Start Date
5-2020 12:00 AM
Description
The Great Salt Lake (GSL) is one of the largest migratory stops for many species of birds in North America. At Rozel Point, along the banks of the Great Salt Lake, there are tar seeps where some species of birds have gotten entrapped and died. These petroleum seeps are both naturally occurring and human created. The temperature that the seeps become sticky, the possibility of prey animals drawing predators in, and the appearance of the tar seeps are all important aspects of why birds are drawn to these seeps. Using motion sensor cameras and temperature monitoring devices, the animals that are visiting the tar seeps and the temperature variation of the seeps were monitored. Our data from summer 2018 and 2019 suggest that the most common species entrapped at Rozel Point are American White Pelicans. The purpose of this study is to monitor activity at the tar seeps and to keep track of the mortalities that occur there, observing the preservations of the animals in real time.
Included in
What in Tarnation? Monitoring Animal Entrapments at the Rozel Tar Seeps
The Great Salt Lake (GSL) is one of the largest migratory stops for many species of birds in North America. At Rozel Point, along the banks of the Great Salt Lake, there are tar seeps where some species of birds have gotten entrapped and died. These petroleum seeps are both naturally occurring and human created. The temperature that the seeps become sticky, the possibility of prey animals drawing predators in, and the appearance of the tar seeps are all important aspects of why birds are drawn to these seeps. Using motion sensor cameras and temperature monitoring devices, the animals that are visiting the tar seeps and the temperature variation of the seeps were monitored. Our data from summer 2018 and 2019 suggest that the most common species entrapped at Rozel Point are American White Pelicans. The purpose of this study is to monitor activity at the tar seeps and to keep track of the mortalities that occur there, observing the preservations of the animals in real time.
Comments
Due to COVID-19, the Symposium was not able to be held this year. However, papers and posters were still submitted.