences, describe the teeth, forelimb and hindlimb skeletons of these giant mustelids: the wolf-sized otter (Sivaonyx hendeyi) and the leopard-sized wolverine (Plesiogulo aff. monspesulanus). “Our work has led to important new data about the locomotion and diet of the rather poorly known giant otter (Sivaonyx hendeyi), that is unique to Langebaanweg. In addition, we confirm that Langebaanweg’s wolverine (Plesiogulo aff. Monspesulanus), is a different species to that of the large bodied Plesiogulo botori from Kenya and Ethiopia,” shared Valenciano. The carnivores at the Langebaanweg fossil locality are quite common and they include a minimum of 20 different species of mustelids, bears, seals, jackals, hyenas, saber-tooth cats, giant civets and mongoose. “We report for the first time the presence of both giant mustelids in the main members at Langebaanweg,” Govender added. The team hypothesises that the wolf-sized otter (Sivaonyx hendeyi), that lived five million years ago, had a role similar to that of the living African clawless otter and the Asian small- clawed otter.
    [Show full text]
  • 2004 Federal Register, 69 FR 30715; Centralized Library: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
    Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 104 / Friday, May 28, 2004 / Notices 30715 to conduct certain activities with for the purpose of enhancement of the sport hunted from the Lancaster sound endangered species. This notice is survival of the species. polar bear population in Canada for provided pursuant to Section 10(c) of personal use. PRT–087051 the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as PRT–087099 amended (16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq.). Applicant: Gregory G. Liautaud, Trout Written data, comments, or requests for Valley, IL. Applicant: Terry N. Steinheiser, Butler, copies of these complete applications The applicant requests a permit to PA. should be submitted to the Director import the sport-hunted trophy of one The applicant requests a permit to (address above). male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) PRT–072219 pygargus) culled from a captive herd sport hunted from the Lancaster sound maintained under the management polar bear population in Canada for Applicant: Jacksonville Zoological program of the Republic of South Africa, personal use. Society, Jacksonville, FL. for the purpose of enhancement of the Dated: May 14, 2004. The applicant requests a permit to survival of the species. import five giant otter (Pteronura Michael S. Moore, Marine Mammals brasiliensis) from the government of Senior Permit Biologist, Branch of Permits, Guyana, for the purpose of enhancement The public is invited to comment on Division of Management Authority. of the survival of the species through the following applications for a permit [FR Doc. 04–12119 Filed 5–27–04; 8:45 am] captive propagation and conservation to conduct certain activities with marine BILLING CODE 4310–55–P education.
    [Show full text]
  • Humbio 18SC Overcoming Challenges Faced by the Giant
    Tom Troxel Humbio 18SC Overcoming Challenges Faced by the Giant River Otter of Amazonia Abstract The giant river otter, endemic to South America, is the largest species of otter in the world. The otter was hunted almost to extinction throughout the twentieth century and now is fighting to stay alive in the turbulent ecosystems of Amazonia. Deforestation and water pollution by humans have severely affected the species environment. In addition, local people often hunt and kill the otters for economic reasons or as a result of lack of education. Local people need to be educated and the waterways need to be kept clean if this endangered species is to survive. Since the hunting ban, in areas relatively untouched by human development, giant river otters have been able to mount a comeback and grow back towards the carrying capacity of their ecosystems. Background The giant river otters of the waterways of the Amazon have faced enormous challenges over the course of the last century. Not only has the species been severely overhunted but also their environments have been significantly damaged by human activity. As a result of the tremendous ecological strain on the species the International Union for Conservation of Nature has placed the giant river otter on the endangered list. The organization predicts a fifty percent population drop for the species in the next twenty years (Duplaix 2013). Troxel 2 The Giant River Otter is the largest species of otters in the world. Only found in the waterways of South America these creatures can grow over 6 feet (1.8m) long and weigh 75 pounds (34 kg).
