Santa Cruz Island Spotted Skunk Monitoring

In 2018, the UCSB-Smithsonian Scholars Program, developed a non-invasive mammal monitoring project on Santa Cruz Island. The island is part of an archipelago also known as the California Channel Islands. Santa Cruz Island, located off the coast of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties in the Pacific Ocean, provides a refuge for numerous endemic species.  The island has historically been inhabited by humans for over 10,000 years. The primary goal of the project is to collect baseline data to estimate the population of endemic island spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis amphiala), a species believed to be in direct competition with the island endemic fox (Urocyon littoralis santacruzae).

The UCSB-Smithsonian Scholars Program works closely to train students in field conservation techniques and provides support to prepare students for internships and post-baccalaureate opportunities. The mammal monitoring project engages students from local colleges and universities, including Santa Barbara City College, Oxnard College, Hancock College, Ventura College, and UC Santa Barbara, and provides active training as they transfer and continue their education trajectory. The project is managed by UC Santa Barbara’s Office of Education Partnerships, in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Santa Cruz Natural Reserve, and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI).

Working under the guidance of (TNC) biologists and the University of Santa Barbara, student interns gained training in non-invasive camera trapping techniques.  

Using a variety of parameters that included information regarding the skunk’s life history, habitat and vegetation types, distance to road, proximity to other camera sets, and optimal bearings, students used geographic information systems (GIS), to identify over 15 locations for the deployment of Reconyx cameras.

The camera trap sets used for this project consist of a two-camera system: one extending on a boom that captures the dorsal portion of the skunk, while the second camera is positioned in a traditional manner, to capture the lateral perspective. The goal of the camera configuration will allow researchers to utilize the skunks unique dorsal spot patterns as a fingerprint, which can be used to identify individuals, and extrapolate population density. The project hopes to incorporate machine learning techniques to help with the initial filtering of images.

Project Caveats: Santa Cruz Island’s occupies an area of 61,764.6 acres (249.952 km²). The landscape is steep, dense, and highly challenging to navigate by vehicle and on foot. In addition, the Santa Cruz Island spotted skunk tends to be shy and elusive and prefers areas that are remote, steep, and have dense scrub habitat.

 For more information, please contact: info@oep.ucsb.edu.