![\"Tempe](\"https:\/\/elephantswithoutborders.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/Tempe-Adams.jpg\" "\\"Tempe")
<\/a>New EWB team member, Tempe Adams, PhD candidate with the University of New South Wales<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cElephant\u2019s Without Borders have recently introduced me to the art of aerial surveying. Aerial surveys are a highly valuable tool as they allow estimates of abundance of wildlife to be determined in a specific area, and the rate of population change. See why we conduct surveys:\u00a0http:\/\/www.elephantswithoutborders.org\/surveys.php<\/a><\/p>\n With EWB aerial surveys there are observers on either side of the plane who count and photograph all large mammal species, and a few large, rare bird species, that fall within the transect boundaries. Kylie and I were trained up for this observer role. Training began on the ground, looking at previously taken aerial survey photos and noting what the various animals look like from the air. Then we did a \u201c5 second flash\u201d test whereby we had to identify the species and count, or estimate as may be the case with very large herds, the number present in the photo within the three seconds the photos were presented.<\/p>\n Next, we had training runs in the air. Flying fast while constantly scanning the ground, counting and identifying all you see within seconds is incredibly exciting and actually quite an adrenaline rush.\u00a0 We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to be trained as aerial observers – it is a very useful skill to have, as aerial surveys can act as the bread and butter for a conservation biologist.<\/p>\n After our training, we were lucky to participate on EWB\u2019s Chobe District survey.\u00a0 The data obtained will be invaluable for both mine and Kylie\u2019s studies and will act as the back bone of density estimates of elephant and giraffe populations for our specific study areas. The survey\u2019s information will also be added to EWB\u2019s long term datasets of the area and will assist in determining population growth or decline of many of the mammal and bird species within the district.\u201d<\/p>\n Tempe and Gababone, a member of the Kazangula community, discuss elephants that pass her yard<\/p><\/div>\n Tempe Adams has joined the Elephants Without Borders team to investigate human-elephant interaction in northern Botswana for her PhD project. She is a PhD candidate under the supervision of Dr Keith Leggett at the University of New South Wales. The research will focus on why elephants choose to come into human settlements at particular times of the year, specifically during the wet\/crop-producing season, when possibly elephants may have a known fear associated with past human interactions. She is also investigating the triggers which dictate elephant\u2019s movements in a human-dominated landscape and exploring the effectiveness of small scale corridors for elephants and other wildlife within the township of Kasane and Kazangula. The study is designed to help facilitate better land use management plans at a fine-scale, local level and to help secure existing small-scale wildlife corridors.<\/p>\n To learn more about Elephants Without Borders, visit our website\u00a0http:\/\/www.elephantswithoutborders.org\/index.php<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us on Facebook\u00a0https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/elephantswithoutborders<\/a><\/p>\n Donate to help support our work!\u00a0http:\/\/www.elephantswithoutborders.org\/donate.php<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>