Croc conservation Flashcards
how many species of crocodilians are considered threatened?
10 out of the 23 species
what are the threats to crocodilian conservation?
>habitat loss/fragmentation >pollution >exploitation - hunting - illegal egg harvesting > eradication (to reduce human-crocodile conflict) >introduction of exotic animals (pigs, cane toads) > fishing by-catches (sets nets, hooks)
What is biotelemetry?
remote monitoring of wildlife
what are the available methods of biotelemetry of crocodiles?
> radio (VHF)
> satellite/GPS
> acoustic (ultrasonic - underwater)
> archival tags/Data-loggers
What are archival tags/Data-loggers?
Known as archival or data storage tags, these instruments are placed in or on fish and act like tiny computers, constantly sensing and recording the environmental conditions that they travel through. Incredibly, the tags can take new readings as frequently as every 4 seconds if desired. Despite their small size, Lotek archival tags have batteries and memories with enough capacity to collect data for several years. They are also constructed to ensure reliable operation at depths of up to 2000 meters and temperatures as low as -5° C.
what are acoustic transmitters?
Acoustic biotelemetry is generally used to monitor those creatures living or moving in deep water or salt water habitats. Lotek offers acoustic systems to track a wide variety of marine inhabitants, such as salmon, trout, plaice, cod, crabs, sea turtles, and many others.
-For these reasons, acoustic signals are the preferred communication tool for researchers who wish to track fish and wildlife in marine habitats in real time.
what is satellite/GPS?
- GPS, Argos and Iridium systems are used to track animals such as coyotes, wolves, caribou, sheep, cattle, mountain lions, bears, moose, deer and cougars, as well as sea turtles, marine mammals and birds. Recently, Lotek has also added GPS locator capabilities to other products, such as our SRX 600 receivers.
what is Radio (VHF)?
-excellent type of signal to use when tracking animals, can transmit information rapidly and for long distances in air. Radio signals can also be made to transmit effectively in fresh water, but not through salt water.
what type of telemetry is used to track crocodiles?
Satellite tracking
- to monitor the large scale movements of crocodiles using satellite telemetry.