This course was developed in support of a long-term carnivore monitoring project established at Khao Yai National Park in Thailand in 2003. The course combines theoretical classroom lectures, practical sessions, and field exercises to introduce participants to carnivore surveys and monitoring.

The 12-day field and classroom course consists of eight major training modules ranging from survey and monitoring techniques to sign identification to field navigation using the Global Positioning System (GPS).

Specific topics include:

• Diversity and ecology of carnivores in the Khao Yai forest complex
• Field identification of carnivores and carnivore signs
• Field techniques to determine and quantify: carnivore presence, spatial distribution, relative abundance, and increases and decreases in the population over time
• Field navigation using compass, map and Global Positioning Systems (GPS)Data entry and management in a personal computer
• Analysis and interpretation of field data

The course includes a four-day field research exercise in which two groups (each made up of trainees and instructors) surveyed remote areas. Participants plan the field exercise including identifying potential survey routes that could be feasibly surveyed given the available time. During the field survey, participants practice skills acquired during the classroom portion of the course such as navigating with a GPS unit, setting camera traps, identifying animal track and sign, and recording data accurately and consistently. Finally, as a capstone activity participants assemble a field survey report.