Naturally, like the monkeys, we wake up very early here in the Tambopata National Reserve ( Madre de Dios - Peru), depending on which monkey species we are following, and where the group is. Already the advantages of working at Tambopata Research Center are apparent – breakfast was waiting for us, the coffee was hot, and everyone’s particular requirements were met. Fieldwork depends on this! Satiated, and alert, we head out into the forest for a morning of data collection.
Fieldwork evolves as the project develops – the best training occurs ‘on the job’ and this is a thriving research project. Today, we are recording the calls of spider monkeys and tracking the group’s movements on GPS units. Next week we might be following one of the other species or even flipping the schedule and tracking night monkeys as they call on moonlit evenings.
Spider monkeys by Paul Bertner
We have new trainees with us, so we work closely in small groups. Two in the group are responsible for capturing the primates’ calls, while others are getting ‘mugshots’ of the individual monkeys with long lenses. Once we know who’s who in this new group, and have a library of images, we should be able to use machine learning to identify individuals and track them across a season without marking or collaring them.
Today, the work does not require an all-day follow. We make the most of the most active part of the monkey’s day and can get back to the lodge for a really good late lunch. Every day we see the importance of diet for the monkeys, and as the 9th primate at the field site, we prioritize food too! Having dedicated and talented kitchen staff at the research center frees us up to spend more time on science and keeps us in good health and state of mind! We also follow the monkeys’ example and relax for the hottest part of the day. There isn’t much monkey bioacoustics going on with the monkeys asleep! The Hammocks is a favorite location for people to chill out after a hard morning’s graft, and showers are always available to cool off.
8 Primates recording sounds in Tambopata by Rainforest Expeditions
In the afternoon, we pick up some recordings from remote recording stations near the river and start to catalog and analyze the audio files. Trainees learn how to measure, process, and catalog the calls, and we have a video link with Dr. Mark Bowler to discuss some call variations we have been hearing. The analysis skills trainees learn to set them up for their own research projects are useful for research on all sorts of species groups. During the day we’ve captured some new bird calls that we add to the library. It might be a ‘bycatch’ for the 8 Primates project, but it is a great resource for others in our research community. Finally, an examination of the photographs reveals we have identified a new monkey! The naming process falls to the trainees and becomes ceremonial – few leave without having named a monkey. Each is given a code and added to the ever-growing logbook of individuals.
Once every five days, it will be our project’s turn to give an evening research presentation to the guests at the Tambopata Research Center. Those who’ve been working longest take the lead, but through their intensive hands-on experience, trainees are amazed at how quickly they feel expert enough to explain the research and interact with the guests in a conversational way, or even present parts of the talk. Guests are always lovely and incredibly interested in our project, and many trainees find that the informal atmosphere around these talks allows them to develop their presenting skills in the most relaxed yet enthusiastic environment possible – and they leave with yet another honed life skill.
Post dinner, there is some free time. The bar is always open, or we can head out for a night walk to search for all the other wonderful animals that we miss during the day. We also have a ‘jungle gym’ for anyone needing to maintain higher levels of fitness than daily monkey hikes allow!
Primate training and research work are typically 5 days a week, allowing a couple of days for people to see other projects and wildlife or work on their own ideas and hobbies. There are usually some keen wildlife photographers, artists, or birders in the group, and some are on a mission to see a jaguar at the best place in Peru to spot them – sunset cruises are good for this. Or simply get some downtime emersed in the ambiance of the most biodiverse place on earth!
By Hugo Cliff - 8 Primates Field coordinator
