Yukon Wildlife Preserve Operating Society



Name of Primary Investigator: Dr. Katarzyna NowakInstitution: Fellow at The Safina Center; subcontracted for this work through the Wildlife Conservation Society Phone: 980-406-7375Email: knowak02@Other Investigators: Name: Professor Joel Berger Institution: Wildlife Conservation Society; Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USAPhone & Email: 208-351-5124; jberger@Brief Summary of Research Request (200-300 words):The goal of our project is to assess the extent to which climatic warming affects shedding in mountain goats. We would like to observe and photograph the Preserve’s 22 goats from May to August 2018 to document the chronology of their hair shedding (timing of shedding and stages of shedding; please see Figure 1) and to detect differences in the timing of shedding between sexes and ages. In addition, we would like to request – to the extent possible – access to the Preserve’s available data on this goat colony and relevant photo archives. With the Preserve’s and photographers’ permissions, we would include photos of the Preserve’s goats in our analysis by submitting these to our project’s citizen science web portal, currently in development on (appended is a screenshot of this portal which will be ready by April 2018). The work at Yukon Wildlife Preserve will provide a strong anchoring basis for our additional work on this topic, which examines the issue of climate change, and our focus is more broadly using photographs from other sites from Montana to the Yukon.Rationale (Scientific Value) & Purpose (~200 words): The project has the following objectives, which span scientific and public engagement goals: Compile up to five decades of goats’ thermal response using past photographs?Test the extent to which molting in goats is altered by climatic change?Observe whether the timing of shedding across goat range is altered, something we’ll achieve by collecting supplementary photographic data of wild goats in Colorado (where goats are introduced), Montana, Alaska and Yukon and also observational data on 22 goats at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve?Engage Canadian and U.S. National Parks, Citizen Scientists and other relevant institutions and individuals including members of First NationsRaise and inspire awareness of global warming in a new way by focusing on phenology (timing) of coat shedding in a well-known mammalProposed Methodology: The project will employ direct observations of goats, photography of goats, and use of archives and citizen photography. Observations will focus on documenting shed phase (Figure 1) in all goats at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve across summer months (May to August). We will also use behavioral sampling, specifically recording all-occurrences of behavioral thermoregulation. The goat behaviors to be recorded will include panting, seeking of shade, seeking of water, and actively rubbing against rocks and bushes to shed hair. I plan to photograph shed phases of the Preserve’s goats and representative photos will be added to this project’s citizen science portal for analysis. In addition, I plan to photograph wild goats in Kluane National Park, Montana and White Mountains and have contacted relevant First Nations offices to request their permission to photograph goats on their territories (please see list of permits and permissions, in progress). Figure 1. Stages of shedding in goats: pre-shedding (A), early shedding (mostly head) (B), advancing shedding (head, neck, part of back), advanced shedding (across the torso) (D), full shedding would be “E”. Photographs sourced from iNaturalist. Proposed Timeline: May to August (3-4 months) 2018 and possibly also 2019 pending permissions, permits, and funding. Expected Results:Improved understanding of the chronology of hair shedding in mountain goatsDocumentation of their thermo-regulating behaviors Engagement of citizen scientists and raising of public awareness about global warming by focusing on the phenology (timing) of hair molt in an alpine mammalDescribe what research needs the project will have of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve (i.e. equipment, staff time/assistance, etc).The following will be required:- Guidelines on distance to maintain when observing and photographing the Preserve’s goats.- Information on goat age, sex, pregnancy status, history and nutrition (from available records).- Access to archival photographs of goats. How will you incorporate YWPOS staff or volunteers into your research project? I will encourage the inclusion and submission of photographs of goats taken by YWPOS staff and volunteers into our citizen science portal and can guide contributors through the submission process.Public education is an integral component of the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. How do you intend to disseminate your results and information about the project? Results will be disseminated through scientific and popular publications, through our project’s web portal, and through public presentations. I would be delighted to deliver a presentation to the public at the Preserve once we have at least preliminary results. Have you received approval from your institution for meeting the requirements of the Canadian Council on Animal Care? (Please attach documentation)If not, please explain. As this project is photography-based and will maintain distance limits to the goats as prescribed by YWPOS staff, such approval has not been institutionally sought.Have you received ethics approval from your institution for this project? (Please attach documentation)As this project is photography-based and will maintain distance limits to the goats as prescribed by YWPOS staff, such approval has not been institutionally sought.Have you obtained a research permit through Yukon Government Scientists and Explorers License? (Please attach)This and other permits are in progress; a list of permit and permissions being sought as part of this project is appended. Also appended is a positive response from Michael Jim, Parks, Trapping and Harvest Manager, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.Attach Investigator CV’s to your application. My short CV is appended with this application. Note: Any research project that is accepted will be subject to a Memorandum of Understanding between the PI Institution and the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. Application Date: January 9, 2017Name & Signature of Applicant(s): Katarzyna NowakJoel Berger ................
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