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 Radio-telemetry is one of the more widely used tools for investigation of animal movements, home range size, habitat use, and survival. It involves the use of a radio transmitting device to be located on a subject animal (or item to be tracked) and using a discriminating receiver, to detect and locate the animal on a periodic basis.
Aircraft can be a cost effective tool when gathering this data, especially in areas that do not have motor-vehicle access or involve large search areas or uneven terrain. Most transmitters use UHF and VHF frequencies that are limited to line-of-sight ranges making aircraft invaluable in acquiring radio signals.
 Recent evolution in technology allows for the uploading of data from GPS-based units attached to the animal radio-transmitting collars. Although somewhat limited to larger animals due to the size of the current units, there has been a significant increased the volume and usefulness of data collected in wildlife research. It has, however, placed an increasing burden on both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft operators to effectively and safely to acquire the data, in part due to the limitations of transmitter output vs. battery life.
Wildlife Air has several aircraft suited to the rigors of this type of flying. Combined with highly trained and qualified pilots, these aircraft can achieve a high level of mission success in most environments including the difficult terrain encountered in the Canadian Rockies.
Although aerial telemetry is not rocket science, there are techniques that will ensure fast, safe, comfortable and efficient data acquisition. Over the past few years, there have been too many accidents causing serious injury and death to pilots and biologists who were operating aircraft in an environment that the pilot or aircraft type were not suited. Please see our list of FAQs for more information on selecting the best aircraft and air operator qualifications for your project.
 If your organization is contemplating a research project, please feel free to contact us for information regarding suitable telemetry equipment, aircraft and methodology. If we are unable to provide services in the proposed area of operation we can make recommendation for qualified air operators that have a proven culture of safety management along with the knowledge of the specific mission requirements.
Alternatively, we can provide training and/or a safety and capability assessment of the air operator in your area.
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Radio-telemetry is one of the more widely used tools for investigation of animal movements, home range size, habitat use, and survival. It involves the use of a radio transmitting device to be located on a subject animal (or item to be tracked) and using a discriminating receiver, to detect and locate the animal on a periodic basis.
Aircraft can be a cost effective tool when gathering this data, especially in areas that do not have motor-vehicle access or involve large search areas or uneven terrain. Most transmitters use UHF and VHF frequencies that are limited to line-of-sight ranges making aircraft invaluable in acquiring radio signals.
Recent evolution in technology allows for the uploading of data from GPS-based units attached to the animal radio-transmitting collars. Although somewhat limited to larger animals due to the size of the current units, there has been a significant increased the volume and usefulness of data collected in wildlife research. It has, however, placed an increasing burden on both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft operators to effectively and safely to acquire the data, in part due to the limitations of transmitter output vs. battery life.
Wildlife Air has several aircraft suited to the rigors of this type of flying. Combined with highly trained and qualified pilots, these aircraft can achieve a high level of mission success in most environments including the difficult terrain encountered in the Canadian Rockies.
Although aerial telemetry is not rocket science, there are techniques that will ensure fast, safe, comfortable and efficient data acquisition. Over the past few years, there have been too many accidents causing serious injury and death to pilots and biologists who were operating aircraft in an environment that the pilot or aircraft type were not suited. Please see our list of FAQs for more information on selecting the best aircraft and air operator qualifications for your project.
If your organization is contemplating a research project, please feel free to contact us for information regarding suitable telemetry equipment, aircraft and methodology. If we are unable to provide services in the proposed area of operation we can make recommendation for qualified air operators that have a proven culture of safety management along with the knowledge of the specific mission requirements.
Alternatively, we can provide training and/or a safety and capability assessment of the air operator in your area.