GPS Software Bringing Harmony to Nature

GPS tracking has become part of the everyday human experience for many people. These tracking software applications can be found in cell phones, laptops, cars, and pockets. GPS tracking devices can be found on children, the elderly, pets, and spouses with tracking capabilities to ensure their safety and keep them from becoming lost.  But GPS isn’t just for humans anymore. Tracking devices have become part of the everyday experience for many wild animals as well.

Scientists use GPS wildlife tracking technology to monitor the movements of animal groups or specific animals in order to learn more about their behavior patterns. Whales, birds, bears, and sea turtles have all been tracked this way and have provided science with valuable information that could not have been gained by any other method. Not only can scientists gather data about the progress of certain strains of disease such as avian flu which might affect humans, but they can also take measures to protect endangered species and help prevent man-caused deaths from decimating already tiny population numbers.

This spring, North American whooping cranes were equipped with GPS tracking devices so that their movements could be monitored over the course of their migration. The Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust hosted the project and hopes to learn more about the habits of the nearly extinct birds as well as what measures can be taken to ensure the survival of the species. Each bird’s GPS tracking device will send a signal pinpointing its location at six hour intervals. If there is no movement over a twenty-four hour period, scientists can set out to find the bird. With only 250 individual whooping cranes known to be alive in North America, scientists hope that they can discover new ways of encouraging the propagation of the species by finding out more about its habits through the GPS units.

Types of GPS tracking units used for wildlife monitoring vary, from collars worn around the neck or ankle to harnesses to direct attachment by gluing or taping. Most fall off during a molt or release automatically after a specified time period. Scientists must then retrieve them in order to collect the data they hold, although some units can broadcast information by means of mobile networks or radio frequencies.

As scientists strive to protect animals from extinction and to learn more about their behaviors in order to understand them better, GPS tracking has opened the door to enable humans to collect more in-depth and accurate data so that mankind can live in greater harmony with the living creatures who share the planet.

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