Standardisation of Field Data on Mammals

Abstract

Uniformity in recording field data on mammals, though clearly desirable, is not always achieved, with the result that information from different sources may not be truly comparable. The Salisbury symposium provided an opportunity to try to reach agreement on procedure and to eliminate ambiguities. A background memorandum was first circulated among mam-malogists in Africa and overseas. Forty replies were received, and were summarised to serve as a basis for discussion at the meeting. It would in due course be desirable to obtain adoption of the recommendations at international level to form a generally accepted set of standards, not necessarily restricted to African mammals. Meantime, they are put forward as interim suggestions of the symposium. Where no firm conclusion was reached the recommendation stands as my own, this being made clear in each case.