There are many different types of collars used in wildlife research. These collars allow us to track and follow dogs acting as a critical part of our research. Here at BCPT (Botswana Predator Conservation Trust) we use RVC, SAT, and VHF collars. Each collar is used for a different function and tells us a slightly different story.
RVC, Royal Veterinary College, collars are used to improve the accuracy at which GPS fixes are taken and the distance at which the individual is traveling. These collars will transmit a signal and GPS location every three hours while dogs are at rest but once dogs begin to move the collars will transmit a GPS location every 15 minutes.
For my project, I will be using the VHF and SAT collars to examine where the African Wild Dogs, also known as the Painted Wolf, are moving across the landscape. With VHF collars we are only able to find them if we are within a 2km radius of the dogs but they are still important for resident packs that aren't as important to get eyes on every day.
With a SAT, Satellite collar, we try to collar dispersing adults because we are given a GPS fixes with coordinates at specific programed times daily. In our case we have fixes coming in at 03:00, 09:00, and 14:00. Times are chosen because of the movement of the dogs. For example, at 09:00 the dogs are most likely done moving and will spend the rest of the day relaxing under a nice shady tree for the remainder of the day.
Without these collar our research would be very difficult it not impossible. This is only the beginning of this technology and it can only get smaller and more accurate in the future.
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