Bull Neck Swamp Bobcat Research
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Aimeé Rockhill (Advisor Dr. Christopher S. DePerno) is conducting a project on Bull Neck Swamp to determine homerange, movement patterns, and dispersal of bobcat (Lynx rufus) using satellite collars. Preliminary field data is being conducted in the summer of 2007 to determine ideal trapping locations and derive abundance estimates for bobcat.
Survey techniques being implemented include spotlight, scent station and camera monitoring, predator calling, hair sampling and fecal line transects. June results for tracks located at scent stations are shown in Figure 1 and include black bear (Ursus americanus), bobcat (Lynx rufus), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), American beaver (Castor canadensis), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), common raccoon (Procyon lotor), and virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana).
Analysis of tracks through SAS software developed by Wildtrack may help determine individuals of a species to derive population estimates. Results of camera monitoring from June are shown in Figure 2. Surveys are conducted monthly from June through September.
For more information on this project, please contact Aimee Rockhill at aimee_rockhill@ncsu.edu.
