GPS tracking of Mustelids

Wish to follow mustelids 24/7

Conventional technique is

VHF tracking with collar or

implant (e.g. otters)

Lot of disadvantages: e.g. low

accuracy of positioning, need

of many man hours, need of

lots of fuel for car or boat.

Development of GPS tags

For more than 10 years GPS tags have been used for

wildlife studies

Reintroduced lions in Addo Elephant Park (SA) Photo: Addy de Jongh

Why use GPS for studying animals?

# GPS is for detailed spatial and temporal reconstruction of short-range movements

# VHF transmitters are for short-range localization of animals

# Satellite transmitters based on Argos for long-range movements (lower spatial resolution)

# GLS (geolocators): very small tags for recording movements over long distances

Note! Nowadays also other and mixed systems available, like: Proximity sensors, Mote

networks, RFID, Magneto-inductive tracking (e.g. underground animals), GPS Argos, GPS

Iridium, GPS RF, GPS GSM/CDMA

What is GPS?

It is not: It is:

Global Positioning System

Currently 32 Block II/IIA/IIR/IIR-M satellites

Accuracy of GPS Accuracy of GPS can be 3 – 20 meter

Increase of accuracy possible with Satellite-based augmentation systems

(SBAS):

Positional dilution of precision

EGNOS for Europe

Not only GPS!

The 3 major global positioning systems are:

1. USA: NAVSTAR known as the Global Positioning System GPS

2. Russia: Global'naya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema:

GLONASS

3. European Union: GALILEO (not finished)

Galileo will have accuracy

of 20 – 100 cm !

These three positioning systems are called together the

Global Navigation Satellite System or GNSS

How to get the GPS data?

1. Logging and retrieval of GPS tag later on;

2. Receiving data over a wireless link (e.g. VHF, UHF, bluetooth) manually or

automatically with receiving stations (e.g. near a waterhole);

3. Sending data to Argos satellites and receiving data by e-mail;

4. Sending data with Iridium or Globalstar networks and receiving by e-mail

SMS and/or internet;

5. Sending data with cellular networks (GSM/CDMA) and receiving by e-mail

SMS and/or internet;

BATTERY LIFE = MAIN LIMITATION OF GPS TAGS

1. The GPS receivers inside the devices use a lot of power;

2. When Argos, Iridium or GSM/CDMA modems are used for sending

data even more power consumption

MOST GPS GSM DEVICES ARE LARGE

BECAUSE OF LARGE BATTERIES.

GPS tracking of mustelids Until some years ago GPS transmitters have only been used in large

carnivores. Recently they have also been used in studies on the following

large – medium

sized Mustelid

species:

Fisher -- Martes pennanti Wolverine – Gulo gulo

Badger – Meles meles Otter – Lutra lutra

GPS GSM collars

In most mustelids collars will fit properly

Otters need a light weight harness, because of their

streamlined body “without a neck”.

Disadvantage: most available systems are too large and

expensive: about € 3.000 – 4.000 euro / collar

GPS antenne

GSM + GPS

Cellular network cover

Disappointing GSM cover in Irish GPS otter study area

Development low cost

GPS GSM transmitters

2009: Dutch Otterstation

Foundation developed

own system based on Telit

GE863 combi GPS GSM

modem

Advantages:

Low cost (only € 800,- !!!!)

Programming with open

source python

Sleep/wake up function

Small, light weight

Python tracking software

Python Telitracker software

developed by Dutch Otterstation Foundation

Server software

Online change of

GPS fix schedule

and data

transmission

Conclusion Good results, robust system, energy consumption still too high

With some adaptation system can work for other and smaller mammals:

Necessary smaller module, less power consumption

New developments

1. Micro Telitracker:

Telit GE865 - GSM

uBlox NEO 5Q – (A-)GPS

Atmega32u2 – MCU

SIM/uSD kaart combi

2. Other approach:

Post-processing of raw GPS

signals. Only 200 millisecond

necessary for GPS fix.

Processing of GPS signal on

server.

Latest development The only 25 x 25 mm

Atto GPS GSM module:

Origin GPS + Telit GSM +

Bosch accelerometer + SIM

on Chip + STM32 µC

25 mm

25 m

m

Test of Atto GPS GSM during trip

back from Portugal summer 2012

With 12 GPS fixes/day and 1 data

transmission/2 hrs with a 2500 mAh

battery the Atto can run for almost 200

days.

With less GPS fixes and only 1 data

transmission/day this can be much longer.

Welfare issues Trapping and tagging animals is invasive. Gives stress.

Is it possible to use other, non-invasive methods?

Licensing is necessary.

Goal of radio tracking research should give a clear benefit for the

conservation of the species.

Success can only be there after thorough preparation.

Thank you for your attention!