Oral Presentation- Symposium 12th International Mammalogical Congress

Camera traps at American black bear dens: A case study in undergraduate research (#328)

John J Van Niel 1
  1. Department of Environmental Conservation, Finger Lakes Community College, Canandaigua, New York, United States of America

Students in my Black Bear Management class place camera traps at occupied dens of American Black Bears. Data is accumulated so students have the opportunity to analyze current data as well historical data sets. In small groups, students create a novel question to explore. This presentation will focus on how to successfully create and manage undergraduate research projects for students in their first two years of study. Camera traps have many advantages for undergraduate research. They are easy to operate, produce engaging data and important field study questions can be investigated.