Satellites for Research on Free-Roaming Animals

Abstract

Tracking free-roaming animals by satellite while simultaneously monitoring physiological and environmental parameters provides an important new technology for biological studies of animals. A worldwide capability in satellite radiotelemetry of animals in natural environments would enable biologists to delve more deeply into such phenomena as patterns of migration, orientation and navigation, the physiology of migration, the social use of space, and the vegetational relationships of large ungulates, knowledge of which is increasingly important at this critical period in the evolution of the world ecosystem.