3

Today, I learned how to record the animals using Focal sheets. I also began to identify the second and bigger troop which contains 7 apes, not 5 (like the other one I've seen on my past visits).
Here are some of my notes on Memba's troop:

Jessica- round head, round body, big boobs, cross eyed, mole on upper lip, side burns

Mandazzi- son of Jessica, slightly smaller than females, older brother

Eukuba- son of Jessica, round head, round face, (today>) bed head

Ndjole- pointy head, slim body, wrinkly face, sister of Ndgia

Bo- oval shaped head, serious expression

Alvila- grandma of the troop, grey body, skinny arms, thing legs, grumpy, birth control patch

Memba- silverback (alpha male), smaller than Paul (other silverback), pointy head

Greg, my mentor, said that today he had a meeting so he would go through some Focal sheets with me, then let me do the rest.
I got the hang of it pretty quickly. It's hard to record them if they are babies because they are so fast , and in the sheets you only have 15 seconds to write everything down. But after awhile, it got easier. The only problem was that the grandma of the troop, Alvila, hid from my point of view the entire time I was recording.

I decided since I couldn't see her I would go eat lunch, and walk around the zoo, taking a few photos. Here are some I took:

Project Ideas

1. What skills would you like to develop at your site?

Some skills I really would like to develop are scientific data comprehension. I know I already have the basic understanding of Focal Sheets and One- Zero Sampling, but I really would like to gain skills that prepare me for the future (since I am thinking about going into work with biology). 

Another skill I would like to develop over time is my photography. I know each day that I have a wonderful opportunity to take shots of the animals, and I think that by doing so I can expand my creativity, angles, and lighting.

2. What interests do you have regarding the work done at your site?

One thing that I am interested in, regarding my work, is the Anthropology of the Gorillas, themselves. It seems that each day I will get to know the troops better, and by doing so I can learn what traits they have and maybe compare them to the stereotypical view of Gorillas (i.e. they throw poop all the time, are not graceful, etc.). 

I also will learn about the audience. Today, I saw many older women, known as "locals," who go to the Zoo everyday. They know each and every Gorilla, but tend to boast and overcompensate their relationship with Frank, the baby Gorilla, or another member of the Troops. In the end, while they tell everyone about why Frank loves them and what they've apparently taught him, they talk about themselves more than the apes. This makes the entire speech pointless. 

3. What needs can you address (needs your mentor has, your company has, etc.) based on your skills and interests?

I know that I can learn quickly, and by doing this, I can learn and identify each ape. I also can begin to analyze their behavior, and since I will be working with Xcel spread sheets, I can use my skills to address his priorities. 

One thing that I plan on doing, at my end of my internship, will be creating a photo album of all the apes. This can go with the spread sheets.