Your logo here! ConservationFIT: Invitation to participate for AZA Jaguar Species Survival Plan Karin Schwartz, PhD, ConservationFIT Scientific Coordinator for Ex-Situ Partners AZA Mid-Year Meeting Jaguar SSP Albuquerque, NM 28.Mar.2017 Your logo here!
Footprint Identification Technique (FIT) One new solution…. A new conservation monitoring tool called: Footprint Identification Technique (FIT) What is Footprint Identification Technique (FIT)? It uses morphometrics from digital images of footprints to identify individual animals of endangered species for population, community, and distribution monitoring Advantages of Conservation FIT: Simple Accurate Noninvasive Cost-effective
AZA Cheetah SSP AZA Jaguar SSP AZA Snow Leopard SSP
Digital image of footprint Left hind footprint Algorithm development, testing and practical application for Individual ID Sex ID Age Class Littermate ID Species ID Generating >100 angles, distances & areas Geometric profile in JMP
Benefits for AZA Facilities AZA institutions commitment to in situ conservation Submission of footprint images of the endangered species in their care will make a direct contribution to non-invasive carnivore monitoring processes that will impact conservation planning and action. Media Zoos’ involvement in the FIT project will offer huge media potential to Attract visitors and funders from collection of footprints: analytics media to field implementation Strong message that zoo animals will be directly helping conserve their wild counterparts is one of the most powerful that zoos can employ to gain support
There are two main categories of collection protocol: 1 There are two main categories of collection protocol: 1. Collecting from animals maintained in a zoological institution. 2. Collecting from free-ranging animals.
Conservation FIT in 2 Steps Step 1: Collect Baseline Footprints from AZA Facilities > Captive animals provide footprints and metamorphic data: Age, Sex, Weight, Health > Low Cost Equipment: 1 pen, 2 rulers, 1 camera (3MP+), rake, watering can, sand >Footprints are processed by creating algorithms: The Crux of Conservation FIT! AZA facility animals will directly benefit their wild counterparts
Footprints for FIT in 2 Steps Step 2: Connect AZA Facility with In-Situ Conservation Efforts > Validated by field projects and implement > We provide field-training & software WildTrack, Conservation FIT partners, and JMP: we can provide the software for non-profit end-users free of charge >Algorithms used for long-term field monitoring of endangered species!
Launch of conservationfit Launch of conservationfit.org International Day for Biological Diversity Monday, 22.May.2017 Will you join us?