GPS Devices Used To Protect Great Grey Owl Habitats

Craighead Beringia South biologist in Jackson Hole, Wyoming are among the first in the world to tracking owls with GPS technology. Owls and other nocturnal creatures haven’t been tracked with GPS devices as much as sunlight-loving wildlife. This is mainly due to many GPS trackers having to rely on solar power. So far this summer, the team has attached GPS tracking packs to six great grey owls in the area. By tracking the nocturnal birds of prey, they hope to locate nests for protection from logging plans.  

“We found very few owls,” said Bryan Bedrosian, who spend the winter searching the mountains between Grand Teton National Park and Snake River. “There just isn’t that many nests.” The biologists are in a particular rush to locate as many owl nests as possible. Plans to reduce wildfires in the area require thinning the natural habitats of these owls. The logging plans are part of an effort to protect private homes and other property in the area. Recognizing the need to protect owl homes as well, the Forest Service has pledged to establish a buffer around any great grey owl nests.  

“We’re right at the edge of what technology can do for owls,” Bedrosian said.  After an owl is captured, it is weighed, measured and blood samples are taken. Then it is tagged and attached to a GPS tracking pack, which is about three percent of the bird’s body weight. The team then receives data about the owl’s location ever eight hours.

The research is being funded by a state of Wyoming wildlife grant, Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole and Ecotour Adventures. The team is lead by biologist Susan Patla, from the Wyoming Game and FIsh Department, and Kerry Murphy, with the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Efforts will continue to protect great grey owl habitats.

GPS Devices Used To Protect Great Grey Owl Habitats

Australian Study Notes Limitations Of Wildlife GPS Tracking

We’ve reported dozens of stories about wildlife GPS tracking at RMT. GPS technology has really opened up a lot of doors for wildlife observation opportunities. Instead of looking for animal tracks and feces, and/or observing the animals physically, researchers can attach a GPS collar to any creature, from turtles to bears and even birds and monitor their movements remotely. A team of researchers in Australia have combed through various wildlife studies using GPS devices and determined different ways in which the design or technology is limited.

The team recognizes how valuable GPS technology is to biologists and other wildlife researchers. “Once put on an animal, and all of the data collected for you — collars can be scheduled to collect information at a really intensive rate,” said Alison Matthews, lead author of the study. “What this means is you can retrieve an abundance of data about where the animal is moving, which is superior to what we’ve ever been able to do in the past using other tracking methods.”

“The information — looking at habitat selection, and a while range of biological factors — can then be analyzed,” Matthews explains. The study was not undertaken to rip GPS technology apart. Rather, the data collect will hopefully be used to improve the design of tracking collars, and help future wildlife researchers get the best possible results.  

The research paper states, “Data were collated on the species and locations of collar deployments, habitat types, collar types and manufacturers, the reliability of GPS components, VHF components and timed-release devices, statistics on GPS performance, costs, and animal welfare.”

“Pooling all of the data from all of the studies, we were able to identify a number of common problems with the technology, which enables us to give some recommendations to researchers about what to do to overcome those issues,” Matthews added.

Australian Study Notes Limitations Of Wildlife GPS Tracking

GPS Apps Popular Among Amateur Golfers

Golf is a very challenging sport. Although it doesn’t come with the same energy as, say, basketball, football or hockey, men and women spend decades improving their game. This explains the popularity of golf apps. Some GPS device manufacturers, such as Garmin, offer wearable GPS technology dedicated to providing golf statistics and improving your game. However, the more popular option are golf apps which can be downloaded on a smartphone and use the built-in GPS technology of the phone.  

Amateur golfers have been downloading these apps left and right, but you won’t find any in a professional golf tournament, other than in the hands of spectators. This is because GPS apps aren’t allowed in pro tournaments. Pros use their caddies for statistics and advice. “I’m a player who believes in the dialogue I have with my caddie, to confer and ultimately provide reinforcement to commit and trust each shot,” wrote pro golfer Zach Johnson in an interview with FORBES. “Damon and I have become so comfortable over nine years and developed routines that I wouldn’t want to lose that.” However, when Johnson doesn’t have his caddie by his side, he uses GolfLogix, which was recently the top rated free sports app in Apple’s App Store.

Since 2003, the PGA Tour provides pro golfers’ advanced statistics through a program called ShotLink. Johnson, like many pros, waits to review his statistics until the end of the year. “Otherwise, it can be too much to understand and utilize and turn into a negative if we can’t distill it into something we can use to improve,” he explains. Still, for amateurs, the stakes are not as high and immediate feedback can be very useful. Amateur golfers don’t have a caddie with years of experience to lean on, but they might just have the next best thing. In fact, in some ways, the golf apps can give amateurs an edge over pros.

GPS Apps Popular Among Amateur Golfers

Wandering-Prone Population Tracked With GPS Technology In U.K.

In Surrey County, loved ones and care takers of people with dementia, learning disabilities or other issues that cause wandering and confusion can rest a little easier. People with a tendency to get confused and wander off are given a pocket-sized GPS tracking device to carry with them at all times. These devices are provided for the safety of those who tend to get lost and can’t find their way back home.

People with learning disabilities or diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s are especially vulnerable members of society. They usually are limited in their ability to care for themselves and rely on loved ones and/or paid help. Even with help, all too often, these vulnerable people can slip away unnoticed and cause a real panic. The concern is that the person will not be able to find his or her way home, get hurt or dehydrated wandering the streets.

