GPS animal tracking

For broader coverage of this topic, see Animal migration tracking.

For a chronological guide, see History of wildlife tracking technology.

GPS animal tracking is a way that biologists, scientists, and groups that help protect animals can watch where wild animals go using the Global Positioning System. This helps them learn about how animals move around, especially when they travel long distances. Special small devices can be placed on animals to record where they are at certain times. These devices can send the information to a computer so people can see the animal's path on a map.

These GPS devices can also be used on pets, farm animals, and even working dogs. Some pet owners use them to make sure their pets stay safe in certain areas. For wild animals, the devices are often very small and cannot be recharged once they are placed. This helps scientists understand how animals behave and move, which can also help prevent the spread of diseases among animals.

Animal telemetry is the idea of sending information from animals from far away using electronic devices. In the past, scientists used radio signals to track animals, but they had to follow the animals to find them. GPS tracking is a big improvement because it sends the exact location of the animal at set times. Biologging is an even broader way to study animals. It not only tracks where they go but also helps learn about their behaviors and other information. GPS tracking is one part of this bigger science of biologging.

History

Earlier ways to watch animals depended on following them by hand or watching them closely. These methods were limited because they relied on physical markers or seeing the animals. In the middle of the 20th century, scientists started using VHF radio telemetry. This meant putting a radio transmitter on an animal and using a special device to find it. While this helped a lot, it was hard work and did not give very exact locations.

Later, satellite systems like Argos, started in the 1970s, let scientists track animals over big distances using satellites. These were mostly used for large animals because the transmitters were heavy. Even though these systems were not very exact at first, they helped scientists watch animals all over the world, especially birds and sea animals.

When GPS technology came along in the 1990s, it changed animal tracking a lot. Scientists could now get very accurate locations. At first, these GPS devices were big and used a lot of power, so they were only used on large animals. But as technology improved, the devices got smaller and used less power, so they could be used on many kinds of animals. Today, these GPS devices can send information through satellites or cell phones, letting scientists watch animals in real time without having to find the devices. They can also collect other information about the animals, making them very useful for studying and protecting wildlife.

Applications

Wildlife conservation

GPS tracking is a very helpful tool for protecting animals and nature. Scientists use it to watch where animals go, like their paths when they move to find food or new homes. This helps people learn which places are important for animals to live and grow. It is especially useful for animals that are in danger, because it lets experts watch them all the time without disturbing where they live.

Agriculture and livestock

On farms, GPS tracking is used to watch farm animals like cows and sheep. This helps farmers know where the animals go and how they use the land for eating grass. It also helps farmers spot when an animal might be sick or hurt, so they can help the animal faster and keep the farm running smoothly.

Pet tracking

Many pet owners use GPS trackers for their dogs and cats. If a pet gets lost, the tracker helps the owner find it. This shows that GPS technology is not just for scientists—it can be used by anyone, even in everyday life.

Scientific research

GPS tracking is also used in many science projects to study animals and nature. It helps scientists understand how animals behave and move, giving us important information about the world around us.

Attachment

Collar attachment

Collar attachment is the main way to attach a tracking device. It works best for animals that have the right body shape and behavior. Tracking collars are usually placed around the animal's neck, but they can also be put on a limb, like around an ankle. Animals like primates, large cats, and some bears are good candidates for neck attachments. For animals like kiwi, where the foot is bigger than the ankle, attaching to a limb works well.

Harness attachment

Harness attachments are used when a collar isn’t suitable. This might be because the animal’s neck is too wide compared to its head. Animals like pigs and Tasmanian devils often need harness attachments. Large birds with long necks, such as the greylag goose, may also need a harness to keep the device from being removed by the animal.

Direct attachment

Direct attachment is used when a collar can’t be used, such as with birds, reptiles, and marine mammals.

For birds, the GPS unit must be very light so it doesn’t affect their flying or swimming. The device is usually glued or taped to the bird and will fall off naturally when the bird molts.

For reptiles like crocodiles and turtles, the unit is glued to the animal’s skin or carapace using epoxy. This method helps reduce discomfort.

For marine mammals like phocids or otariids, the device is glued to the fur and falls off during the annual moult. Devices used with turtles or marine animals must be able to withstand seawater and stay waterproof under pressure.

Other attachment methods

Other methods include tracking rhinoceros by drilling a hole in the animal’s horn and implanting a device. Implanted transmitters may have a shorter range because the animal’s body can block some of the signal.

There are also GPS implants for large snakes, such as those offered by Telemetry Solutions.

Software

Embedded

Scientists set up GPS devices to record an animal’s location at certain times, called duty cycles. Shorter times between recordings mean the device will last a shorter time, but give more details. Longer times between recordings mean the device can last longer, but give fewer details.

Some GPS devices can be set to fall off on their own at a certain time or date, so scientists don’t have to catch the animal to get the device back. Some devices can also be triggered to fall off by a special radio signal.

Analytical

The location data from GPS devices can be shown using special computer programs called Geographic Information Systems (GIS), like the open-source program GRASS. Other tools, such as Generic Mapping Tools (GMT), FollowDem, and Maptool, can help display the data on the internet.

Scientists can also use statistical software like R to study the data and find patterns in the animal’s behavior.

Data retrieval

Further information: Argos System

Scientists can use special GPS devices that send information through satellites. One way is by using the Argos System, which has been helping researchers since 1978. People can get their data directly from Argos and work with it to learn more about the animals they are studying.

Sometimes, if the satellite connection is not working well, scientists can use special equipment to catch the signals close by. GPS data can also be sent using cell phone networks, messages, or internet connections. There are even GPS tools made just for tracking cows. Lastly, GPS information can sometimes be sent using short radio waves that need a special receiver to understand.

Complications

Scientists have wondered if GPS collars might change how animals behave. They tested this with elephants in a zoo in the United States. The elephants acted the same whether they wore collars or not.

Another study looked at monkeys called mantled howler monkeys. Some wore special GPS collars, while others did not. The monkeys acted similarly, but after the study, some collars hurt the monkeys. The collars caused scratches and cuts on the monkeys' necks.

GPS tracking helps scientists watch where animals go and how they move. This is useful for learning about wildlife and keeping pets safe. However, the devices need to last a long time without bothering the animals. Some tracking devices use special technologies like Sigfox or LoRa. These can work well in faraway places and help save battery power, making the collars smaller and longer-lasting. For example, Sigfox technology is already being used in Kruger National Park in South Africa to track smaller animals more easily.

Limitations

GPS tracking of animals has some limits that can affect how well it works. One big limit is that GPS can’t work well where there are no clear views of the sky, like in thick forests or underwater. When this happens, the device might not get good location data or might miss some locations altogether.

Another limit is power. Most GPS devices run on batteries, and batteries don’t last forever. This means scientists can only track animals for a certain amount of time before the battery runs out. Also, if they want to get data more often — like every few seconds instead of every few minutes — the battery will run out even faster. Solar-powered devices can help, but they also depend on having enough sunlight.

The environment can also affect GPS tracking. Things like steep hills, tall trees, or bad weather like heavy rain or thick clouds can make it harder for the device to get clear signals. These conditions can lead to missing or less accurate data from some areas where animals live.

Ethical considerations

GPS animal tracking can bring up important questions about how we treat animals and do research. Sometimes, the devices used to track animals can change their behavior or even hurt them, especially if the devices are big compared to the animal. To help protect animals, scientists follow special rules and get approval from groups that make sure research is done the right way. This helps make sure animals stay safe while scientists learn more about them.