GPS Tracking of Wildlife
How Wildlife is Tagged for GPS Tracking
The designers and manufacturers of GPS tracking devices are creative thinkers. They invent a variety of hardware solutions to adapt to any animal being tracked. Following are some examples:
- Collars: Most animals of medium to large size can easily handle a collar-mounted GPS tracking device. This includes many four-legged mammals such as elephants, lions, wolves and larger rodents.
- Ear, leg or flipper tags: Bison, elk and many varieties of birds have GPS tracking devices attached to an appendage or an ear flap. Dolphins have GPS tracking devices clipped to their flippers.
- Harnesses: When a GPS tracking collar is impractical, such as animals with very thick necks like wild pigs or crocodiles, a harness or “backpack” GPS tracking device might be used. GPS tracking harnesses are also practical for frogs and birds.
- Glue-Ons: When very small GPS tracking devices are needed, they can be glued to the skin, fur or feathers. Examples are GPS tracking devices for birds and crocodiles. The GPS tracking device would be shed during molting.
What GPS Tracking Teaches Us
GPS tracking of wildlife can still be considered relatively new. Initial field testing concentrated on larger animals such as moose, deer and wolves. With the decreases in the size and weight of GPS tracking units; and the spread of knowledge that GPS tracking results in highly accurate data, more and more studies using GPS tracking can certainly be expected.
GPS tracking is used today to monitor all sorts of animal behavior. Following are some examples.
- Following the progress of diseases.
- Mapping migratory patterns of birds and mammals.
- Following the progress of a rehabilitated animal.
- Researching environment’s effects on endangered species.
- Documenting an animal’s breeding habits.
- Recording wildlife’s interaction with humans.
Limitations of GPS Tracking Wildlife
The size and weight of the GPS tracking device is impractical for some research. Certain birds, insects, small mammals and underwater creatures simply do not have the body bulk to wear a GPS tracking device.
Power limitations: GPS tracking devices that use batteries will eventually lose power. Possible solutions include:
- Recapture for recharge or battery replacement.
- Solar-cell powered GPS tracking devices.
- Devices that give out location on demand rather than constant monitoring.
- GPS tracking devices that are integrated with some sort of radio frequency technology (VHF).
Source: Central Michigan Life student newspaper
Pages: 1 2
Tags: Bear, GPS Tracking, Grizzlies, Real Time, wildlife, Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park
No related posts.
