Wildlife Monitoring is crucial for scientific research, as it helps humans better understand animal behavior and discover ways to ensure their continuous survival, especially in restricted areas like national parks. Newer, more advanced tracking technologies can help proactively protect threatened species from poaching or other immediate threats.
For many years, Kruger National Park (SANParks) and wildlife researchers have used bulky GPS collars to track animal locations. However, these collars have several drawbacks and are not suitable for all species.
Due to the GPS attachment, these collars consume a significant amount of power, with data only being downloadable when the animal is captured and sedated.
Solar-powered tracking device. (Photo: MBB).
To locate the animal, the collar emits a VHF radio signal. Locating collars remains a significant challenge for species such as leopards, which have a vast territory.
Other collars can transmit the animal’s location to satellites every few hours, usually over the Iridium network, where data is sent to ground servers. This allows for remote monitoring but consumes more power. The batteries in these collars can last for several years, but they are large and bulky, making them suitable only for larger species.
In recent years, technology has opened up new possibilities for more compact and efficient devices such as Apple AirTags, Galaxy SmartTags, or Tile, which use Bluetooth and ultra-wideband communication to transmit locations instead of GPS. These devices ensure that batteries can last from several months to several years, but they are only effective in areas with many Bluetooth-supporting devices.
By using small solar panels, Ceres and GSatSolar are two companies that have created new compact tracking devices that do not require large batteries. These devices were initially designed to track livestock and other mobile assets.
Optimized device that can self-charge and is easy to attach to wildlife. (Photo: MBB).
Ceres offers three solar-powered tracking devices: Ceres Ranch, Ceres Trace, and Ceres Wild. Among these, Ranch has the capability to connect directly to satellites, with up to four location updates per day. Trace supports newer low Earth orbit satellite networks, with the same daily ping frequency. Ceres Wild can transmit directly to satellites with 24 location pings each day.
According to GSat, the tracking device can provide up to 12 location pings to the Iridium satellite network, with one day of solar charging for a 150Ah battery. Although the small solar panel array only generates a maximum of 0.125w of power.
Due to their compact size, these devices can be attached to animals without causing stress. Ceres Wild weighs only 35g, measuring 62mm in length, 36mm in width, and 37mm in thickness. GSatSolar weighs approximately 31g, including the part that attaches to the animal’s ear.
SANParks has begun testing GPS ear tags powered by mini solar panels to monitor wildlife locations. By attaching the tracking device to the animal’s ear, researchers and wildlife conservation staff can receive double the number of location pings without additional battery drain.
