Hello. I am a canid behaviorist studying the New Guinea singing dog (Canis hallstromi). We urgently need to devise a way to record their various unusual non-howling vocalizations in order to describe them and compare to other taxa. Many of their vocalizations are correlated with specific behaviors, such as greeting or solicitation, and are low volume and short duration. The dogs are very environmentally sensitive, and cease on-going behaviors if one points a camera or microphone toward them. All potential subjects are companion pets, and so the environment will be complex but controllable and the recordings made by owners. I thought that perhaps the best way to catch these vocalizations would be to have a remote microphone on their collar, one that can record continuously while the dogs are put into situations that evoke the specific vocalizations. I know nothing about recording equipment, and have joined this list to get advice on technique and equipment. The description of NGSD vocalizations are vitally important for gaining this endangered canid general recognition as a taxa separate from modern dogs, thus facilitating their conservation both in captivity and in the wild.
Our tiny group has very limited funds, so cost is a factor for equipment. So, I would be most grateful for any suggestions. If this is not of general interest to the group, please reply directly. Thank you very much for your attention. Sincerely, Jan Janice Koler-Matznick, MS, CPDT The Dog Advisor Behavior Service The New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society The Primitive and Aboriginal Dog Society IUCN Canid Specialist Group member 5265 Old Stage Road Central Point, OR 97502 USA Phone/fax: 541-664-4023 Cell: 541-621-9290