    [Show full text]
  • Mammalian and Avian Diversity of the Rewa Head, Rupununi, Southern Guyana
    Biota Neotrop., vol. 11, no. 3 Mammalian and avian diversity of the Rewa Head, Rupununi, Southern Guyana Robert Stuart Alexander Pickles1,2, Niall Patrick McCann1 & Ashley Peregrine Holland1 1Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY, School of Biosciences,Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales, CF103AX Rupununi River Drifters, Karanambu Ranch, Lethem Post Office, Region 9, Rupununi Guyana 2Corresponding author: Robert Stuart Alexander Pickles, e-mail: [email protected] PICKLES, R.S.A., McCANN, N.P. & HOLLAND, A.L. Mammalian and avian diversity of the Rewa Head, Rupununi, Southern Guyana. Biota Neotrop. 11(3): http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v11n3/en/abstract?in ventory+bn00911032011 Abstract: We report the results of a short expedition to the remote headwaters of the River Rewa, a tributary of the River Essequibo in the Rupununi, Southern Guyana. We used a combination of camera trapping, mist netting and spot count surveys to document the mammalian and avian diversity found in the region. We recorded a total of 33 mammal species including all 8 of Guyana’s monkey species as well as threatened species such as lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) and bush dog (Speothos venaticus). We recorded a minimum population size of 35 giant otters in five packs along the 95 km of river surveyed. In total we observed 193 bird species from 47 families. With the inclusion of Smithsonian Institution data from 2006, the bird species list for the Rewa Head rises to 250 from 54 families. These include 10 Guiana Shield endemics and two species recorded as rare throughout their ranges: the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) and crested eagle (Morphnus guianensis).
    [Show full text]
  • International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management Information and Guidelines (2005)
    International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management Information and Guidelines (2005) (Husbandry and Management of the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), 2nd Edition) Updated December 2004 Compiled and Authored by: Sheila Sykes-Gatz International Giant Otter Studbook Husbandry and Management Information and Guidelines (2005) Husbandry and Management of the Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) 2nd Edition Updated December 2004 Compiled and Authored by: Sheila Sykes-Gatz (Zoo Dortmund, Germany) E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Published by: Zoologischer Garten Dortmund Dr. Frank Brandstätter, Zoo Director Mergelteichstraße 80 44225 Dortmund Germany Phone: 0231 5028581 Fax: 0231 712175 [email protected] Cover Photo: Kerby at Zoo Dortmund.. Photo by Sheila Sykes-Gatz Dear reader, With this, the second and extended edition of the „Husbandry Guidelines” for the Giant Otter, one of the most fascinating species in the world, Sheila Sykes-Gatz is providing us with the most extensive and detailed volume that has ever been written about Giant Otters and their management in captivity. Thus, the information given is essential for anybody interested in Giant Otters. Sheila Sykes-Gatz has not only focussed on the external factors of Giant Otter keeping but has also paid close attention to the “inside” of the animals themselves, trying to examine their basic needs and find out about the factors that are most influential in the lives of Giant Otters. She has accumulated a large amount of biological and ethological knowledge about a species whose future is quite unsure. The Giant Otter is still ranking among the most threatened mammal species in the world.
