Censuses of wildlife is critical for proper management of wildlife. Between 15th May 2017 and 28th May 2017, I participated in the censuses. Two light aircrafts were used for the exercise. The total number of participants averaged 30, including data loggers, front seat observers, rear seat observers and pilots. This also included drivers who drove people to airstrip and back to hotels not to forget the mechanics.
The exercise starts with an official launch to buy good will from the public and local politicians besides publicizing the exercise. After the launch, preparatory meetings follow where participants are taken through steps expected during the exercise to ensure quality data is produced. Mock exercises are carried out using power point presentation and tests administered to the participants to test their eye sight and sense of judgement. After this, the real census exercise begins the following day. On day one, the media is also acquainted with how the censuses are carried out.
Wildlife census is a bulky exercise and the man power required is enormous. The scientists are aided in the air with voice reorders, cameras and in some cases binoculars to make sure they get everything right and minimize mistakes. The planes follow predetermined tracks that are usually per-logged into the planes GPS system. The are is divided into blocks and this ensures no area is left out at the end of the exercise. The plane will fly for about 3 to four hours. Once done, the data on data loggers, the camera and gps is then uploaded into a computer where the data entry team takes over. They listen to the sound and make records on a sheet of paper before transferring the same into a database on computer. The data is compared to the photos taken to ascertain the true number of species observed.
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