Hi Yvan,

Steph directed me to this awesome resource. These units look so well made! Are you potting in the solar panels? Also, if you are interested, we've been working on a timed drop-off for avian tracking devices similar to this, which I am happy to share details about. 

Anyway, in the spirit of your efforts, we've uploaded some collar housing designs and associated .stl files to our Website here: https://www.wildspy.com.au/resources.php

Shall add more as we design more. 

Great initiative Yvan!

Cheers,

Rob

I'd be happy to chat with you if you wanted! My expertise is within passive acoustic monitoring particularly. The Conservation Tech Directory might be useful for you in identifying relevant actors within the space.

Happy to contribute [email protected] 

My original background is in ecology and conservation, and am now in the elected leadership of the Gathering for Open Science Hardware which convenes researchers developing open source tech for science. I am not working on a specific piece of technology right now, but am happy to contribute some higher-level views for your interview if that helps.

Hi Peter, we manufacture solar powered Iridium trackers for birds, crocs/alligators and collars for various species. Our longest standing unit is a 55g unit on a Vulture and has been going for 4 years, providing data on an hourly basis. Our croc units include a pressure/depth sensor and provide details of depth and time at depth. Most of our devices include a VHF transmitter which is fully configurable over the air (you can change frequency, pulse duration, pulse interval and operation times - good for security).

Hi Caitlin,

Years ago we designed a sort of similar 'trap', although it did not have the ability to actually capture/hold an individual. Our idea was a two capture occasion process: the first where animals in an area were physically captured and outfitted with RFID. Then, for a second capture occasion, we placed our 'traps' in the same area, with each trap having both an RFID logger and a trail camera. That way, we knew whether an individual caught on camera had an RFID tag or not (i.e. by comparing timestamps) and could work out if it was a new individual. Traps were actually tunnels made out of PVC drain pipe with two entrances/exits (so an animal wouldn't feel trapped), each of which had an RFID antenna fitted to the outside. The camera sat at the back of the tunnel so it could record animals entering or leaving from either entrance. Here's a picture:

The RFID logger we used was this (LINK) although it looks like it's sold out. It had an auxilliary daughter board that could be used for the second entrance antenna (LINK). Antennas we used were these (LINK). 

We never got to do a lot of testing, but in a pilot study it seemed to do ok. I am happy to share any relevant files etc., I have to build it all, but it sounds like you need something a lot more sophisticated. The logger from @sam_octanis looks amazing and so does Sarah Knowles'. 

I was always keen on exploring the next logical step of this process to which was actually a device that could deploy tags if an animal wasn't tagged. Our idea was something akin to an 'orchid' which deposited a tag on the back of an animal while it was a feeding source. We figured some sort of glue would probably work (e.g. UV cured glue) although retention rates would be interesting. Might be long enough for a two or three capture occasion study though...

Anyway, I am happy to help if I can and could even send some of our gear to @Freaklabs if you end up collaborating as they no doubt could build a very suitable system for ya.

All the best,

Rob

Hi Caitlin,

you might also look at this RFID logger sold by Labmaker:

Greetings from Austria,

Robin

Here is another RFID resource/vendor:

Hi Chris,

I can say I've had some good experience with the Lotek Pinpoint tags that Rob mentioned.

You could also get in touch with ICARUS program at Max Planck (https://www.icarus.mpg.de/en).  They've developed a new tracking system, with their own first reciever on the ISS.  I think there are some limitations on the availability of their tags now as they're still ramping up their program.

Kyler

Hi all! Just wanted to add in that @gracieermi and I maintain a conservation tech directory that includes all the tracking/telemetry companies we've come across so far - conservationtech.directory. 

Currently listed doing a search of the directory - 

Cellular Tracking Technologies - https://celltracktech.com/ 

Advanced Telemetry Systems (ATS) - ​​https://atstrack.com/index.html

Ecotone Telemetry - http://www.ecotone-telemetry.com/index.php/en/oferta/obroze-telemetryczne

GPS Collars - https://www.gps-collars.com/ 

Lotek - https://www.lotek.com/

Microwave Telemetry - https://www.microwavetelemetry.com/

Milsar - https://milsar.com/

Technosmart Europe - https://www.technosmart.eu/

Telemetry Solutions - https://www.telemetrysolutions.com/

Telenax - https://telenax.com/

Telonics - https://www.telonics.com/index.php

Tigrinus - https://www.tigrinus.com.br/

Titley Scientific - https://www.titley-scientific.com/us/products/wildlife-tracking

Wildlife Computers - https://wildlifecomputers.com/

Xerius Tracking - http://www.xeriustracking.fr/

North Star - http://www.northstarst.com/

Migrate Tech - http://www.migratetech.co.uk/ 

e-obs GmbH - https://e-obs.de/

Africa Wildlife Tracking - https://awt.co.za/ 

Holohil - https://www.holohil.com/

Wildlife Materials - https://wildlifematerials.com/

Vectronic Aerospace/Vectronics - https://www.vectronic-aerospace.com/

Kiwi Track - https://kiwitrack.weebly.com/

We were the world first commercial direct to satellite ear tag. There are collar base solutions that work direct to satellite. 

Hi everyone, I’m not sure if this thread is still active, but i recently had a few clients asking for VHF trackers for assets being transported, I’ve created a few micro transmitters the last few weeks, extremely lightweight, steady & strong signal, variable pulse options, using a .3mm Nitinol wire for antenna, as well as the smallest discrete smd components on the market, but best of all the transmitter is able to steadily pulse for approximately 310 days using a silver oxide 1.5V button cell battery (imagine the transmission time with a few thousand mAh battery if size/weight wasn’t too critical), with a 20ms pulse every 1.2 seconds, I’ve attached pics to show size. if anyone is interested in making your own just message me please, I’d be happy to share build schematics and BOM, I have also made gerber files for anyone that wants them manufactured!

The transmitter should of course be incapsulated but here’s a PCB-less version to show you just how small it is.

I'll add -  avoid fast curing resins/epoxies for, at least, two reasons: 

1. The exothermic reaction between the two compounds can cause sensor issues (ie: heat).

2. Air bubbles will form (and cure) more easily in fast curing compounds.

Hi Roland,

This is really amazing, great to hear about your set-up! I'm just wondering what the overall cost was to set up this system? Just thinking in terms of setting up something similar in other parks and what they should expect with regard to price. Would also be great to hear about the overall effort, e.g., hours/team members required. It would be great to have this act as a blueprint for other organizations/research stations wishing to deploy a similar system within their respective national parks/areas/etc.! 

Hi Rolland,

Interested too, but why did you choose SigFox (a private network) rather than LoRa (open network)? 

Sigfox currently has some financial troubles that, don't know what it will become in the long term.