Wildlife tracking technologies have already massively advanced our understanding of the natural world, from uncovering previously mysterious migration patterns and key movement corridors to demonstrating the impacts of anthropogenic pressures and climate change. Recent advances in the development of technologies for collecting and transmitting biologging data have unlocked the potential for fine-scale data collection at a near-global scale, which when integrated with remotely sensed environmental data offers an unprecedented biological lens into ecosystem health and environmental change (Jetz et al. 2022).
New technologies on the horizon include small satellites like CubeSats, which are being investigated by NASA, the ICARUS Initiative's satellite system, and a variety of other ventures aiming to improve the coverage, accuracy, and capacity of wildlife tracking data collection. Combined with the increased availability of high-resolution environmental data and analytical developments in movement modeling, these advancements are empowering movement ecologists to ask previously unanswerable or unimaginable questions. It’s clear that this discipline sits at the precipice of major breakthroughs that could revolutionize our understanding of animal movement and the natural world.
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Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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I am wondering if anyone has ideas for river otter survival monitoring (no movement data needed) outside of implanted VHF transmitters.... |
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Biologging | 2 years 9 months ago | |
There are lots of data in Movebank that are not publically availalbe, all the grey dots in the search map. You can contact each data owner and arrange for access to the data... |
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Biologging | 2 years 11 months ago | |
Hi Matthew-- thanks. Very good suggestions. I am already going w the option of having the metal plate underneath. The tags cost a lot and I would rather go w the option that... |
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Biologging | 3 years ago | |
Hi Lars, I'm currently heat shrinking transmitters to make a simple pouch to hold a transmitter to an ear tag. Because I want to prevent damage to the ear as much as... |
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Biologging | 3 years ago | |
Hi Kyler, That's great! Thank you for the lead - I'll get in touch with them asap. Cheers, and all the best, Kas |
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Biologging | 3 years ago | |
https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/rse2.191 This paper may be of interest! And the latest Oryx edition is all camera-trap papers - ... |
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Biologging | 3 years 1 month ago | |
Interesting! The µMoth initiative also seems very promising. They seem to be employed on dogs now as preparation for use on wild dogs in the Carnivore Bytes... |
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Biologging | 3 years 1 month ago | |
LoRa based cattle tracking tags made by Moovement are used for bison in the US by Hila Shamon. Their biggest limitation as I see it is that they need continous connection... |
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Biologging | 3 years 1 month ago | |
Hi Wildlabbers, This week's Tech Tutors Season 2 epsiode will see our sixth tutor, Sarah Deans, tackle... |
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Biologging | 3 years 2 months ago | |
Hi Dennis, I actually work in the graduate career center at my university (my fellowship is doing that rather than teaching) and this is what we specialize in! I too am a... |
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Biologging | 3 years 2 months ago | |
Hi all you Wild folk! I'd like to ask if anyone has used CVEDIA's ARTEMIS or WildEyes AI before for recognising animals along... |
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Biologging | 3 years 2 months ago | |
Thanks Ellie - I signed up : ) |
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Biologging | 3 years 4 months ago |
Telemetry and tracking Snakes
30 January 2023 2:44pm
2 February 2023 1:47pm
Hi Huascar, how are you? there's limitations on snakes since their body form and behaviour, if you leave a VHF or GPS tag as an external fixation it will get tangled with roths and branches and it will fall, besides you have to suture and it can cause infections.
So far you only got implanted VHF transmitters, that's the most common, lonlasting and safe fixation method.
There's an alternative of using Tegaderm as a external fixation method but with ecdysis will eventually remove it.
any doubts please write me [email protected]
Advanced Field School in Computational Ecology
25 January 2023 2:54pm
Repository for 3D models of tracking devices
14 September 2017 2:29pm
3 October 2017 6:33pm
3D model of custome-made GeoTrak GT-65GS-GPS with slanted front face (adapted from http://www.geotrakinc.com/products/solarGPS/PTT-65g-solarGPS.html).
Known flaws: Size and shape of attachment loops are not correct: the actual material is too thin to allow for a strong 3D printing so I decided to make the loops thicker; the actual loop hole is also slightly wider. Base of antenna is shorter than actual one. Actual device has smoother angles and slightly convex top (where the solar panels are).
The 3D print will need to be sanded to smoothen the edges and to get the soft angles of the original design. I also designed the tag with a hole where the back solar panels should be: this is to add weight (metals nuts and bolts) to reach a final mass of 65g.
Attached files:
gt-65gs-gps_slanted_3d.skp_.pdf: SketchUp 2016 file. Change file name back to .skp
gt-65gs-gps_slanted_for_3d_print.stl_.pdf: Printing file. Change file name back to .stl
Yvan
20 September 2018 6:01pm
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
19 January 2023 10:38pm
I Rob, I just saw your message today (19 Jan 2023)! It's a bit late to reply but I wanted to make sure the tag manufacturer got the credit on the quality of their work. I'm not the manufacturer (just a user): these are made by Keith LeSage at Geotrak Inc, North Carolina, USA. We've beein working with them for about 10 years now and all their tags are as good looking as these.
