Istituto per la ricerca applicata sul tursiope BDRI - METODOLOGIE D' INDAGINE DEI DELFINI IN NATURA

MONITORING COASTAL BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN POPULATIONS (FRC 1001)

This training course provides an in-depth, hands-on immersion into the field of marine mammal science and more particularly bottlenose dolphin research. This FRC surveys an extensive amount of information, theories and ongoing investigations concerning the different methods available to characterise the status of a coastal bottlenose dolphin population. This course also contains various hands-on boat based and computer exercises.

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The variety of subjects approached on this course offers a broad view of applied dolphins field research whilst providing students with the tools and practical experience needed for a greater understanding of coastal bottlenose dolphin populations and their conservation, as well as deeper insight into behavioural research concepts and methodology.

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Lecture Topics Include: Biology, Anatomy & Physiology of Bottlenose dolphins, Sighting methods (boat-based surveys, line transect surveys, land-based surveys), Mark-recapture methods (photo-identification), Bioacoustic methods, Behavioural sampling and records (states vs events), Conservation of bottlenose dolphins, Stranded cetaceans, BDRI’s Current Research, Statistical analysis, computer orientation (use of GIS, fin-recognition software packages, sounds analysis software, and databases), guidelines for creating scientific posters and presentations.

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Course Outcomes

As a result of successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

Select and use an appropriate research method available to characterise the status of a coastal bottlenose dolphin population.

Design a survey to monitor a coastal bottlenose dolphin population.

Establish and follow line transect boat-based surveys and explain the importance of experimental design.

Use the photo-identification technique, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this method.

Extract manually and automatically dolphin dorsal fin outlines from digital photographs, identify individuals and create a catalogue.

Discriminate the different types of bottlenose dolphin vocalizations by visual and aural analysis of the sonograms.

Obtain detailed views of dolphins’ behavior by focal following (individual and groups).

Assist the rescue of stranded bottlenose dolphins and direct a group of volunteers in basic first aid procedures.

Apply appropriate statistical techniques on biological data sets and give an interpretation of the results.

Create a scientific poster and give a scientific oral presentation

Finantial Aid for students!

COURSES DATES (Arrival Monday / Departure Wednesday, lasting 10 days-9 nights)

Course Code	Dates	Financial Aid*
FRC 1001	29th March – 7th April	25%
	7th June – 16th June	10%
	19th July – 28th July	10%
	16th August – 25th August	10%
	27th September – 6th October	25%

* Finantial aid: for students and unemployment people, covers a % of the Tuition & Program fee.

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