Age group estimation in free-ranging African elephants based on acoustic cues of low-frequency rumbles.

ABSTRACT: Animal vocal signals are increasingly used to monitor wildlife populations and to obtain estimates of species occurrence and abundance. In the future, acoustic monitoring should function not only to detect animals, but also to extract detailed information about populations by discriminating sexes, age groups, social or kin groups, and potentially individuals. Here we show that it is possible to estimate age groups of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) based on acoustic parameters extracted from rumbles recorded under field conditions in a National Park in South Africa. Statistical models reached up to 70 % correct classification to four age groups (infants, calves, juveniles, adults) and 95 % correct classification when categorising into two groups (infants/calves lumped into on

SUBMITTER: Stoeger AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4373548 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature