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Journal Publications
Gau R.J., Mulders R., Ciarniello L.M., Heard D.C., Chetkiewicz C.L.B., Boyce
M., Munro R., Stenhouse G., Chruszcz B., Gibeau M.L., Milakovic B. and
Parker K.L. 2004
Uncontrolled field performance of Televilt GPS-Simplex™ collars on grizzly
bears in western and northern Canada
Wildlife Society Bulletin 2004, 32(3):693–701
(PDF=177 KB)
Abstract
Commercially available telemetry
collars for wildlife that employ Global Positioning System (GPS) devices
generally have the ability to gather a large volume of precise location
data. We appraised the performance of 12-channel Televilt GPS-Simplex™
collars (Televilt/TVP Positioning AB, Lindesberg, Sweden) deployed across
western and northern Canada on grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). Of 71 collar
deployments between 2000 and 2002, 38 were retrieved and performed according
to their programmed schedule, 20 were retrieved and had some degree of
failure, and 13 experienced catastrophic failures and were not retrieved. In
addition to these deployments, 10 collars failed predeployment. GPS collar
fix success rates were greater for the retrieved collars from the Northwest
Territories than for the 4 study areas in British Columbia and Alberta
(F4,50= 10.82, P<0.001); thus, the latter areas were grouped for further
analyses. Collar fix success rates in the British Columbia and Alberta study
areas differed between the retrieved collars that functioned normally (x=65%, SE=2.3, n=28) and collars retrieved with failure events (x =56%,
SE=4.3, n=17; t43=2.09, P=0.043). Fix success rates were lower the longer
collars were in the field (rs=-0.35, n=45, P=0.020). Locations from the GPS
collars had a mean dilution of precision of <4 for 2D and 3D locations and
thus had a good degree of precision. We were satisfied with the volume and
quality of the location data; however, we advise other researchers that
significant time and money may be lost
troubleshooting problems with the Televilt Simplex system. Other
recommendations for future and current users are considered.
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