Science is a way to observe and explain the world around us. It follows a set of so called "protocols". Things like asking questions, designing experiments and/or procedures that can be followed and repeated by others, implementing controls during studies to ensure data collection is valid. These are concepts fundamental to scientigic research. Needless to say we were both excited when we learned we'd be collecting data to compare wild and anthropomorphic (in contact with humans) lemur groups. I mean, we are at the MRCI - Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute.
To prep for our lemur survey we started by learning several behavioural codes. To name a few: T meant traveling, FOR was foraging, TIU stood for “tourist interrupted” where normal behaviour is stopped due to humans. With a laminated code cheat sheet in hand, we trekked into the jungle looking for the local conspiracy of lemurs. How cool a group of lemurs is called a conspiracy, right? About 200 m up the mountain, boom - lemurs! We had found a small group of 5. We quickly paired up to watch a selected male or female.
In science class, when we do an experiment we usually have students identify experimental errors. It's a great way to promote thinking. See how many errors you can find in what we did.
We started our observations, and were to share them with the recorder every minute. (Although no one paid too much attention to the clock.) Each time someone moved, the lemurs stopped and gave a death stare. Each time someone shared an observation with the recorder, another lemur death stare. Needless to say, there was a lot of TIU - tourist interuption happening!
After about a 30 minute survey of wild lemurs, we relocated to the Lemur Park to observe lemurs who have regular contact with humans in an interactive petting zoo like setting. Again we paired up to watch our selected male or female lemur, much like before. It didn't take long for these curious lemurs to come closer, and closer, until they were literally crawling on one of our crew - Mika. Strange, but whatever. Sometimes you need to sit back and just let science happen.
After about a minute, Mika realized that he had snagged a banana from breakfast and zipped it into his pocket. Oops - in the lemur park the saying is “no banana, no friend” as bananas are used to promote interactions with tourists. Mika’s intended midmorning snack caused A LOT of TIA - Tourist Interaction with the “scientists”. Although hilarious, this lemur survey was definitely a bust. As our science students would conclude, banana in pocket was a major source of error and multiple recordings of TIA on our data sheet!
Hopefully our next lemur survey will be more controlled, or at least banana free.