An automated device for provoking and capturing wildlife calls

摘要: Some animals exhibit call-and-response behaviors that can be exploited to facilitate detection. Traditionally, acoustic surveys use call-and-respond techniques have required an observer's presence perform the broadcast, record response, or both events. This labor-intensive and may influence animal behavior and, thus, survey results. We developed automated device using commercially available hardware (e.g., laptop computer, speaker, microphone) author-created (JS) software program (“HOOT”) used for any calls. tested this determine 1) deployment longevity, 2) effective sampling area, 3) ability detect known packs of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Idaho, USA. Our was able broadcast twice daily 6–7 days internal computer battery surveyed area 3.3–17.5 km2 relatively open habitat depending on components used. at 2 active rendezvous sites by closely monitored, radiocollared wolf obtained 4 responses across over 3 sampling. confirmed reproduction these detecting pup howls aurally from resulting recordings. calls is freely downloadable. collect reliable data while reducing labor costs traditionally associated with surveys. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.