We are extremely fortunate to collaborate with scientists and engineers at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour (MPIAB) in Konstanz, Germany.
The MPIAB team has been working on the development of cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) devices, specifically designed for tracking endangered species. The MPIAB has an exceptional track record in tracking a wide range of species across the globe, making their expertise invaluable to our cause. They are also renowned for the management and analyses of animal movement data.
One of our primary focuses has been on tracking rhinos, a species notoriously challenging to monitor. After careful consideration, we opted for an ear-attached device, as it posed the lowest risk to the animal’s welfare.
However, despite their robust appearance, rhinos have remarkably sensitive ears and reject anything weighing over 20-25g.
Astonishingly, the MPIAB has developed the latest version of a GPS ear tag specifically designed for rhinos, weighing a mere 19g! Needless to say, these devices also work really well on any plains game species.
During our collaborative efforts on the rhino tracking device, the team at MPIAB successfully developed an IoT tracking device specifically designed to be collar-mounted for wild dogs & cheetahs.
This innovation has significantly reduced the cost of tracking wild dogs across the expansive areas they traverse, making it a practical and cost-effective solution.
Development of tracking devices for vultures, which have proven to be highly successful and remarkably cost-effective, also emanated from the rhino device designs.
Although tracking pangolins has presented unique challenges due to their elusive nature and sensitivity, exciting progress has been made in this area as well.
