Evaluation of a degradable time-release mechanism for telemetry collars
Samuel Thalmann
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Wildlife Management Branch, 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tas. 5054, Australia. Email: sam.thalmann@dpipwe.tas.gov.au
Australian Mammalogy 35(2) 241-244 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM12041
Submitted: 28 August 2012 Accepted: 10 January 2013 Published: 17 April 2013
Abstract
The development of techniques to minimise impact on study animals is essential to alleviate animal welfare concerns. Reducing the potentially negative impacts from the attachment of telemetry devices is a key consideration in this area. The corrosive effect when copper, magnesium alloy and brass are connected through water acting as an electrolyte oxidises the magnesium alloy. I tested a range of magnesium washers as part of a light-weight, time-programmable, time-release mechanism fitted to telemetry collars to ensure that devices do not remain on indefinitely. Six of the eight washers in the trial corroded and released the collar between 71 and 191 days. This mechanism has potential application to a wide variety of mammals and telemetry research projects.
References
Afanasyev, V. (2004). A miniature daylight level and activity data recorder for tracking animals over long periods. National Institute Polar Research Special Issue 58, 227–233.Arnould, J., and Hindell, M. (2001). Dive behaviour, foraging locations and maternal attendance patterns in Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus). Canadian Journal of Zoology 79, 35–48.
Casper, R. (2009). Guidelines for the instrumentation of wild birds and mammals. Animal Behaviour 78, 1477–1483.
| Guidelines for the instrumentation of wild birds and mammals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cawthen, L., and Munks, S. (2011). The design and testing of linen thread weak-links in brushtail possum radio-collars. Australian Mammalogy 33, 33–35.
| The design and testing of linen thread weak-links in brushtail possum radio-collars.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Department of Primary Industries Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) (2010). Recovery plan for the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart.
Gust, N., and Handasyde, K. (1995). Seasonal variation in the ranging behaviour of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) on the Goulburn River, Victoria. Australian Journal of Zoology 43, 193–208.
| Seasonal variation in the ranging behaviour of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) on the Goulburn River, Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hamede, R. K., Bashford, J., McCallum, H. I., and Jones, M. E. (2009). Contact networks in a wild Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) population: using social network analysis to reveal seasonal variability in social behaviour and its implications for transmission of devil facial tumour disease. Ecology Letters 12, 1147–1157.
| Contact networks in a wild Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) population: using social network analysis to reveal seasonal variability in social behaviour and its implications for transmission of devil facial tumour disease.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19694783PubMed |
Jouventin, P., and Weimerskirch, H. (1990). Satellite tracking of wandering albatrosses. Nature 343, 746–748.
| Satellite tracking of wandering albatrosses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kowalczyk, R., Zalewski, A., and Jèdrzejewska, B. (2006). Daily movement and territory use by badgers Meles meles in Primeval Forest, Poland. Wildlife Biology 12, 385–391.
| Daily movement and territory use by badgers Meles meles in Primeval Forest, Poland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lu, P., and Srinivasan, S. (1979). Advances in water electrolysis technology with emphasis on use of the solid polymer electrolyte. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry 9, 269–283.
| Advances in water electrolysis technology with emphasis on use of the solid polymer electrolyte.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1MXksVKhs7k%3D&md5=343bacf58692863602dafc4bb2fd51d5CAS |
McCallum, H., Tompkins, D., Jones, M., Lachish, S., Marvanek, S., Lazenby, B., Hocking, G., Weirsma, J., and Hawkins, C. (2007). Distribution and impacts of Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease. EcoHealth 4, 318–325.
| Distribution and impacts of Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mech, L. D., Kuechle, V. B., Warner, D. W., and Tester, J. R. (1965). A collar for attaching radio transmitters to rabbits, hares, and raccoons. Journal of Wildlife Management 29, 898–902.
| A collar for attaching radio transmitters to rabbits, hares, and raccoons.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moseby, K. E., and O’Donnell, E. O. (2003). Reintroduction of the greater bilby, Macrotis lagotis (Ried) (Marsupialia: Thylacomyidae), to northern South Australia: survival, ecology and notes on reintroduction protocols. Wildlife Research 30, 15–27.
| Reintroduction of the greater bilby, Macrotis lagotis (Ried) (Marsupialia: Thylacomyidae), to northern South Australia: survival, ecology and notes on reintroduction protocols.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pemberton, D. (1990). Social organisation and behaviour of the Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Tasmania.
Robertson, C. P. J., and Harris, S. (1996). An expandable, detachable radio-collar for juvenile red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Journal of Zoology 239, 382–387.
| An expandable, detachable radio-collar for juvenile red foxes (Vulpes vulpes).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Soderquist, T. R. (1993). An expanding break-away radio-collar for small mammals. Wildlife Research 20, 383–386.
| An expanding break-away radio-collar for small mammals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vashon, J. H., Vaughan, M. R., Vashon, A. D., Martin, D. D., and Echols, K. N. (2003). An expandable radiocollar for black bear cubs. Wildlife Society Bulletin 31, 380–386.
Warnecke, L., Körtner, G., Burwell, C., Turner, J., and Geiser, F. (2012). Short-term movement patterns and diet of small dasyurid marsupials in semi-arid Australia. Australian Mammalogy 34, 49–54.
| Short-term movement patterns and diet of small dasyurid marsupials in semi-arid Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilson, R. P., and McMahon, C. R. (2006). Measuring devices on wild animals: what constitutes acceptable practice? Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 4, 147–154.
| Measuring devices on wild animals: what constitutes acceptable practice?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
