Biology students Thomas Diesch and Ashley Currie spent a summer co-op term as research associates studying raccoons in the Gulf Islands. There was no cubicle work for them. On a typical day they'd boat to an island, trap raccoons, document songbirds, and pluck crabs out of the ocean.

It was all in a day’s work for the two biology students who spent the summer as research associates with UVic adjunct professor Dr. Michael Clinchy. Under the supervision of Dr. Clinchy and grad student David Hope, Thomas and Ashley worked researching raccoons in the Gulf Islands, collecting data on their location and numbers and the impact they have on songbirds and inter-tidal species. 

Funded by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) grant, Dr. Clinchy has just begun work on this topic. Thomas and Ashley collected data from islands in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, and the research will eventually be used by Parks Canada to develop a conservation strategy that lessens the impact raccoons have on other species. The co-op students helped try to determine which of the Gulf Islands have raccoons. “It’s always curious that often times, you don’t know what’s in your backyard,” says Dr. Clinchy.

Thomas and Ashley spent a typical workday looking for signs of raccoons in a number of different ways. They'd hop in their little red boat and jet through the islands, settling on the one that would be their workplace for that day.

Because crabs are a favourite food of raccoons, they'd begin with a “crab walk,” skirting the rocky shore looking for crabs along the shoreline and measuring the ones they found. The students learned a very useful new skill: how to pick up a crab without getting pinched. “I think the best part of this job is being able to say, ‘I caught a crab with my bare hands,’” laughs Ashley.  Thomas and Ashley also scoured the shoreline for crab shells, called carapaces, that appeared to have been cracked open by hungry raccoons. If they’re fresh, it can get a little messy. “We’re like CSI: Carapace Scene Investigators when we find a kill site,” jokes Thomas. 

The students also gathered data on the impact of raccoons on songbird populations. They listened for and documented the songs of birds that nest close to the ground, where they are easy prey for raccoons. The information Thomas and Ashley recorded is preliminary data that may inform future decisions in the research project. 

Thomas and Ashley worked unusual hours to suit their unusual office. Sometimes, the research team would set out for a work night instead of a work day in order to actually see their research subjects. They'd shine a spotlight along the shores of the islands, counting the number of raccoons (or raccoon eyes) they saw. Throughout the summer, the students also helped trap and tag raccoons. The job also involved some camping: Thomas, Ashley, and supervisor David spent up to a week on an island in order to conduct research.

There were 35 Gulf Islands on their list to tackle. It was a lot of work, but Thomas and Ashley were happy to spend their co-op term so close to nature. Both students appreciated the opportunity for hands-on fieldwork that co-op has provided. “We’re spending four months hiking and camping,” says Thomas. “Actually being out here and seeing what it’s like is awesome.”

Learn more about experiential learning in the Faculty of Science.