Experiences from the Boma-Gambella

Landscape (Ethiopia/South Sudan)

By Kasahun Abera

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CONTENTS

1. The concept of wildlife monitoring

2. How is it done?
3. Biotelemetry explained
4. Tracking devices
5. Our experiance – Satellite GPS collars
6. The results from wildlife tracking
7. Implications
8. Responses

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The concept of wildlife monitoring

 Wildlife Monitoring is a continuous recording of conditions of species and

their habitats to make adaptive management efforts effective,

 Hence, it forms a core component of any conservation management

project and,

 If integrated fully into the project management cycle and decision-making

process, wildlife monitoring can play three important roles,

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Wildlife monitoring can play three important roles…..

✓ Providing information on the status of wildlife populations,

✓ Evaluating the effectiveness of management actions relative to stated

objectives; and

✓Providing the important feedback loop for learning about which actions
lead to the success or failure of a particular conservation approach,

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Biotelemetry
 The detection of human or animal physiological functions from
a distance using a telemeter (transceiver)
 A Remote measurement of physiological, behavioral or energetic data
which involves monitoring a signal that originates from within the animal
that requires amplification (e.g. electrocardiogram) or measurement of a
binary activity, such as a tail beat or wing beat.

 A broader definition of biotelemetry can also include measurements of

activity that are more relevant to behavior (e.g. chewing, audio) or
measurements of environmental conditions that are relevant to organismal
physiology (e.g. body temperature).

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Tracking

 Biotelemetry also implies simple locational or positional telemetry often

referred to as ‘tracking’.

 The most basic type of telemetry that involves determining where an

animal is located spatially (sometimes referred to as locational or positional
telemetry).

 A process whereby conservationists can remotely observe relatively fine-

scale movement or migratory patterns in a free-ranging wild animal using the
Global Positioning System and optional environmental sensors or automated
data-retrieval technologies.

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Tracking

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 Tracking devices
VHF COLLARS GPS / GSM COLLARS GPS SATELLITE COLLARS

Collar send GPS locations via GSM

The monitor searches for the radio
Method of
signal from the collar, then records, a
Locating the
location on a handheld GPS.
Collar
More time consuming in field work.
Collar sends its location data to
mobile phone coverage, or remotely,
monitor by e-mail. Visual mapping
downloaded with a handheld UHF device.
data available via Google Earth.
Visual mapping data, available via, Google
Less field time required.
Earth.

Position of animal is recorded to

As a visual sighting, data is collected
on home range, habitat usage, animal
Data Acquired
behavior, population demographics
and diet.
Position of animal is recorded to determine
determine home range and habitat,
home range and habitat, use, however no
use, Ideal to use in inaccessible
behavioral data is recorded, unless it has a
areas. However no behavioral data,
VHF, attachment.
is recorded.

If fitted with a VHF attachment a faster

radio pulse will be, transmitted, if animal
Monitor discovers a faster radio pulse has not moved for more than 4 hours. Collar sends an email (mortality
Mortality
if animal has not moved for more than Alternatively, GPS, position is a static alert) that the collar is stationary.
Sensor
4 hours. point.

Lifetime of 2 years 2 years

3 years
Batteries
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Tracking Devices

 VHF COLLARS

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Tracking Devices

 GPS / GSM COLLARS

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Tracking Devices
 GPS SATELLITE COLLARS

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 Our experience – Satellite GPS collars
No. Species Collars
White Eard
1 63
Kob
2 Nile Lechwe 6
3 Elephant 8
4 Giraffe 3
5 Buffalo 10
6 Roan 6
7 Tiang 6
8 Hartebeest 4
9 Lion 1
10 Total 107

Sending 4 to 6 GPS
location fixes per
collar per day for two
years
page 12
The objectives..

 To map the movement and migration patterns

 To identify core areas and corridors

 To understand the conflicts between wildlife

and human activities

 To designate appropriate protected areas

system

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Results - The movement patterns
Buffallo Giraffe
Resident Sps:
Roan Antelopes
Tiang
Lelwel Hartebeest
Nile Lchwe
Buffalo
Giraffe
Lion

Migratory Sps:
Elephants
White Eared Kob

Elephant
White eared kob
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Results – White Eared Kob
White eared
kobs have
the largest
and longest
home range
in the
landscape

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Results – Elephants
Elephants
use a
narrow
stretch of
resource
areas
along the
ETH-SS
boarder

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Results – Roan antelopes
Roan has
patches of
habitats
spread
across the
landscape

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Results – Nile Lechwe
Highly
fragmented
home Range
of Nile
Lechwe
(confined a 50
sq.km
wetland area)

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Implications
▪ The existing PA system is not safeguarding
important corridors and migration routes
▪ Conservation strategies that are beyond political
boundaries – TFCA
▪ Important wildlife core areas overlap major
commercial agricultural consessions

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 ▪ Triggered an Integrated Land Use
Planning (ILDP)

▪ A basis for TBNRM discussions

▪ Network of protected areas systems

proposed and properly considered in
the ILDP

▪ Both federal and regional governments

become cautious about impacts of
agricultural investments of biodiversity
and willing to take measures whenever
necessary

▪ Triggered government to initiate a land

use planning policy

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