TRACKING AND THE INTERPRETATION OF SPOOR - A SCIENTIFICALLY SOUND METHOD IN ECOLOGY

Methods of studying wildlife are often restricted by habitat. Tracking , the reconstruction of activity from the spoor of animals, is an age- old technique that is still frequently used by modern-day hunter/ gath erer communities. Although previously used in behavioural studies, tra cking has not been tested for its scientific merit. In this paper, we provide data towards such a description by first testing the reliabili ty of tracking, and second attempting to measure the techniques of tra cking. In a lest for accuracy, the Ju/'Hoan San team was correct in mo st (98% of 569) spoor reconstructions. Most significant of these were the correct identification of individually known animals and the recon struction of complex behaviour from spoor. Measurements of the spoor o f different species and age/sex groups in some species showed signific ant differences. Variation in different soil conditions, however, affe cted spoor measurements so that subtle differences between individuall y known animals could not be measured. Measurements of the spacing dis tances and placement of feet during different gaits gave statistical a nd schematic values to indicate some of the techniques used by tracker s during the reconstruction of behaviour. Indigenous peoples, such as the Ju/'Hoan, have an in-depth knowledge of nature. Collaboration betw een western science and traditional knowledge could greatly benefit st udies in behaviour and wildlife.