Research Activity Report
Supported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”
2014. 06, 17
Affiliation/Position Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute/Njiro Wildlife Research Centre
Chediel Kazael MRISHAName(NWRC)
1. Country/locationof visit
Japan, Yakushima Island National Park-Kagoshima Prefecture
2. Research project
Study on Japanese Deer (Cervus Nippon yakushimae) understanding their feeding behavior
ecology
3. Date (departing from/returning to Japan)
2014. 05. 19 – 2014. 05. 24 (6 days)
4. Main host researcher and affiliation
ISSO Field Station, Yakushima Island, Wildlife Research Centre, Kyoto University5. Progress and results of your research/activity
The Field Training Course took Place at Yakushima Island National Park, Japan from 19 th May,
2014 to 24th May, 2014. The course was divided into four different groups namely Monkey Course,
Deer Course, Plant Course and Insect Course. I was in Deer Course and we had the following
objectives; to observe the feeding behavior and ecology of Deer in Yakushima Island, to estimate
deer diets and other small mammals found in different altitudes within the island hence using
metagenome analysis. In fulfilling the above objectives three methods were employed namely,
direct observation, collecting the whole fecal sample and fresh feces which stored in RNA later for
metagenome analysis using Next Generation Sequencer (NGS). This was not only done for Deer atYakushima but also for other small mammals which found at Yakushima Island. Not only thesamples were taken by the group but also the GPS coordinates were also taken so as to assist themapping of our sampled areas as well as the distribution of Deer in Yakushima Island. The direct
observation and feeding behavior and ecology method was used only in Deer and not other small
mammals due to the fact other small mammals were hard to see. In each evening after the fieldwork during the day the Deer Course member sorted the fecal samples for dry sample analysis.
Using the microscope, many plant parts, especially seeds, insects and other food particles wereidentified from the dried fecal samples. In our third day at Yakushima we (Deer Course) managed toattend the Bats survey technique which was demonstrated to us by Dr. David Hill. It was a newtechnique to me and it has assisted to improve my professional career as well as building myresearch experience.
This field course will improve my career on collection of samples which requires metagenome
analysis using Next Generation Sequencer (NGS). Meanwhile I am developing a proposal titled“Assessment of genetic variation, forage quality and suitable habitat of Black Rhinoceros(Diceros bicornis) in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), Tanzania”, for my graduate
studies. If this proposal will be accepted I am expecting to use the similar knowledge and skills
acquired during this Field Course at Yakushima Island National Park.

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

Research Activity Report
Supported by “Leading Graduate Program in Primatology and Wildlife Science”

Photo 1: Yakushima Island National Park

Photo 2: Deer in Yakushima Island National Park

6. Acknowledgement
I would like extend my sincere gratitude to the Wildlife Research Centre (WRC) of Kyoto
University for organizing this Field Training Course. The Professors and Doctors at WRC as well as
at Science building at Kyoto University, I would like to thank you for your great cooperation which
you have shown to us during field work as well for laboratory work, you have imparted something
towards my career.
Finally, my heartfelt thanks to all the Genome Training Course participants, 2014 for making mylife easy during my studies as well as walking through Kyoto city. Thank you all and well come to
Tanzania.

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