wakehamAMR, 5 months ago

My favourite bum photo 😆

I was volunteering in some research projects on semi-captive elephants. One study was investigating stress levels and self directed behaviours. The other was study involving hormone treatment.

We collected poo from the elephants to analyse and obviously we needed to know whose poo was whose!

Cold storage was limited. We often kept it in the freezer next to our own food 💩🌮

#dorsaldon #wildlife #elephants #PooScience #SciComm #SouthAfrica #AnimalBums #AnimalBehaviour

wakehamAMR, 5 months ago

Did you know that every elephant tail is unique? Almost like a human fingerprint.

One of the ways we were able to know whose poo was whose was by looking at their tail (and other features like ears. size, colour, tusks etc).

This kept us at a safe distance and so the elephants would not be bothered by us and act more naturally!

If you did want them closer, the easiest way, like with most animals - offer some yummy snacks!

#dorsaldon #wildlife #elephant #SciComm #SouthAfrica #AnimalBums