Tracking the movement and measuring physiological parameters in free-ranging wild animals is an essential part of modern wildlife ecology research. Our team has many years of experience in developing, manufacturing, and customizing bio-logging devices for addressing novel research questions.
Bio-logging, also known as biotelemetry, refers to the use of miniature animal-borne electronic devices for logging and/or relaying of data about an animal’s movements, behaviour, physiology and/or environment. We tailor bio-logging devices and attachment systems to suit the specific requirements of each study, with a strong emphasis on minimizing any potential impacts on the animals involved.
We combine classic tracking technologies (e.g., VHF- and GPS-tracking) and state-of-the-art Internet of Things (IoT) systems with physiological measurements to study movement, behaviour, and physiology of wildlife. Our high-performance devices provide detailed information on animals' location while measuring heart rate, body temperature, locomotor activity, and ambient temperature. Depending on the study design and species, these devices can operate for several years on a single battery charge and transmit data over distances of up to ten kilometres.
In many species, implanted sensors and transmitters are used to measure physiological parameters. We are dedicated to developing the least invasive methods for collecting such data, that minimize stress for the animals and ideally avoid surgical intervention. In recent years, we have achieved significant advancements in this area. For instance, we developed a transmitter for ruminants that can be swallowed and remains in the reticulum, where it measures heart rate and body temperature. This innovation is now widely utilized in projects of our institute and beyond.
Other recent developments include microprocessor-controlled miniature data loggers designed to measure body temperature and/or activity, weighing as little as 2 grams. These loggers can be combined with a programmable VHF transmitter, allowing users to select specific time-of-day and/or seasonal on/off intervals to maximize battery life.
Our lab has collaborated with researchers worldwide to study various species, including badger, deer, garden dormouse, edible dormouse, elephant, goat, domestic goose and grey goose, Heck cattle, ibex, meadow viper, marmot, moose, orangutan, Przewalski's horse, rhesus monkey, slow loris, tarsier, vulture, wild ass.
