Mammal communities | adibarocas

Since 2014, we have been studying the mammal communities of Pole Mountain, a recreation area close to Laramie, Wyoming. In a project that has involved several undergraduate students, we are attempting to assess effects of recreational activities, habitat type and roads on the abundance of mammals of varying sizes, from least chipmunk to moose (as seen in the video above). Our provisional findings from two field seasons suggest a rarity of carnivore species in this area and a relative abundance of ungulates such as mule deer, elk and moose.

Camera traps are an important tool that lately has become prolific in wildlife research. The visual information they provide helps engage the public in animal conservation. In this case, camera traps are part of a long-term project led by prof. Merav Ben-David, investigating the demography, physiology and behavior of least chipmunks in the Laramie Range.