Tracking as a means of non-invasive wildlife interaction

By: Erik brown

Bobcat image taken from a Point Reyes Field Station camera.

During my time as a GrizzlyCorps Fellow at Point Reyes Field Station, wildlife tracking has been a core focus of my work. Wildlife tracking, in this context, refers to the practice of interpreting the tracks and signs animals leave behind as they move through their environment. These tracks include not only animal footprints, but also impressions from tails, wings, or bodies as animals move through different landscapes. Additionally, signs like fur, feathers, scat, and scratches provide crucial clues about an animal’s behavior and presence.

What makes wildlife tracking particularly captivating is its non-invasive nature. With the right knowledge, you can uncover the movements of species without disturbing them. Some tracks, such as those on a windy, sandy beach, might only be visible for minutes or seconds, while others, like those in a fine clay substrate along a riverbank, can last for months. Each type of substrate offers its own unique challenges and opportunities for observation.

At Point Reyes Field Station, we’re taking advantage of these long-lasting tracks by creating "track traps." These are areas where we spread fine clay, allowing animals to leave clear, lasting prints of their movements. These fine substrates not only preserve tracks but also offer us the opportunity to gather additional signs—fur, feathers, or scat—that provide even deeper insights into animal behavior from around the track traps.

Bobcat tracks.

We’re combining these track traps with the use of wildlife cameras to build a comprehensive picture of the animals inhabiting the area. I regularly set and monitor Browning trail cameras and Cognisys Scout wildlife cameras to capture high-quality wildlife footage. This footage allows us to confirm the species responsible for particular tracks and observe additional details, such as an animal’s gait. The spacing and angle of tracks can reveal subtle information about how an animal moves and video footage provides the confirmation we need to accurately interpret those signs.

The ultimate goal of these track traps is educational: we aim to use this data to teach others about the fascinating world of wildlife tracking. By linking tracks with camera footage, we hope to make the practice accessible to people with no prior experience. Over time, we’ve had the opportunity to share these discoveries with many visitors at the field station. Many of these visitors have been captivated by the intricacies of tracking. With the knowledge and footage we’re accumulating, we hope to eventually host an intensive training at the field station to teach others the basics of wildlife tracking and introduce them to the world of non-invasive wildlife observation.