In July, the field training within the frames of the animal species monitoring course was conducted for master’s degree students specializing in Ecology. The training was conducted in the region of Kazbegi and at Kolkheti valley. Students and course supervisors, Professors Natia Kopaliani and Zurab Gurieldze visited research bases of the university in Stepantsminda and Grigoleti.

In the region of Kazbegi, master’s students were taught field work and field data collection techniques; they also observed ibexes and different bird species. Data to determine the number of species, examine wolves’ food ration and hold genetic analysis were also collected.

Trips from the Grigoleti research facility to Adjara and Samegrelo were taken by sea (on a motorboat) and by land. Students observed all three species of dolphins and determined geographical coordinates of places where they encountered the dolphins by a GPS satellite navigator, counted the dolphins and took photos. Rich video and photo evidence which will enable us to identify individual groups and species as the result of subsequent analysis was also collected.

In the regions of Samegrelo and Adjara, there are places where wolves had no longer been found for 50-60 years and which began to be inhabited again in the last five years. As a rule, these places are located in the vicinity of populated areas, which leads to human-predator conflicts. MA students examined those habitats that have been inhabited by wolves in recent years. They also contacted the locals and took a tissue sample from a wolf killed by the locals; the sample was used for genetic testing afterwards.

In Grigoleti, Black Sea fish were examined, measured and water samples taken. Birds were observed in the vicinity of Lake Paliastomi and the River Pichori, one of the distinguished landmarks of the Kolkheti National Park.

The fieldwork was successfully conducted, with interesting data on different mammal species having been collected; the data will be later used for the purposes of monitoring and ecological testing of these species. 

Master’s students and professors of the Faculty of Ecology would like to thank the ISU administration for organizing field practice, as well as for their contribution to the work done in the areas protected by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSneK1quSxM

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