Citizen Science
We incorporate local people (citizen scientists) and schools in our programs to engage their interest, knowledge, and ownership of wild cat conservation. Citizen scientists, trained by members of The University of Arizona Wild Cat Research Center, participate in wildlife conservation. Since 2014, over 75 participants have joined our team to gain training and work with experts to learn non-invasive sampling techniques, including camera monitoring, tracking, eDNA sampling, and data analyses.
Citizen Science leads the way with wildlife monitoring
Our highly trained and dedicated citizen scientists have, and continue to, successfully monitor approximately 75-80 camera survey sites in over ten mountain ranges in the southwestern United States. Since the citizen science team began monitoring in April of 2014, they have sorted and analyzed hundreds of thousands of wildlife photos. Their data since the end of the USFWS jaguar and ocelot monitoring contract (June 2015) has included detections of three jaguars, two ocelots, genetically verified jaguar scat and host of threatened species.
A dedicated community
UA Wild Cat Center citizen scientists receive an intensive course consisting of classroom and field-based education in jaguar and ocelot ecology, equipment operation and maintenance, data analysis, safety protocol, and outreach tips for engaging the public.
