Research Activity Report
Supported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”(Please be sure to submit this report after the trip that supported by PWS.)

2021.11.12
Affiliation/Position

Wildlife Research Center/M1

NameKana Arai

1. Country/location of visit
Koshima, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan
2. Research project
Koshima Field Practice
3. Date (departing from/returning to Japan)
2021/10/31 – 2021/11/7 (8 days)
4. Main host researcher and affiliation
Dr. Sugiura Hideki, Professor at Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University & Mr. Suzumura Takafumi at Koshima Field Station5. Progress and results of your research/activity (You can attach extra pages if needed)
Please insert one or more pictures (to be publicly released). Below each picture, please provide a brief description.

I attended the Koshima field practical course to learn about the fundamental methods in behavioral observations andexperiencing the wild nature through camping experiences. We set our own research theme targeting Japanesemacaques in Koshima island, collected data and gave a presentation on it on the last day.
Overall schedule:
10/31: Traveling from Osaka (Itami) to Miyazaki, Koshima. Brief orientation at Koshima field station
11/1:
Went to Cape Toi to observe feral horses
11/2: Travelled to Koshima Island by boat – set up for camping and started data collection/observation
11/3:
Data collection & observation
11/4:
Final data collection & packing up to leave Koshima Island to go back to the research station
11/5:
Data analysis & presentation
11/6:
Rest Day
11/7:
Cleaning, Outreach Project – Kyodai weeks, travelling back (Miyazaki to Osaka (Itami)
Day 1 (10/31)
The whole day of day 1 was put into travelling to Miyazaki. Once we arrived at Miyazaki, we bought food for the first
5 days of the practical course, which included food supplies for our camping stay at Koshima Island. We had a brieforientation and briefing in the field station at night. The original plan was to camp at Koshima Island for 3 nights 4days, however, the waves was not looking good so we were not able to go to the island the next day.
Day 2 (11/1)
As we could not go to Koshima Island due to the waves, we instead went to Cape Toi to observe feral horses (Fig. 1).
The climb up the hill was very windy but we saw lots of horses so it was worth it.

Fig. 1. Feral horses at Cape Toi
Submit to：report@pws.wrc.kyoto-u.ac.jp

2014.05.27 version

Research Activity Report
Supported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”(Please be sure to submit this report after the trip that supported by PWS.)
Day 3 - 5 (11/ 2 - 4)
We left the field station around 8:30 to catch the boat to enter Koshima Island. We first prepared our camping site bybuilding our tents. By 9:30, Suzumura-san began throwing the wheat in the feeding area so we could start observing
the Japanese macaques living in Koshima. I conducted behavioural observations, looking at the behavioural differencesamong different age groups (Fig. 2). Observation time given to us was from 9:30 – 11:30.
On the first day of camp (Day 3), I observed the eldest individual: Mushi, 21 years old. On the second day (Day 4), I
observed the youngest individual YunaINF, 0 years old and on the final day (Day 5), I observed the middle-age
individual, Gure, 16 years old. For all the individuals I observed each day, I observed and collected data about theirbehaviour for approximately one and a half hour.
Day 3: After the observing the Japanese macaques during the morning we climbed the mountain using a map, compass
and GPS to try to locate the apex of the island. Unfortunately, I sprained my ankle when descending the mountain so I
could not join the hike and shell collecting the next day. On the last day in Koshima Island, we left early to catch theboat back. In addition to observing Japanese Macaques, I had fun experiencing the camping lifestyle. We had to makeour own fire, live with no electricity and cook our food in these conditions for 2 nights and 3 days. It was definitely alife time experience!

Fig. 2 Japanese macaques in Koshima Island
Day 6 (11/5)
We spent the morning on data analysis and prepared for the presentation. Everyone presented their findings on Japanesemacaques during their stay in Koshima Island. It was a good experience in preparation and presentation, given thelimited time and I also enjoyed learning about what the other students decided to observe. In my observations, I foundthat there were not much behavioural differences between the eldest individual and middle-age individual. The
youngest individual on the other hand showed the most behavioural diversity. The behavioural observations I
conducted obviously had many limitations due to the time constraint, but it was a great learning opportunity to observe
behavioural variations. If I had more time, I would want to observe more than one individual within the different age
groups to see a clear difference.
Day 7 (11/6) – Rest Day
Day 7 was mostly spent resting. Some of us enjoyed our time going to hot springs in Miyazaki.
We also prepared for the outreach project the next day for Kyodai Weeks.
Day 8 (11/7)
We helped with Kyodai weeks, which is an outreach project given to those who are interested. Originally, Japanese
Macaques were supposed to be introduced however, due to the high wave’s plans were changed. Instead, they
introduced the feral horses at Cape Toi. We helped with registrations of the visitors who applied for Kyodai weeks,arrangements, and filming videos (Fig. 3). There were a lot of people who participated online but also a lot of people
who came directly to Miyazaki as well.
At the end of day, we cleaned the field station and left for our flight back.
Overall, the course was valuable in practicing field skills and it was very interesting to see such an important site inprimatology. The time spent with other people during this practical course was very valuable as well because it was agreat opportunity to get to know each other. We spent our time, helping one another by cooking delicious food, cleaningup, playing baseball together in the beach sand and etc. Thanks to them I was able to thoroughly enjoy my time inKoshima.
Submit to：report@pws.wrc.kyoto-u.ac.jp

2014.05.27 version

Research Activity Report
Supported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”(Please be sure to submit this report after the trip that supported by PWS.)

Fig. 3. A glimpse of the behind the scene during Kyodai Weeks. A student filming horses from the top.
*Please have your mentor check your report before submitting it to [report@pws.wrc.kyoto-u.ac.jp].

6. Others
I would like to thank PWS for funding this practical course. I would also like to thank Sugiura-san, Suzumurasan and Inoue-san for all their help during the practical course and for making our week-long stay fun andenjoyable.

Submit to：report@pws.wrc.kyoto-u.ac.jp

2014.05.27 version