Firetail Fellowships
19 January 2023 12:11pm
I'm a software engineer/data scientist at Schäuffelhut Berger. We're developing Firetail a software for GPS and acceleration visualization and behavioral annotation.
We have just launched our Firetail Fellowship Program which may be a great way to get access to a full Firetail license for your student project. Let me know if you have questions or comments on this!
Apply Now: AI for Conservation Office Hours
18 January 2023 5:15pm
How do I fit GPS satellite tags to remotely monitor giraffe movements?
18 January 2023 9:05am
Interview for Technologies in Conservation
24 November 2022 10:07am
16 January 2023 2:42pm
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.
16 January 2023 5:16pm
Happy to contribute [email protected]
17 January 2023 5:12pm
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.
Wildlife Telemetry Podcasts
9 January 2023 11:49am
9 January 2023 12:22pm
There is also this one:
featuring @ThomasGray_Argos
Very cool, Thomas!
16 January 2023 5:04pm
Hey, I know that guy : )
How tracking technology is transforming our understanding of animal behaviour
16 January 2023 3:14pm
Case Study on Monitoring Aquatic Species with Gliders and Biologging Gear
13 January 2023 3:51am
Here's a fascinating new case study on Ocean Tracking Network's work with underwater gliders to track tagged marine species like crabs. If you're interested in biologging, marine tech, or fisheries' tech usage, take a few minutes to read this!
Conservation Technology Intern (Vietnam)
11 January 2023 5:00pm
NomaTrack and the LoRa-DTN protocol
27 February 2021 11:58pm
26 March 2021 8:26pm
LoRA is registered in most places. With Starlink offering more and more service it would be possible in the future to transmit remote images through satellite once it is available in Madagascar. Power consumption of Starlink is big though.
4 January 2023 2:07pm
Hi Carly!
Since LoRa and LoRaWAN are meant for low bandwidth data it is not really feasible to use for transmitting remote audio and image data. It could be very valuable to have metadata like battery levels and trap "levelness" sent back to get an idea of the power and physical state of the traps. I am dreaming of something like this for our remote camera traps used for monitoring arctic fox dens in Greenland. They are not rarely turned over by muskox and polar bear and we are consequently loosing important data.
9 January 2023 3:36pm
The system is showcased here:
GPS tacking tag for turtle doves - any recommendations?
11 August 2021 11:00pm
24 September 2021 3:12pm
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
13 October 2021 6:13pm
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/
6 January 2023 8:32pm
The solution with an ICARUS antenna on the ISS is on hold. It is planned that the GRACE-I will be the new satellite system to support the ICARUS:
GRACE-I is planned to be launched in 2027.
This mentions possible intermittent solutions:
I am a bit puzzled there is no mentioning of GRACE-I on ICARUS' own website:
Designing non-standard tracking collars
6 January 2017 8:40pm
24 February 2017 11:36pm
Hi,
i've build collars for quite a few "non-standard" collared species. I tend to modify cheap consumer GPS devices to do so. It's a few years old now, but attached is a link to a video I made on modifying GPS devices for wildlife.
https://youtu.be/UaSvS0grVjw
feel free to email me with any specific questions you have.
5 January 2023 7:59am
Have a look at this for an example of unconventional tracker designs:
GPS collars for goats
15 February 2022 3:45pm
18 August 2022 7:00pm
Can you expand on what you mean by "They are the only commercial, direct to satellite, animal monitoring ear tag"?
19 August 2022 2:00am
We were the world first commercial direct to satellite ear tag. There are collar base solutions that work direct to satellite.
3 January 2023 7:40pm
I have no experience with LoraWAN tracking myself but just wanted share a few relevant links for a LoraWAN wildlife use case and a few suppliers of LoraWAN trackers:
An alternative to LoraWAN could be UHF based systems like:
10 min fix intervals is quite high. You may need solar powered devices to keep up this high frequency.
Good luck!
Margo Luminous Beta Launch: New Tracking Collar Manufacturer
20 February 2020 5:30pm
3 January 2023 3:14am
Hi @Lars_Holst_Hansen I can provide an update. The initial beta units have completed testing and production of commercial units has begun. Low volumes so far but we are quickly ramping up.
The official launch should be in next month or so.
If you would like you can email [email protected]
To be notified early as soon as we have units available.
Brett
3 January 2023 5:05pm
Thanks Brett! I am not looking to buy anything any time soon but I am always curious to follow any new progress and developments in the market of biologgers.
Regarding the accelerometry I am curious to know which frequencies are supported. Have you considered magnetometry, too? This could obviously be useful in dead reckoning but also for inferring behavioural states (as shown in this paper).
