The study aimed to investigate the anti-predator vigilance behaviors of herbivorous animals in the Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania, Africa. The researchers used citizen science, where the public participated in scientific research by observing live cameras and photos that showed the daily behaviors of the animals. The study focused on wildebeests, buffalos, gazelles, and impalas, which are known to live in large groups and are preyed upon by large predators like lions.
To investigate the relationship between group size and anti-predator vigilance, I implemented a chi-square test for independence. I observed 100 different images and noted the number of standing and non-standing individuals in groups of one individual, 1-10 individuals, and 10+ individuals. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between group size and the number of standing individuals. However, the frequencies of the number of standing individuals in the observed data did not align with previous findings about anti-predator vigilance.
The study highlights the importance of citizen science in ecological research and provides insights into the anti-predator behaviors of herbivorous animals. The findings also suggest that further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between group size and anti-predator vigilance.
Skills: Excel, Statistics, Research, Experimental Design