A week ago, I arrived back in the States after 30 hours of travel (not including the day of driving from Neuras back to the N/a’an ku sệ headquarters near Windhoek). In my final weekContinue reading
Author: Matt Rogan
Matt is currently pursuing a Master of Environmental Management degree with a concentration in Ecosystem Science and Conservation. Matt focuses his studies on wildlife conservation in sub-Saharan Africa with a particular interest in carnivores. Before coming to the Nicholas School, Matt spent two years living in Tanzania managing a safari lodge in the Selous Game Reserve, the largest protected area and one of the most remote locations in East Africa. Previously, Matt volunteered as a research assistant in the Selous and as a volunteer project manager for a community tourism project in Njombe, Tanzania. His first introduction to African carnivores came during a semester abroad in college for which Matt researched man-eating lions in Babati District, Tanzania.
The Dragons of Neuras
On June 18th, we observed a female leopard at one of the Neuras waterholes. We then observed her again at a few more sites around the estate. We noticed that she was very thin inContinue reading
I Think They’re Catching On
A spiteful leopard is out there. A couple of weeks ago, Matt and Kate set a leopard trap-cage on a neighboring property in order to capture Lightning, a female leopard and a N/a’an ku sệContinue reading
Where Did All The Hyenas Go?
When I began writing this blog, I mentioned that I am particularly interested in the resident large carnivores of Neuras, both leopards and spotted hyenas. Since those early posts, I have not mentioned hyenas once.Continue reading
Leopard Identifications
Above are three photos of leopards. Two photos show the same leopard and one photo shows a different leopard. Can you tell the difference? Not sure? I’ll help you out. Start with the clearest photo,Continue reading
Learning to Count: Part II
The first half of the field study is over: we’ve moved the ten camera traps to new locations on the other side of the Neuras Estate. We had success with the first set of sites,Continue reading
Don’t Forget the Little Guys
One of the study sites, DRY 2, has been relatively quiet. In four weeks, it has recorded fewer than 20 observations, and no large carnivores. Yet this site has produced some pretty cool captures, particularlyContinue reading
Big Cats With Spots
I am deeply peeved when people who ought to know better confuse leopards and cheetahs. If you’re unfamiliar with big cats, that’s different; it’s confusing. They’re both big and they both have spots. What’s the difference?Continue reading
Learning to Count: Part I
Recently, we saw a bulk of cheetah photographs. Cheetahs may not be residents on Neuras, but we know they pass through from time to time using the farm as a corridor in the larger landscape.Continue reading
Playtime at the Fountain
Usually, what I really want is for the animals at the camera traps to pause and stand still. Every so often, however, the cameras catch a bit of behavior. Sometimes it’s a relief toContinue reading