Counting the Serengeti migratory wildebeest using two‐stage sampling*

Abstract

Summary A method for sample counting the Serengeti migratory wildebeest using vertical aerial photography to sub‐sample randomly located transects is described. The population estimate achieved was 754 028 animals, with 95% confidence limits of ± 8‐5% of the population estimate. The application of this method to other wildlife populations is considered.

Assessment of distribution patterns for the grey kangaroo within southern Queensland : an application and appraisal of faecal pellet counts and aerial survey for the study of grey kangaroo density and distribution

“…Aerial surveys of animals in deciduous forests are more successful in winter when the trees carry no foliage (e.g. Trippensee, 1948 Bowman, 1955;Banfield et al, 1955;Gilbert and Grieb, 1957;Watson and Scott, 1956;Newsome, 1965a;Pienaar et al, 1966; Buss and Savidge, 1966;Goddard, 1967;Field, 1971 ;Caughley and Goddard, 1972, 1975;Norton-Griffiths, 1973;Smuts, 1974;Sargeant et al, 1975; Eltringham, 1977;Gunson, 1979;. Ease of flying 212 may also be related to season (e.g.…”

“…These may be a series of transects crossing the entire area, quadrats or blocks (Figure 54). Continuous belt transects are the most widely used for both total Bowman, 1955;Gilbert and Grieb, 1957;Darling, 1960;Lamprey, 1964;Watson and Turner, 1965;Lovaas et al, 1966; Buss and Savidge, 1966;Field, 1971; Eltringham, 1977; Edroma, 1981 Frith, 1964; Newsome, 1965;Norton-Griffiths, 1973, 1975bCaughley et al, 1977 Caughley et al, , 1979 Caughley and Grigg, 1981). This latter design approaches quadrat sampling (e.g.…”

“…As such information is often difficult to obtain, especially with highly mobile populations as typifies Africa's migratory ungulates, some researchers have resorted to post-survey stratification of the sample data (e.g. Sinclair, 1972;Norton-Griffiths, 1973, 1975bBlackman, 1979). As Norton-Griffiths (1975a:85) Le Resche and Rausch, 1974), it is unlikely that a pilot can satisfactorily fulfil two roles simultaneously.…”

“…Norton-Griffiths (1975a) and Grigg (1979) suggest that a radar altimeter is the only satisfactory instrument for the control of altitude. The instrument is easily calibrated and periodic readings throughout the survey can be used to calculate average altitude for the survey as a whole (Norton-Griffiths, 1973, 1975a. The major disadvantage is the cost and in probably the majority of cases, aircraft available and suitable for aerial survey will not be fitted with a radar altimeter.…”

“…Aerial photography has also been used as the sole method of gathering census data (e.g. Norton-Griffiths, 1973). …”