Fieldwork on the airstrip on impala vigilance behaviour. Trying to understand how herbivores cope with predation risk and competition for food.

François & Oliv filming impala

Perfect filming conditions (doesn't happen that often...)

François & oliv: impala team in action!!

Sometimes, a hyaena joins the team... just for fun!

I just spent 10days in South Africa to have a bit of work done on my Landy so it'll be more confortable in the bush. Here are the results!!

Front spotlights and sum guard

Side spotlights for hyaenas

New roof rack

Roof rack details: 18mm marine ply wood + 3.2mm aluminium checkered plate

Drawer system and bed in the trunk

Drawer sytem from Frontrunner with 4 Ammo boxes

40L National Luna Fridge/freezer

New shoes

In October 2011, we finally got lucky and I managed to dart my 1st hyaena!! We need to change a GPS collar on Cyclope, from the Makwa clan. We sat at a young ele carcass for quite a while and had to drive around to get close enough to her to dart har. We lost her for 30min as she ran away, but managed to find her back. We thus changed the collar and took some body measerements.

Cyclop was first captured in 2009, and she was blind of her right eye at that time. It seem now that her second eye is goign blind too... I was impressed to find her in such a good condition, meaning she's able to feed well enough. Let's see how she'll fare in 2012...

First field season: done!

Second field season: can't wait to start!!

I will be leaving France on the 28th of Feb, only to be back next winter in December. 9 months n the way are awating for me!!