3 January 2023 5:36pm
No problem. I believe Jared was wanting to share more about our experience developing a collar on Wildlabs when there is time. I'm more on the mechanical end of things. Right now we are focused on reliability and longevity. Thanks for the paper I'll check it out!
Workshop Invite: Building Partnerships between Conservation Tech and the UK Space Sector
22 September 2022 3:50pm
5 December 2022 3:10pm
Hi Steph,
If it's not too late, I'm very interested in this workshop.
Best,
V
6 December 2022 5:52pm
Hey Vance! We hosted the workshop a few weeks ago, but we're doing follow up calls and future meetings. I'll loop you into the next call!
Steph
12 December 2022 12:03am
Hi Steph. Would be interested also.
Post Doctoral Fellow - Computer Vision/Arctic Avian Ecology
7 December 2022 4:21am
Underwater Camera Trap Video Confirms 1,100-Mile (1800-km) Swim of Tagged Great White Shark
25 October 2022 10:20am
Shark Lab Data Analyst
24 October 2022 7:12pm
Water leakage in aquatic tags at deeper depths
12 October 2022 12:37pm
20 October 2022 11:41am
Thanks a lot Alasdair, this is great. We will take this into consideration for our next testing phase.
Best
Hari
21 October 2022 4:12pm
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.
23 October 2022 2:51pm
Thanks Thomas!! We do use slow curing resins with no heat generation
Conservation Technology Intern (Vietnam)
19 October 2022 9:22am
Rainforest SigFox available for use
26 August 2022 6:09pm
26 September 2022 10:20pm
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.!
10 October 2022 8:33am
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.
18 October 2022 11:55am
Hi Everyone,
We chose sigfox becuase it seems to have better range and is plug-play, whereas LoRa requires more custom programming and updating. Getting a gateway cost us $2000 for a year's lease + deposit. We covered solar power. There are also some 'minigateways' you can purchase but I don't know how they compare in range (plan to test). So far we are happy with the performance, in that it has worked consistency with no outages (once we stabilized the power supply). I think the annual costs are about $10 per tag. We are working on a paper that will describe this in more detail. So far just using for tracking tags but also looking at a trap sensor.
cheers
Roland
New paper: Benthic animal-borne sensors & citizen science combine to validate ocean modelling
10 October 2022 4:15pm
"We develop the use of benthic species as animal oceanographers by combining archival (depth, temperature) data from animal-borne tags, passive acoustic telemetry & citizen-science mark-recapture records for the flapper skate in Scotland."
Open-source Argos satellite tag for bears - available now
7 October 2022 4:49pm
9 October 2022 5:14am
Oh, that looks so good, and some heavy hitting design firms too!
Humidity/Temperature/Light Level logger
27 September 2022 12:01am
7 October 2022 4:50pm
Hi David,
I've used our monitoring platform, PRTG (www.paessler.com), with environmental sensors for a server room, which included temperature and humidity. The monitoring platform is free up to a certain amount of sensors, so if this would be all you were using it for then it would be completely free of cost. Some hardware devices for environmental monitoring they have listed in one of their knowledge base articles are listed below, none of which I've used, but perhaps one of these would work, and if not, it will put you on the right track if you wanted to pursue this type of solution for what you are looking to do:
"All of these vendors offer physical sensors that can provide data about their environment. Connected to some kind of SNMP-enabled “management box” these sensors become network-enabled."
Cheers!
Rick
Long-term tracking of whale feeding behavior via satellite now possible with new tag
4 October 2022 5:20pm
Live Q&A Discussion on Ceres Tag: An animal monitoring Solution!
17 August 2022 6:57am
1 September 2022 5:48am
Hi Peter, Other users are having success embedding the tag into the rear face of the rear horn, see photos
26 September 2022 9:17pm
Is there any sort of automatic drop-off mechanism for the tags? Or does the animal need to be re-captured to take the tag off?
29 September 2022 3:52am
Hi Carly,
There are no built in automatic drop-off mechanism for the tags. We do have customers that have purchased and incorporated the tag into different types of harness and collars.
Happy to discuss further with you to understand your use case. Head over to www.cerestag.com and there is a "let's talk" button.
Conservation Tech Directory - new update!
29 August 2022 2:38pm
23 September 2022 5:26pm
Congrats on the milestone Carly and Gracie!
26 September 2022 10:07pm
Thanks so much!!
New paper: A novel method for identifying coded tags recorded on aquatic acoustic monitoring systems
26 September 2022 2:11pm
Authors demonstrated "a low cost, simple method to support acoustic tag surveys by identifying tags both from direct acoustic recordings & by reconstructing code packets from processed C-POD data. Method was applied to decode tag detections from bass & Twaite shad."
31 January 2023 6:29pm
Hi Huascar!
I have no experience with tracking snakes.
If I was you, I would start by having a look at a goggle scholar search like this:
Another place to ask for advice from experienced users would be to find some snake tracking researchers on
Good luck!