Researchers from the University of Calgary have teamed with Lotek Wireless to develop a new animal tracking collar. The new technology aims to add the ability to analyze behavior in addition to the traditional location tracking capability.
The new sensors combine to:
- capture animal body mechanics to categorize behaviors such as feeding
- image the animals surroundings to classify diet via imagery
- relate the animal’s location to human activity to show the animal’s response
- collect details on surroundings to understand preferred habitats
The new collar should add a more definitive ability to understand animal reactions to human development and land use, providing much better insight to assist policy makers in making better decisions regarding agriculture, forestry, and conservation decisions.
Funding for this project is provided by TECTERRA. Lotek anticipates a release of this new product in the spring of 2012.