    [Show full text]
  • AZA Animal Care Manual
    Otter (Lutrinae) CARE MANUAL CREATED BY THE AZA Small Carnivore Taxon Advisory Group IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE AZA Animal Welfare Committee 1 Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual Published by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in association with the AZA Animal Welfare Committee Formal Citation: AZA Small Carnivore TAG 2009. Otter (Lutrinae) Care Manual. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Silver Spring, MD. Original Completion Date: Original version 2002, 4th Revision October 2009 Authors and Significant contributors: Jan Reed Smith (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium), Celeste (Dusty) Lombardi (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium), Kim Lengel (Philadelphia Zoo), Mike Maslanka (Smithsonian National Zoological Park), Barb Henry (Cincinnati Zoo), Gwen Myers, D.V.M. (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium), Contributors: Jessica Foti (North Carolina Zoological Park), Juan Sabalones (Maryland Zoo), Sheila Sykes-Gatz (Dortmund Zoo). AZA Staff Editors: Lacey Byrnes, B.S. Animal Care Manual Intern Candice Dorsey, Ph.D., Director, Animal Conservation Reviewers: AZA Small Carnivore TAG members AZA Animal Health Committee AZA Nutrition Advisory Group Dr. Merav Ben-David, Ph.D. (University of Wyoming) Grace Yoxon (International Otter Survival Fund) Joseph C.E. Barber Ph.D. (AZA, ACM Consultant) Cover Photo Credits: Asian small-clawed otter family: Jennifer Brink; North American river otter group: Doug Kjos; Giant otter and cub; Spotted-necked otter: Jenna Kocourek Jason Theuman Disclaimer: This manual presents a compilation of knowledge provided by recognized animal experts based on the current science, practice, and technology of animal management. The manual assembles basic requirements, best practices, and animal care recommendations to maximize capacity for excellence in animal care and welfare.
    [Show full text]
  • The Return of Giant Otter to the Baniwa Landscape a Multi-Scale
    Biological Conservation 224 (2018) 318–326 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Biological Conservation journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/biocon The return of giant otter to the Baniwa Landscape: A multi-scale approach to T species recovery in the middle Içana River, Northwest Amazonia, Brazil ⁎ N.C. Pimentaa,b,c, , A.L.S. Gonçalvesd, G.H. Sheparde, V.W. Macedof, A.P.A. Barnettd a Programa Rio Negro, Instituto Socioambiental, Av. Higienópolis, 901, São Paulo, São Paulo 01238-001, Brazil b Grupo de Pesquisa de Mamíferos Amazônicos, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Manaus, Amazonas 69080-971, 2223, Brazil c Programa de Capacitação Institucional, Departamento de Antropologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Av. Perimetral, 1901, Belém, Pará, Brazil d Grupo de Pesquisa de Mamíferos Amazônicos, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Av. André Araújo, 2936, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil e Departamento de Antropologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Av. Perimetral, 1901, Belém, Pará, Brazil f Projeto de Monitoramento Ambiental e Climático da Bacia do Rio Negro, Federação das Organizações Indígenas do Rio Negro and Instituto Socioambiental, São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Commercial hunting for the 20th century international fur trade was responsible for the collapse of giant otter Mammals populations throughout Amazonia. Some thirty years after the wildlife trade was outlawed, giant otter popu- Predators lations have begun to show signs of recovery. The Baniwa indigenous people from the Upper Rio Negro region of Remote sensing Brazil have witnessed the recovery of otter populations in areas where they had been wiped out by hunting.
    [Show full text]
  • Amazing Otter Facts
    KIDS CORNER AMAZING OTTER FACTS This document aims to teach you about otters. This presentation has the following structure: Slide 1 - What is an Otter? Slide 2 - Species of Otter Slide 3 - The River Otter Slide 4 - The Giant Otter Slide 5 - The Sea Otter Slide 6 - Threats to the Otter Slide 7 - Threats to the Otter Slide 8 - Australian Curriculum Mapping KIDS CORNER AMAZING OTTER FACTS What is an Otter? Otters have been around for at least five million years. During which time, they have adapted to live both on land and in water. They have webbed feet and the ability to close their nose and ears underwater. Otters are widely considered to be playful animals. Search YouTube and you will find dozens of clips of otters speeding down waterslides. Some suggest that otters are not actually playing, rather they are using water as means of locomotion, however scientists investigated this using remote video cameras and they concluded that the animals slide down water for the sheer enjoyment of it. There are thirteen species of otter. They come in many sizes. KIDS CORNER AMAZING OTTER FACTS The River Otter The North American river otter has adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle. It has thick fur for warmth in the cold water, short legs and webbed feet to swim faster, a streamlined body and a strong tail for faster movement in the water. These otters can stay underwater for about eight minutes while foraging for food. The river otter is also equally at home on land. In fact, they can walk many miles at a time, however these nightly jaunts are an increasingly risky activity due to habitat changes.
