scholarly journals Social Interactions, Movements and Activity of River Otters in Grand Teton National Park

1985 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 69-70
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
National Park ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Riparian Habitat ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Behavioral Reactions ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Is Evaluation

There are several goals of the river otter project. One is assessing year-to-year variations in population densities, primarily in the Jackson Lake Dam to Deadman's Bar section of the Snake River. Another is evaluation of habitat preferences on this section. A third objective is documenting behavioral reactions among otters and between otters and other species living in the riparian habitat. Finally, I wish to obtain a picture of the summer activity-cycle on a 24-hour basis.

scholarly journals Ecological Study of River Otters in Grand Teton National Park

1984 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 39-41
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
National Park ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
National Park Service ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Snake River ◽  
River Otters ◽  
The Future ◽  
Park Service

The objectives of this study are to obtain information about habitat preferences, movements, activity patterns, social interactions, distribution and density of otters within the park, primarily on the Snake River between the Jackson Lake Dam and Moose. This type of information is valuable as a basis of comparison with what is known about otters elsewhere and also could guide the National Park Service in altering policies or managing habitats to the benefit of otters, should this be desired in the future.

scholarly journals Ecology of River Otters in Grand Teton National Park

1986 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 92-94
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Activity Cycle ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Additional Information

Obtaining additional information on populations, movements, activity patterns and habitat preferences are the main goals of this study. Special efforts were made to try to round out an understanding of the nocturnal phase of an otter's 24-hour activity cycle.

scholarly journals Summer Habitat Preferences and Activity Patterns of River Otters In Grand Teton National Park

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 63-71
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
National Park ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Lontra Canadensis ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
River Otters ◽  
The North ◽  
History Of

I studied the natural history of river otters. (Lontra canadensis) during the summers of 1982-1986 and 1995-1997 in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Habitat preferences were analyzed by tallying sightings on 5 types of habitat along 16 km of the Snake River. Otters were seen on all 5 habitat types and exhibited a strong preference for the logjam/beaver lodge category. Beavers and otters sometimes occupied a lodge simultaneously. I recorded daytime activity directly in 1982 and noted a large peak in mid-morning and a small one in late afternoon. To obtain information indirectly on round-the-clock activity I employed 6 modified camera monitors activated by treadle-switches at frequently used sites. Pooled records for 3 summers showed almost two and a half times higher activity by day than by night, a finding opposite of what was expected. The hypothesis I suggest is that diurnal activity exceeds nocturnal activity because of the habituation of otters to humans over a half century's tradition of frequent exposure and non-harassment in the national park. In the summers of 1982-1986 and 1995-1997 I made a study of the natural history of river otters (Lontra canadensis), in Grand Teton National Park under auspices of the University of Wyoming - National Park Service Research Center. Occasional observations were made along the Snake River from Flagg Ranch near the north boundary of the park to the north end of Jackson Lake and from Pacific Creek to Deadman's Bar. However, the 3 km stretch of river from just below Jackson Lake Dam to the Oxbow was the site of most intensive study. (See Fig. 1)

scholarly journals Ecological Study of River Otters in Grand Teton National Park

1982 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 46-51
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
Distribution Density ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
River Otters ◽  
And Behavior

The primary goals of the study are to obtain information on the distribution, density, movements, activity patterns and behavior of otters on the Snake River from Jackson Lake Dam to Moose. Most observations were concentrated along the 3.5 mile section from the dam to and including the Oxbow. This report covers field work during the periods of March 7-17 and August 11 - September 25. No otters were seen in March but they were observed for 28 hours during 88 hours afield in August and September. Additionally, Mr. John Turner of Triang1e-X Float Trips and Mr. Dick Barker of Barker-Ewing Float Trips were most cooperative in obtaining sightings of otters made on the river by their parties between Deadman Bar #2 and Moose.

scholarly journals Behavior of River Otters in the Oxbow Bend Vicinity, Grand Teton National Park

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 50-51
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Feeding Sites ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Resting Sites ◽  
Daytime Activity

The 1996 project was a continuation of the study begun in 1995 - to obtain information on movements, sociability, and activity patterns of river otters in the Oxbow region of the Snake River within Grand Teton National Park. Particular emphasis was on nocturnal patterns as documented by automatic cameras activated by buried treadle­switches in places otters were known to frequent, such as latrines, resting sites and feeding sites. Daytime activity was monitored both by the cameras and by routine canoe patrols. Field work was carried out July 5- August 5.

