Research Activity ReportSupported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”2018. 05. 14Affiliation/PositionWildlife Research Center (D1)NameKristin Havercamp1.   Country/location of visitKōjima Islet and Cape Toi, Kushima, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan2.   Research projectPWS Field Science Course to observe wild Japanese macaques3.   Date (departing from/returning to Japan)2018. 05. 05 – 2018. 05. 12 (8 days)4.   Main host researcher and affiliationCourse led by Sugiura-sensei and Suzumura-san of WRC, Kyoto University (my supervisor is Hirata-sensei)5.   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.

Having read and heard so much about the origins of Japanese primatology, I was excited to visit the famous KoshimaIsland where Kinji Imanishi began observing Japanese macaques. Seventy years after Imanishi’s first study here in1948, we were fortunate enough to be able to visit the later generations of the same macaque population that he studied.
The following are details of our experiences there.
Day 1 (5/5)
Some of us departed Kyoto for Kobe Port to take the overnight ferry to Miyazaki.
Day 2 (5/6)
We arrived to Miyazaki Port in the morning, travelled to the airport where we met Sugiura-sensei and other courseparticipants, and drove together to the Koshima field station. Unexpectedly, we were able to walk to Koshima isletduring the low tide to observe the Japanese macaques for the first time. Suzumura-san distributed wheat grains on thebeach and we were able to observe how (the high ranking) individuals wash them before eating.
Day 3 (5/7)
Due to poor weather conditions, we were not able to travel to Koshima islet. We instead visited Cape Toi, located in thesouth of Miyazaki Prefecture at the tip of Shibushi Bay (around a 40m drive from the station), where over 100 feralhorses live and freely roam. It was a very windy and damp day, but we still managed to observe multiple differentgroups spread around the cape. I found it interesting to see individuals of different groups interact, especially stallionsfrom different social groups. We also visited Misaki Shrine which is nestled high up on a forested cliff; it was a reallyimpressive place. On the way back to the station, we purchased food for cooking and bathed at an onsen (温泉)!
Day 4 (5/8)
The weather worsened, so we mainly stayed at the station. Some people travelled to Cape Toi again to go to the visitorcenter, but it was again closed. Some people went shopping for food and we cooked together.
Day 5 (5/9)
The weather got better, but the waves were still too strong to travel to the islet. Suzumura-san showed us two differentdrones and we all practiced flying them; it was my first time flying a drone. In the afternoon we went fishing at thedock, then cooked dinner and prepared for camping the next day.
Day 6 (5/10)
We left the station earlier than expected for Koshima Islet, in order to avoid the large waves which could prevent usfrom reaching the islet with all our gear. We could hear the macaques calling before we even reached the boat; it wassaid they probably recognized that Suzumura-san and others were coming with food. It turns out the waves were bigenough that the boat could only drop us off at a point nearest to the dock (~1 minute ride) and so we had to makemultiple trips to reach the beach with our gear, even swimming with the gear part of the way.
Submit to：report@wildlife-science.org2014.05.27 version  Research Activity ReportSupported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”Since Nakano-san was conducting an experiment where wheat was distributed in a controlled, circular space instead ofbeing spread around a large portion of the beach, I decided to supplement his study by collecting data on directedaggression to better understand the social tolerance of this community of macaques. After the completion of theexperiment, Suzumura-san distributed wheat in the “standard” way and I again collected data. We then set up camp,hiked to the highest point of the islet, prepared a delicious dinner and enjoyed 梅酒 and 焼酎.
Day 7 (5/11)
We ate breakfast, cleaned up camp, again observed and collected data following Nakano-san’s experiment, and then wewere lucky enough to be able to distribute sweet potatoes (the last time they received potatoes was October last year)and observe this communities’ unique cultural behavior of sweet potato washing! I spent most of the time taking photosof the individuals engaged in washing behaviors. Around 2pm we left the islet and returned to the station, cleaned upand prepared a BBQ.
Day 8 (5/12)
The last day was mainly spent cleaning up and travelling to the airport. We also discussed the data we collected andreceived advice on how to write our scientific report.
During this field course, I gained experience observing Japanese macaque behavior for the first time and organizing andsetting up camp. Five first-year master students in WRC were also there (as well as Pandora and Monamie-san the firstfew days) and I appreciated the time we were able to spend getting to know each other better.

Walking to Koshima Islet.

The way to Koshima Islet.

Submit to：report@wildlife-science.orgFlying two different models of drone.

Fishing on the dock, with a view of Koshima Islet.

2014.05.27 version  Research Activity ReportSupported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”Mother and infant Japanese macaques collecting and eating wheat grains. / A juvenile macaque.

Macaque grooming session.

Young macaque eating sweet potato, leaving the skin.

Sweet potato washing.

Submit to：report@wildlife-science.org2014.05.27 version  Research Activity ReportSupported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”Enjoying the washed potato.

6.   OthersI am thankful to PWS for providing me with the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Japanese primatology, and toSugiura-sensei, Suzumura-san, and other students for their support throughout the week.

Submit to：report@wildlife-science.org2014.05.27 version