Wildlife Research Using GPS Tracking

Since GPS telemetry for wildlife is relatively new, most studies have involved testing the reliability and accuracy of the equipment in varying environments and applications. Performance of various GPS collars have been tested for moose (Rempel et al. 1995; Moen et al. 1996; Rodgers et al. 1996; Dussault et al. 1999), white-tailed deer (Merrill et al. 1998; Bowman et al. 2000), and wolves (Merrill et al. 1998; Merrill and Mech 2000; Merrill 2002). The collars have functioned well, especially the most recent versions, which can be placed on an animal when it is most easily captured and can be programmed to begin duty cycling some months later (Nelson and Mech submitted).

No doubt, tests of GPS technology for wildlife will continue since new products are still rapidly forthcoming. For example, recent weight decreases have made remote-data-downloading GPS collars available for use on wolf-sized animals. Furthermore, with the establishment of baseline accuracies and statistically appropriate research applications, along with increased awareness of the potential for highly accurate data, increasing numbers of studies using GPS telemetry can be expected. Also, the cost should eventually decline to a more affordable level. Improvements such as these will hasten the use of GPS for a greater range of species.