Modern Weights and Measurements of Leopards

[Pckts]

(08-08-2018, 12:25 AM)ShereKhan Wrote:

(08-07-2018, 05:38 PM)Pckts Wrote: @ShereKhan 
Microchips used here in the states are for identification not tracking, I’m sure if there was a better method for tracking they’d use it.

All my pets have a GPS tracker on their collars.  You can buy them on Amazon for less than $100. And they're small.

I’m sure the collars sold for pets aren’t nearly as sophisticated or durable as the ones used for wildlife.

The use of tracking collars is one of the most common methods of monitoring wild animals

• It allows researchers and managers to collect baseline data like home range sizes, daily movements, behavioural data and diet.
• Radio tracking involves fitting the study animal with a radio collar. These collars are designed to minimize impact on the animals’ behaviour and to maximize their detectability.
• They come in a variety of belt and battery sizes; in general the weight of the collar should be no more than 4 to 5 percent of the animal’s body weight for mammals, depending on the species. For example, the weight of a collar for an wild dog shouldn’t exceed 450grams.
  

Depending on the species of animal, the collars can be customized with sensors to recognize different movement activity, temperature and even mortality. When the movement sensor detects no movement, after a pre-programmed period of time, it changes the pulse rate to a higher or lower rate indicating change in behaviour (e.g. resting or stationary).
Let’s look at the different types of tracking collars:
1. STANDARD VHF COLLARS
How they work: The ‘VHF’ stands for ‘very high frequency’ collar, also known as a pulse collar. VHF transmitters attached to a study animal emit a pulsed radio signal allowing a person to physically locate and observe the animal by homing into the signal using a receiver and directional antenna.
Advantages: VHF transmitters are easy to use, reliable, versatile and affordable providing exceptional value. They can be used for a wide variety of animals, and the operating life of the battery can last up to three years. This type of collar can be available with an internal antenna as an option, for use when there is a high chance of the antenna being chewed.
Approximate cost of collar: $350 (including delivery)

and I'm sure as technology grows, the devices used will be less invasive. It isn't necessarily the collar that is the hard part, it's the capture it self. We had a debate a while back on if it's actually worth it to collar wildlife, do the benefits outweigh the flaws.
Many animals have died from being drug overdosed during the procedure, many big cats have became man eaters afterwards and aggressive towards people as well as the possibility of hackers using the data to locate wildlife.
It was an interesting debate with both sides sharing some good points, but any way, that's my 2 cents.  Reply