Laserfiche WebLink
populations in these areas, while protecting threatened and endangered plant and animal species found <br />there. There is a dearth of information regarding survival rates, population demographics, and habitat use <br />for sheep and goats in these two areas. <br />B. Objective <br />• Accurately estimate sheep and goat survival rates, population demographics, and habitat use in <br />the Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve and the Puu Anahulu Game Management Area. <br />C. Expected Results and Benefits <br />A capture -mark -recapture analysis will be used to estimate adult survival rates for these two game species <br />in these management areas. By incorporating this information with concurrent sheep and goat abundance <br />estimates bag limits can be more accurately determined to improve the overall hunting experience in these <br />areas. The geographic data collected will also improve home range and habitat use estimates. <br />D. Approach <br />This is a continuation of a research project that began in FYI6. The marked population of sheep will be <br />augmented capturing approximately 30 more individuals and fitting them with radio/GPS collars. Each <br />collared individual will be visually located weekly. Pertinent geographic (i.e., utm coordinates) and <br />demographic (i.e., group size) data will be recorded. When a mortality occurs the carcass of the animal <br />will be promptly located. If possible, cause of death will be determined. A known -fate analysis will be <br />used in Program MARK to estimate survival rates. Locational data will be used in a geographic <br />information system to determine habitat use, animal movements, and home range sizes. Data from the <br />GPS collars will be compared to data collected from visual locations of radio collared animals. <br />E. Location <br />West Hawaii District, Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve and Puu Anahulu Game Management Area. <br />F. Cost <br />5-Yr <br />Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 1 Total <br />$80,000 1 $65,000 1 $30,000 1 $30,000 1 $30,000 1 $235,00 <br />14 <br />