DISTANCE Workshop – Elephant Density Estimation. Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Malaysia

The intention to hold a workshop began since early 2022, after discussing the workshop planning with Mike, the Data Analysis Workshop was held for 2 days on 14 and 15 November 2022.

There are 17 participants, 3 postgraduates’ students from UMS, 2 from Sabah Wildlife Department (Kinabatangan Branch), 2 from CERT Telupid, 1 from Göttingen University, another 1 from Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF), 3 from HUTAN KOCP dan 5 from Seratu Aatai.

The workshop was focusing on how to conduct dung-based survey especially on the procedures for line transect. Some dung piles were taken from the wildlife park then brought to the lawn of ITBC then demonstrate how to measure the distance from dung piles to the line transect. Other than that, the workshop also teaches the participant on how to use R to count the dung decay rates and DISTANCE software to estimate the population. The workshop also used a study made in Lao to give a step-by-step instruction on how to analyse the data for dung decay rates and study from Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park was used to give example on how to analyse the population estimation. The instructor also helps in deciding which method that suitable to be used in Lower Kinabatangan.

Thanks to Dr Nurzhafarina Othman for helping to set up the workshop and providing the facilities.

Instructor: Mr Ngumbang Juat

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