FOCUS

1. FOCUS • FOCUS • FoCuS • focus

2. Wildlife Radiotelemetry • Read Chapter 14 in your Book • Read the online report by Mech and Barber (2002) as linked on the course web page

3. Wildlife Radiotelemetry • Read Chapter 14 in your Book • Read the online report by Mech and Barber (2002) as linked on the course web page • We will discuss: • What is it? • Why is it used? • How is it done? • What are the problems? • How are these problems overcome? • What are the alternatives? • What are the advantages of each? • When is it a “good” technique?

4. Hands on! • We will gain experience with • How the equipment works • Homing to a transmitter “contest #1” • Estimation of system error and bias • Use of compass • Field experiment • Analysis • Triangulation “contest 2” • Use of GPS • UTM coordinates • Use of maps • Plotting locations • Demonstration of computer resources for plotting and analysis as time permits

5. What is radiotelemetry • Involves the attachment of a radio device to a wild animal for the purpose of monitoring its location • May be attached externally or internally • When is internal/external more appropriate? • May be one of several types of devices: • Conventional VHF radio transmitter • May have various optional features • Motion sensor • Mortality sensor • Heart rate monitor, temperature sensor,… • Remotely triggered syringe

6. Types of devices, continued • Conventional Satellite Transmitters • Must pay for satellite use • GPS receivers • On board data retrieval • Remote data retrieval • Conventional radio • Satellite download • Must pay for satellite use • Acoustic and combo transmitters • More details on each in readings • Will discuss as time permits

7. What questions are answered or hypotheses tested through wildlife radiotelemetry? 1 – 2 - 3 - 4 –

8. Questions and hypotheses • Dispersal: when, which individuals, how far • Migration: as above, and pathways • Other movements: as above, and rate • Location: dens, nests, habitat type • Behavior: avoid or attracted to others … • Space use: home range, territory, core area • Survival rate: requires lots of transmitters • Breeding: to locate nest, den, brood … • Impacts: of land use, management, …

9. Is radiotelemetry a “good” technique?

10. Is radiotelemetry a “good” technique? • Be thinking about this as we go along over the next few weeks • It is often the ONLY way to collect certain data • Are those data really needed? • Are there other ways to achieve the same objective(s) that are “better?” • What are the alternatives? • Other thechniques • Do not achieve the objective

11. Does the marked animal typify population? • Minimizing the effects of radiomarking (13 ways) • Assume there IS an effect(s) • Literature review for proper attachment/effects • Consult the experts about similar species/studies • Use smallest radio possible • Use most inconspicuous package/attachment • Test the attachment method • Pilot study for first-time method or species • Practice attachment on animal or surrogate • Ensure fit of package on each individual • Consider periods of stress (weather, breeding,…) • Observe post-attachment behavior • Allow for post-attachment acclimation • Publish positive AND negative aspects of your experience

12. Costs • Receivers cost between $500 and $5000+ • Vary from limited-frequency, “channel” type to full frequency, digital type • May be radio, acoustic, or combo • May be able to transmit an injection or download signal • May be able to receive other data • GPS coordinated • Body temperature • Others • Scanners or manual tuning

13. Cost, continued • Transmitters cost from $125 to $5000+ • Small VHF with no options are cheapest • Subminiature and Large units are more • Options cost! • GPS is more • Satellite rental • $100+ /mo/transmitter • Depends on agency • DYI is fun and cheap in the short run • More costly in the long run • Time and reliability are the main concerns

14. Obtaining Equipment • Dozens of companies that specialize in providing transmitters, receivers, and accessories • TWS working group maintains a web site with info • See course page links • Selection may be based on agency contract, country, familiarity, or track record • Prices are similar • You don’t always get what you pay for • See expert advice from multiple experts

15. Conventional Radiotelemetry • VHF – UHF frequency is assigned by the FCC • EKU uses 150-152 MHz receivers • Each transmitter (animal) usually has a unique frequency • Transmitters should be separated by 10 KHz or more to distinguish between individulas • E.g., 150.500, 150.510, 150.520 • Limited to about 200 animals in a study area • Need to avoid frequencies of other studies in your area! • Transmitter sends out pulses or beeps • Slow pulse uses less battery but takes longer to radiolocate • Manufacturer may alter pulse rate and signal strength to reduce battery drain or increase performance • Depends on your objectives

16. Directional Antenna • A directional antenna is used, much like the old rooftop TV antennas on a rotor • You get the strongest signal when the antenna points at the transmitter • I.e., the loudest beep • The animal is that way, but how far? • You must “home” or triangulate • to find a location • Directional antennas may be Yagi, dual yagi, or loop antennas • We will use 2-element (H-antenna) or 3-element yagi-type