We would like footprints from endangered or elusive species.  But if you have access to a more commonly seen animal, we may also be able to use these.  For example, we have recently been asked by a central American project whether  FIT can identify which feral dogs are eating endangered turtle eggs.  We are also looking into using FIT for classification at the species level between domestic dogs, painted hunting dogs and hyena.

Our species database, FIT base, will enable us to determine the footprint identification technique algorithm for each endangered species which leaves footprints.

The technique will then be ready to use for monitoring these species in their local ecosystems.

There are two main categories of collection protocol

- Collecting from captive animals in a zoo or captive breeding centre

-  Collecting from wild animals.

For either, you will need a digital camera which can capture images in raw format, a GPS, a pen and pencil (or camera with voice-tag or other system to label the images directly )and.....a sharp eye!!  If you live in a place where you can engage a local tracker you will find the process even more interesting!

We have a very specific photography protocol, which describes how photographs should be taken.  This is to standardise the data collection procedure.  It isn't really complicated, but sometimes it takes a few trial runs to get the desired effect.  We're here to help, so if you want to send us sample images, please do so and we'll report back.

Please look at the image collection protocol sections for captive and wild animlas to find out more.  Oh, and send us a picture of youself taking the image....we might post it on our site!