scholarly journals Assessing the Potential of the River Otter to Promote Aquatic Conservation in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: A Unique Approach for Developing a Long-Term Aquatic Flagship

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 108-113
Author(s):  
Kelly Pearce ◽  
Tom Serfass
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Lontra Canadensis ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem ◽  
River Otter ◽  
The Public ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Trout Lake ◽  
Greater Yellowstone

Charismatic “flagship” species are used in many parts of the world to raise public awareness or financial support for conservation, both among local people living in the area and among potential donors living far away. Flagship species can serve as symbols to stimulate conservation awareness and action and have been particularly valuable because of their potential to change citizen behavior, including involvement in conservation and support of fundraising. For a flagship to be successful, however, the target audience and conservation objectives must be established and understood before implementing the concept. Researchers have suggested that a successful flagship should possess traits that endear it to the public, should not be feared or disliked, nor have been used to convey conflicting messages of conservation. Therefore, critical to the flagship approach is understanding attitudes, species preferences, level of wildlife knowledge of people living near and living far away for which support is sought. To determine if the river otter (Lontra canadensis) could be a successful flagship for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), we conducted social science surveys with visitors to Grand Teton National Park who participated in guided-raft trips on the Snake River (n = 768), visitors of Oxbow Bend (n = 254), a popular turn-out for viewing aquatic wildlife, and visitors to Trout Lake in Yellowstone National Park (n = 298). Preliminary results showed that familiarity with the river otters is area dependent (e.g., Trout Lake visitors were more familiar with the species than those visiting Oxbow Bend or rafting the Snake River), river otters are not controversial, but education is needed to better inform the public about river otters’ occurrence and ecosystem function in GYE.

scholarly journals Ecological Study of River Otters in Grand Teton National Park

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 51-52
Author(s):  
Joseph Hall
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
National Park Service ◽  
Distribution Density ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Snake River ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Park Service ◽  
And Behavior

Accumulation of data on the distribution, density, movements, activity patterns, and behavior of river otters, primarily on the Snake River, is the goal of this study. Such information has intrinsic value and also should be useful to the National Park Service in enhancing the welfare of this interesting member of the park's fauna.

scholarly journals Changes in number and distribution of hippoptamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) in the Sabie River, Kruger National Park, during the 1992 drought

Koedoe ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.C. Viljoen
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Drought Period ◽  
Aerial Surveys ◽  
Hippopotamus Amphibius ◽  
Reduced Flow

The 1991/92 drought in Southern Africa and the effect of the resultant reduced flow of the Sabie River on hippopotami was investigated. Hippopotami are counted annually in the Kruger National Park's (KNP) major rivers as part of the park's monitoring pro- gramme. Two additional aerial surveys were conducted to document changes in hippopotamus population densities in the Sabie River during the drought period. The hippopotamus population decreased during the drought by 12.6 to 672 animals between July 1991 and October 1992. The highest and lowest hippopotamus densities recorded were 11.6 and 2.2 animals/km river length respectively in different river sections. Only 12 hippopotamus mortalities were recorded at the end of the 1992 dry season (October).

Riparian habitat disturbed by reservoir management does not function as an ecological trap for the Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 320-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.P. Quinlan ◽  
D.J. Green
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Ecological Trap ◽  
Riparian Habitat ◽  
Yellow Warbler ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Selection Decisions ◽  
Yellow Warblers ◽  
Setophaga Petechia

Ecological traps arise when anthropogenic change creates habitat that appears suitable but when selected reduces the fitness of an individual. We evaluated whether riparian habitat within the drawdown zone of the Arrow Lakes Reservoir, British Columbia, creates an ecological trap for Yellow Warblers ( Setophaga petechia (L., 1766)) by investigating habitat preferences and the fitness consequences of habitat selection decisions. Preferences were inferred by examining how habitat variables influenced settlement order, and comparing habitat at nest sites and random locations. Males preferred to settle in territories with more riparian shrub and tree cover, higher shrub diversity, and less high canopy cover. Females built nests in taller shrubs surrounded by a greater density of shrub stems. Habitat preferences were positively associated with fitness: nest sites in taller shrubs surrounded by higher shrub-stem densities were more likely to avoid predation and fledge young, whereas territories with more riparian cover, higher shrub diversity, and less high canopy cover had higher annual productivity. We therefore found no evidence that riparian habitat affected by reservoir operations functions as an ecological trap. Current habitat selection decisions may be associated with fitness because Yellow Warblers are adapted to breeding in a heterogeneous environment subject to periodic flooding.

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