WHAT IS TRACKING?
African animal tracking is an ancient skill rooted in the survival strategies of early hunter-gatherer societies. These skills, refined over millennia, enabled early humans to thrive in challenging environments.
It is essentially the science and art of observing and interpreting signs left by animals. Modern trackers use these signs to study behaviour, for ecotourism, or in anti-poaching efforts.
The act of tracking involves recognising signs, determining their age and relevance, following the trail, to find the animal.
It combines two contrasting approaches: a systematic method for gathering detailed evidence and a creative, speculative approach to see the bigger picture—how an animal interacts with its environment and how its movements tell a story.
Animal signs include footprints, scat, urine, disturbed vegetation, and more. Weather, terrain, and various environmental factors significantly influence these signs – adding layers of complexity.
Thus, tracking is a sophisticated blend of observation, knowledge, and reasoning. It is often considered humanity’s oldest science.
Trackers interpret animal trails by assembling signs piece by piece, much like solving a puzzle. It involves forming hypotheses, testing them by following the trail, and revising interpretations as new evidence emerges. A method that mirrors the principles of scientific reasoning.
For this to be possible, a deep knowledge of animal behavior is crucial. Consequently, the ability to think like the animal is key to successful tracking.
It is believed that the cognitive demands of tracking significantly contributed to the evolution of human intelligence, particularly in areas related to reasoning and problem-solving.
By understanding the connection between tracking and problem solving, one can appreciate tracking beyond just a practical skill. It is an expression of human creativity.
As you embark on your journey with Tracking Success, you will be stepping into a tradition that stretches back to the very beginnings of human history.
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