Animal Tracking with IoT: Applications for Conservation

Introduction

Animal tracking has become an indispensable tool for wildlife conservation. By gathering data on animal movements, behavior, and habitat use, researchers can better understand and protect endangered species. The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming tracking capabilities, enabling more sophisticated monitoring of animals in their natural environments. In this article, I explore the evolution of animal tracking technology, examine key IoT applications, and highlight real-world examples of how IoT tracking benefits conservation.

A Brief History of Animal Tracking

Humans have tracked animal movements for millennia. Indigenous cultures studied animal patterns to aid hunting and gatherings. In modern times, scientists pioneered new tracking techniques to study elusive species.

Early Tracking Methods

• Indigenous peoples tracked animals by observing footprints, scat, broken vegetation, and other signs. This traditional ecological knowledge helped sustainably manage wildlife.
• Tagging animals began in the 19th century. Researchers attached metal bands to birds to trace migrations. Tags expanded to include ear tags, wing tags, and radio collars on mammals.

Rise of Biotelemetry

• In the 1960s, biotelemetry revolutionized animal tracking. Miniature radio transmitters broadcasted an animal’s location or sensor data.
• Telemetry collars tracked wide-ranging species like wolves, bears, and tigers difficult to directly observe. But biotelemetry had limitations:
  • Costly collars provided limited location data points
  • Transmitters had short battery life
  • Line-of-sight was required between transmitter and receiver

Emergence of Satellite Tracking

• In the 1970s, Argos satellite system overcame biotelemetry limits.
  • Collars transmitted to satellites, enabling global tracking
  • Provided frequent, precise location data
• By the 1990s, GPS collars integrated with satellites delivered regular tracking worldwide.

IoT Transforms Animal Tracking

In the 21st century, the Internet of Things (IoT) has elevated animal tracking to new levels. IoT refers to a network of internet-enabled objects that collect and share data. Applied to wildlife, researchers now deploy smart collars and sensors that generate troves of animal data.

Key IoT Technologies

Several IoT technologies have enhanced monitoring capabilities:

• Collars with integrated GPS, satellite modem, and sensors – Measure location, activity levels, physiology
• Low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN) – Long-range wireless networks extending into remote areas
• Solar recharging – Allows collars to operate for years
• Drones – Quickly survey landscapes and observe animals
• Camera traps – Capture wildlife remotely with embedded cameras

Advanced Analytics

IoT collars and devices produce more animal data than ever before. But it is advanced analytics that truly unlocks value:

• Machine learning – Detects patterns and gleans insights from massive data
• Real-time monitoring – Sends alerts on critical events like unusual movements
• 3D habitat modeling – Maps terrain use and environmental parameters

IoT Benefits

Key benefits IoT brings to animal tracking:

• Higher resolution data – Collects animal locations and activities at finer scales
• Expanded capabilities – Adds sensors like temperature that weren’t possible before
• Less invasive – Smaller, lighter collars minimize impact on animals
• Cost-effective – Reduces expenses by remotely uploading large datasets

Conservation Applications

IoT tracking serves many conservation purposes, improving protection for endangered species worldwide:

Population Monitoring

• Estimates population sizes and trends – Critical for conservation status
• Identifies critical habitats and movement corridors

Combating Poaching

• Tracks high-risk animals in real-time to prevent poaching
• Rapidly detects poaching incidents through mortality sensors

Human-Wildlife Conflict

• Monitors wildlife approaching farms, roads, or villages
• Provides early warning to prevent dangerous interactions

Post-Reintroduction Tracking

• Follows reintroduced animals to gauge repopulation success
• Ensures survival and habitat use of new populations

Climate Change Research

• Documents species range shifts and altered behaviors due to climate change
• Reveals effects on physiology and breeding patterns

Case Studies

IoT tracking has delivered major conservation successes around the globe:

Snow Leopards in Central Asia

• Context: Endangered big cats threatened by poaching and habitat loss
• Solution: GPS collars traced snow leopards across remote mountains
• Impact: Mappedconnectivity corridors to guide conservation plans

Jaguars in Brazil

• Context: Jaguars declining due to deforestation in the Amazon
• Solution: Collars mapped jaguar territories to prioritize protected areas
• Impact: Led to expanded protected reserves safeguarding jaguars

African Wild Dogs in Zimbabwe

• Context: One of world’s most endangered canids due to fragmentation
• Solution: Satellite collars tracked pack movements across ecosystems
• Impact: Identified a critical corridor to connect wild dog populations

The Future of Animal Tracking

IoT has transformed animal tracking, but further advances loom on the horizon. Emerging innovations I’m excited to see include:

• Miniaturized tags – For small species like birds, reptiles, and insects
• Underwater tracking – Using sonar to follow marine mammals and fish
• Biologging – Sensors detecting animal behaviors and physiology
• Real-time information sharing – Alerting wildlife managers globally of threats

The Internet of Animals is here, bringing an age of data-driven, technology-enabled conservation. The future looks bright for vulnerable species as IoT transforms how we understand and protect wildlife worldwide.