    [Show full text]
  • OTTERS a Seaworld Education Department Publication
    OTTERS A SeaWorld Education Department Publication CONTENTS Scientific Classification.....................................................................................................1 Distribution and Habitat..................................................................................................2 Physical Characteristics....................................................................................................5 Senses..................................................................................................................................8 Adaptations for an Aquatic Environment...................................................................11 Behavior ...........................................................................................................................12 Communication...............................................................................................................13 Food and Foraging..........................................................................................................14 Reproduction ...................................................................................................................15 Birth and Care of Young……..……...……………………………………...………....16 Longevity and Mortality ................................................................................................19 Conservation....................................................................................................................21 OTTERS SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION A. Order—Carnivora.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hairy-Nosed Otter in Peninsular Malaysia
    IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 13(1) 1996 NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Unfortunately the release of the 13th issue of the IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin is somewhat later than usual. The delay is a result of the move of the University of Veterinary Medicine to its new place. It was quite a hard job to organize the move and to restart everything. Please note the new address which is given on page 1. The next issue will hopefully be send out around end of December. In this issue there are four reviewed articles and another three are already in the state of review. I would like to thank all reviewers for their fruitful comments on the manuscripts. The new system seems to be accepted much better than I hoped. Articles will be fully reviewed by at least two reviewers. Reports will be published without a review system as we had it the last years. For their help in editing and printing of this issue I would like to mention Barbara Gutleb-Rainer, Hans van den Berg (Wageningen) and Els Hoogsteede-Veens (GRAFISCH SERVICE CENTRUM VAN GILS, Wageningen). Without their efforts the Bulletin could not be published in its present form. The foto on the front cover was provided by Juan Pablo Gallo (Argentina). Fotos for the front cover are welcome and will be send back on request. Name of authors will be mentioned on page 1. - 2 - IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 13(1) 1996 A R T I C L E ASPECTS OF PREYING BEHAVIOUR OF SMOOTH-COATED OTTERS Lutrogale Perspicillata FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA Bas E.
    [Show full text]
  • Brazil SAFARI OVERVIEW
    CHEESEMANS’ ECOLOGY SAFARIS 555 North Santa Cruz Avenue Los Gatos, CA 95030-4336 USA (800) 527-5330 (408) 741-5330 [email protected] cheesemans.com Brazil Pantanal’s Big Five July 17 to August 3, 2021 Jaguar © Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris SAFARI OVERVIEW Explore the vast Pantanal for South America’s Big Five – jaguar, giant anteater, giant otter, ocelot, and South American tapir. Travel via boat, private bus, and safari vehicles through regions where marshes, lakes, and streams provide a diverse ecosystem that fosters superb encounters with these awe-inspiring mammals plus many beautiful birds, like the hyacinth macaw. Journey down the famous Transpantaneira Highway in the northern Pantanal to Porto Jofre where cruises on the Cuiabá River afford numerous opportunities to see jaguars, giant otters, and other wildlife not easily seen by land. While in the southern Pantanal, stay at Caiman Lodge, a top wildlife destination, and also a sure bet for giant anteaters and ocelots. Join biologists in the field to learn about this region’s wildlife research and conservation efforts. Don’t miss this UNESCO world heritage site and biosphere reserve of spectacular beauty! HIGHLIGHTS • Boat down river to spot jaguar cooling off on the banks, keeping an eye out for giant river otters. • Head out at night to search for nocturnal animals such as ocelot, giant anteater, South American tapir, and Yacaré caiman. • View the world’s largest parrot, the hyacinth macaw, and the prehistoric-looking jabiru stork along the Transpantaneira Highway. • Join conservation researchers in the field and learn about conservation issues faced in this region.
    [Show full text]