# data[].attributes.headline
Photo Identification as a Non-Invasive Form of Marking

# data[].attributes.subject
Photo Identification as a Non-Invasive Form of Marking

# data[].attributes.body
Photographs in the world of conservation have proven to be a positive form of animal/species identification time and time again. "It gives the possibility to take photos of large species from a distance or to avoid invasive marking techniques in small animals" (Sannolo et al. 2016).  Large species (like elephants or whales) have the ability to cover large amounts of ground or water quickly, therefore making other identification practices, such as capture-mark-recapture, difficult.  While small animals are easier for the above technique, photography completely eliminates the interaction altogether.  Little to no interaction with the species being studied leaves the animal free of stress, has a reduced impact on its behavior and ultimately brings about the potential for it to be easier to photograph.  Overall, photo identification for conservation purposes is extremely beneficial and has been making progress in identifying species of all kinds.

"What you have caught on film is captured forever, it remembers little things long after you have forgotten everything." -Aaron Siskind

# data[].attributes.body
Marine mammals such as bottlenose dolphins have the entire ocean to migrate and inhabit.  Granted there are conditions upon which they thrive, it is arguable to say the ocean is their oyster (so to speak).

Over a 7 year span, from March of 2007 and January of 2014, a group of scientists recorded sightings of bottlenose dolphins in southwest England in an attempt to monitor population size, recent and historic decline, current status, etc (Brereton et al. 2018).  Throughout this study, approximately 1100 individual bottlenose dolphins were sighted and photo-ID images were taken on 87 dates.  With such a high prevalence of dolphins in this area, re-sighting became a small issue.  According to the study, 113 individuals were sighted and photographed 485 times.  Of these individuals, 26% were re-sighted on one or multiple occasions with 2 individuals being re-sighted on 40+ occasions (Brereton et al. 2018).

Although the article does make mention of new individuals being encountered regularly, I think 26% is a fairly high number for re-sightings. The amount of time this study was conducted over may play a prime role in that but the fact remains the same, re-sightings are somewhat of an issue in photo-ID as time is wasted photographing the same individuals over and over again.

# data[].attributes.body
In the case of identifying elephants in the wild, scientists often use physical characteristics, such as the nicks in their ears, to positively identify the animal in question. However, when there is a highly cluttered background, it creates a trivial problem for the shape comparison of elephant ears (Ardovini et al. 2007). Along with the cluttered background, a high degree of noise comes in to play when attempting to photograph the elephant ears resulting in movement of the ears and inability to catch a suitable photo (Ardovini et al. 2007).

# data[].attributes.body
The Atlantic Humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) has been recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a Near Threatened species.  According to an article in the African Journal of Marine Science, humpback dolphins have a particular vulnerability to human activity because of their coastal nature and distribution geographically (Weir, 2015).  A study was conducted on the sighting, minimum population size, behavior, movement, habitat and distribution of these dolphins in the Rio Nunez Estuary of northern Guinea during the months of October and November of 2013 (Weir, 2015). The study was done in hopes of learning more about the movements, patterns and population numbers of the Atlantic Humpback dolphin.  A total of 8 sightings were recorded during the timetable, 6 on-effort and 2 incidental.  Each of the 8 dolphins spotted had specific markings or traits visible to the naked eye that made them identifiable.  These 8 sightings were the first ever verified at-sea records of this dolphin in the Guinea region, suggesting that a healthier population may be thriving in the Rio Nunez area (Weir, 2015).

The article goes on to discuss the characteristics of the humpback dolphins habitat, general behavior, and reaction to boats and fisheries nearby.  Overall, the information gathered in the study using photo-ID appears to be very beneficial for the conservation efforts of the Atlantic Humpback dolphin.  Conservationists now have information on where these animals might be heavier populated along with an area to focus on potentially creating a nationally conserved area.

Below is a photo of Atlantic Humpback Dolphins
Retrieved from Interesting Facts About Humpback Dolphins

# data[].attributes.body
Wildlife photo-identification is a process in which photographs are compared and used to identify a specific animal based on their physical characteristics.  Although the methods for capturing the animal, taking photos and releasing the animal vary greatly among species, the objective is very much the same.  For example, a group of scientists wanted to identify flapper skates (which are currently classified as a critically endangered marine species) living in a dedicated protected area in western Scotland.  The skates were captured using rod-and-line techniques, brought on deck, measured and photographed then released back into the water (Benjamins et al. 2018).

Below is a photo of a flapper skate displaying the spots used for identification.

Photo retrieved from Scottish National Heritage

# data[].attributes.headline
Example of Positive Photo Identifications in Sea Turtles

# data[].attributes.subject
Example of Positive Photo Identifications in Sea Turtles

# data[].attributes.body
A group of scientists conducted an experiment on the ability of photography to positively identify sea turtles based on the scale patterns of their front right flippers.  They photographed a variety of both adult sea turtles and hatchlings of the green turtle species and olive ridley species.  The scientists used a photo identification system titled 'APHIS' (Automated Photo-Identification Suite) to evaluate the photos accuracy and reliability.  A total of 14 adult turtles were included in the identification analysis (11 green turtles and 3 olive ridley turtles) while 110 hatchlings were included (69 green turtles and 41 olive ridley hatchlings) (Gatto et al. 2018).  Overall, they found that hatchlings were correctly identified 92.9% of the time and adults were correctly identified 81.8% of the time leading them to the conclusion that photo-ID is a reliable form of individual identification (Gatto et al. 2018).

The photos gathered from this study will be usable and beneficial to the future of these sea turtles for years to come making photo-ID a favorable form of identification in efforts of conservation.

# data[].attributes.body
Ardovini, A., Cinque, L., Della Rocca, F. & Sangineto, E. (2007). A Semi-automatic Approach to Photo Identification of Wild Elephants. Pattern Recognition & Image Analysis, 225-232.

Benjamins, S., Dodd, J., Thorburn, J., Milway, V.A., Campbell, R. & Bailey, D.M. (2018). Evaluating the potential of photo-identification as a monitoring tool for flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius). Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 28(6), 1360-1373.

Brereton, T., Jones, D., Leeves, K., Lewis, K., Davies, R. & Russel, T. ( 2018). Population structure, mobility and conservation of common bottlenose dolphin off south-west England from photo-identification studies. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 98(5), 1055-1063.

Coltrane, K. (2012). Background Photo. Taken in Tanzania, Africa

Dodd, J. (2018, November 16). Common or Flapper skate. Scottish National Heritage. Photo. Retrieved from https://www.snhpresscentre.com/resources/common-or-flapper-skate

Gatto, C.R., Rotger, A., Robinson, N.J. & Santidrian Tomillo, P. (2018). A novel method for photo-identification of sea turtles using scale patterns on the front right flippers. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 506, 18-24.

Harding, J. (2015). Interesting Facts About Humpback Dolphins. Retrieved from http://oceanadventures.co.za/interesting-facts-humpback-dolphins-sousa-sp/

PetaPixel (2014, May 29). 70 Inspirational Quotes for Photographers. Retrieved from https://petapixel.com/2014/05/29/70-inspirational-quotes-photographers/

Sannolo, M., Gatti F., Mangiacotti, M., Scali, S. & Sacchi, R. (2016). Photo-identification in amphibian studies: a test of I3S Pattern. Acta Herpetologica, 11(1), 63-68

Weir, C.R. (2015). Photo-identification and habitat use of Atlantic humpback dolphins (Sousa teuszii) around the Rio Nunez Estuary in Guinea, West Africa. African Journal of Marine Science, 37(3), 325-334.