Male African Elephants were observed to determine variations in their social behavior and grouping patterns. Individuals were found in multi-social systems, including solitary, bachelor and mixed groups. The protection status of a study site was found to be a significant factor in mean male group size, with larger groups found in areas with less protection, potentially indicative of the role of anthropogenic mortality risk in driving group size.
Group size was also positively correlated with the number of age cohorts present. This could be due to a variety of factors including high primary productivity, mortality risk or social learning.
My findings were presented to local Tanzanian officials and park managers. Additionally, after returning from abroad, I presented at the Dickinson College Biology Symposium (downloadable poster below)
Social dynamics of male African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) in the Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem, Tanzania
Skills:
Proposal Writing
Field Observations (behavioral)
Statistical Analysis
Scientific Writing
Public Speaking