A Newwildufe Sighting Reporting and Database System for Lassen Volcanic National Park

ABSTRAC/': VlSitors and employees in national parks may observe species ofinterest to wildlife biologists and resource managers. These sightings are useful to researchers and managers only ifthe data can be efficiently acquired, stored and retrieved for analysis.· We identified several problems in the wildlife sightings reporting system at Lassen Volcanic National Park, including a confusing array ofreporting forms; incomplete contact information for the reporter; insuffi­ cient reporting ofthe animal's description, behavior and location; and a cumbersome data entry and retrieval system. We developed a new system to correct these problems. A single reporting form corrects the aforementioned data gaps and includes a park map so the reporter canmark the approximate location ofthe sighting. Resource Managemeot staff use a clear overlay with a numbered 1 mP grid to assign a location code for each sighting. This code and the report information are entered into a Microsoft Access database. Queries can be conducted for individual species and the location codes can beused to create sighting-distribution maps. The new system, in place since July 1999, has proven easier to implemeot and to query and therefore more useful than the previous system. A total of553 sighting reports was receivedin 1999 and 2000, representing 720 animals of39 species. These reports reflect several important biases inherent to wildlife sighting reporting data.