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The success of GPS collar deployments on mammals in Australia
Citation
Matthews, A and Ruykys, L and Ellis, B and Fitzgibbon, S and Lunney, D and Crowther, MS and Glen, AS and Purcell, B and Moseby, K and Stott, J and Fletcher, D and Wimpenny, C and Allen, BL and van Bommel, L and Roberts, M and Davies, N and Green, K and Newsome, T and Ballard, G and Fleming, P and Dickman, CR and Eberhart, A and Troy, S and McMahon, C and Wiggins, N, The success of GPS collar deployments on mammals in Australia, Australian Mammalogy, 35, (1) pp. 65-83. ISSN 0310-0049 (2013) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Journal compilation copyright Australian Mammal Society 2013
DOI: doi:10.1071/AM12021
Abstract
Global Positioning System (GPS) wildlife telemetry collars are being used increasingly to understand the movement patterns of wild mammals. However, there are few published studies on which to gauge their general utility and success. This paper highlights issues faced by some of the first researchers to use GPS technology for terrestrial mammal tracking in Australia. Our collated data cover 24 studies where GPS collars were used in 280 deployments on 13 species, including dingoes or other wild dogs (Canis lupus dingo and hybrids), cats (Felis catus), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), kangaroos (Macropus giganteus), koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), livestock guardian dogs (C. l. familiaris), pademelons (Thylogale billardierii), possums (Trichosurus cunninghami), quolls (Dasyurus geoffroii and D. maculatus), wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus and Petrogale lateralis), and wombats (Vombatus ursinus). Common problems encountered were associated with collar design, the GPS, VHF and timed-release components, and unforseen costs in retrieving and refurbishing collars. We discuss the implications of collar failures for research programs and animal welfare, and suggest how these could be avoided or improved. Our intention is to provide constructive advice so that researchers and manufacturers can make informed decisions about using this technology, and maximise the many benefits of GPS while reducing the risks.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | field performance, fix success, location data, satellite, wildlife tracking |
| Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
| Research Group: | Environmental management |
| Research Field: | Wildlife and habitat management |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Other environmental management |
| Objective Field: | Other environmental management not elsewhere classified |
| UTAS Author: | van Bommel, L (Dr Linda van Bommel) |
| UTAS Author: | Troy, S (Ms Shannon Troy) |
| UTAS Author: | Wiggins, N (Dr Natasha Wiggins) |
| ID Code: | 84782 |
| Year Published: | 2013 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 50 |
| Deposited By: | Zoology |
| Deposited On: | 2013-05-31 |
| Last Modified: | 2017-10-31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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