BOZEMAN – Two Montana state University researchers are principal editors on a new book that will help biologists find noninvasive ways to study carnivores in the wild.
"Noninvasive Survey Methods for Carnivores" (Island Press, 2008) was released June 27 with Robert Long and Paula MacKay as principal editors. Long and MacKay are researchers at MSU's Western Transportation Institute.
Working with two co-editors from other institutions, Long and MacKay solicited writings from 25 wildlife experts on the noninvasive survey methods currently available to wildlife researchers. The study of carnivores in the wild is challenging because they are few, far between and naturally elusive.
Some of the survey methods discussed in the book include remote cameras, hair sampling devices and trained dogs that detect wildlife feces.
Long holds a doctorate in natural resources from the University of Vermont. MacKay holds bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Vermont and is a conservationist author and wildlife researcher.
Both conduct road ecology research at the Ellensburg, Wash., satellite-office of MSU's Western Transportation Institute. The institute conducts research on subjects ranging from winter road maintenance to transportation economics and has studies ongoing in more than 30 states.