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