GPS tracking devices can ensure that loved ones and care takers are able to find the wanderer and help him or her back home to safety. The caretakers can establish a parameter, or geofence, and be notified if the GPS device is detected outside the boundaries. The device can also be programmed to notify caretakers if the wearer is detected going above a certain speed. This capability can show if the person got in a car, train or bus without the caretaker’s knowledge.  

“We’re already testing a tracker watch to help keep vulnerable people safe and this pocket-sized device will give relatives reassurance that people with dementia or learning difficulties don’t end up lost because they got into a confused state and took a trip on a train or bus,” explained Mel Few, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care.

Wandering-Prone Population Tracked With GPS Technology In U.K.

GPS Tracking Helps South Sudan's Elephant Conservation Efforts

Researchers and experts with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and South Sudan’s Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism (MWCT) are doing everything in their power to protect the few remaining elephants in the region. In the 1960s and 70s, there was an estimated 80,000 elephants in South Sudan. Today, there are fewer than 5,000. The severe drop in population is mostly due to civil war that has plagued the country for decades and a recent increase in poaching. The team is using GPS technology, aerial surveillance and land surveillance to track the elephants and deter poaching.

“I salute the efforts and bravery of the Government of South Sudan’s wildlife personnel and WCS staff who are working to protect wildlife and manage protected areas in these remote zones,” said Dr. Christian Samper, CEO and president of WCS. “The recent expansion of the South Sudan elephant monitoring and protection program is evidence of the serious measures and commitment needed to help secure the country’s protected areas and wildlife for the benefit of the people and new nation.”

“The elephant collaring is critical to improving our understand of the location and movements of South Sudan’s elephants and providing effective protection. Real-time location data from the collared elephants, combined with aerial surveillance, intelligence-led enforcement, and terrestrial patrolling, will enable the MWCT and WCS to watch over the safety of the elephant groups, detect poaching threats, target anti-poaching operations to arrest poachers and traffickers, and secure the elephants,” explained Dr. Paul Elkan, WCS’s South Sudan Country Director.

“The presence of these elephants breathes life and value into our national parks,” explained the Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, Gabriel Changson Chang. “We must do everything in our means to protect these magnificent creatures. It is our wildlife that will be the basis for developing tourism that will attract visitors from all over the world to South Sudan.” 

USAID South Sudan’s Chief of the Office of Transition and Conflict Mitigation, Monica Moore, said, “Monitoring and protection of the elephant populations is essential for conservation and directly contributes to improving governance and security in remote areas of the country. The involvement of armed groups in ivory poaching, trafficking, and local conflicts in and around protected areas is well documented in Africa. USAID’s support to the MWCT and WCS efforts in South Sudan combines conservation and conflict reduction objectives to help improve security for both people and wildlife, which securing the foundation for development of the new country.”

GPS Tracking Helps South Sudan's Elephant Conservation Efforts

GPS Tracking Popular For Parents Of Teen Drivers

For most parents, teen driving is a stressful concept. Of course, most parents want to encourage their children to grow into competent adults and recognize that learning to drive is an important part of this process. Still, the road is a dangerous place for inexperienced youngsters who tend to be over-confident in their own driving abilities. Parents worry about drunk driving, texting while driving, distracting passengers, not to mention the hazards other drivers bring to the road. Some of these anxious parents have turned to GPS technology to help quell some of their concerns.

Although many teens might resist the idea of being tracked by their parents via satellite technology, it’s becoming less and less avoidable. If a teen wants a smartphone (and who doesn’t these days?), he or she knows it comes with GPS tracking capabilities ready to be exploited by worried parents. If a teen wants to drive and access more independence, he or she is probably willing to sacrifice a little privacy in exchange for the keys. 

Tracking teen drivers with a GPS device not only gives parents peace of mind, having access to their child’s exact location at all times, but also creates a little more awareness on the part of the teen driver. Before GPS, teens could get away with speeding and other reckless driving behavior as long as a cop wasn’t in sight. With GPS, however, parents can be notified if the GPS device is detected going above a certain speed. When above the established speed limit, a text message is automatically sent to the parent’s cell phone.

Many teens are quick to dismiss the concerns of their parents, but teen driving is a very serious and dangerous activity. Automobile accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S., ages 13 to 19. Boys account for two-thirds of driving accident victims, and 16-year-olds are twice as likely to be in an accident than 18 and 19-year-old drivers.

GPS Tracking Popular For Parents Of Teen Drivers

Home Health Care Visits Verified With GPS Technology

Here at RMT, we’ve published many articles about the usefulness of GPS tracking when it comes to business. Delivery services track their shipments and employers sometimes track their employees to make sure everything and everyone is where they’re being paid to be. One of the latest industries to benefit from GPS technology is the home health care industry. In order to combat health care fraud and to make transactions and services more transparent, some health care agencies have turned to this versatile technology. 

The program is called VisitVerify and was developed by Kinnser Software, based in Austin, Texas. VisitVerify can be purchased as an add-on to Kinnser’s medical records system, which is used by around 12 percent of the home health care market. Optimal is one of the first nationwide health care firms to use the software. “There’s just so much health care fraud out there right now, and one of the most common kinds is where patients are billed for services they never receive,” explained Sharon Blattert, a nurse practitioner for Optimal Care.

The GPS location tracking confirms that the nurses and other health care professionals are where they’re supposed to be, and the software keeps a record of the services received and the patient’s confirmation. The software is compatible with any device that has touch-screen capabilities. “The thing that’s different [about VisitVerify] is that the signature screen is built into the software that clinician takes to the patient’s home,” Chip Scheider said, Kinnser’s creative director. “They’re filling out the information using a computer device, and they’re able to click on an icon that opens a signature screen. The patient can use either their finger or a stylus [electronic pen] to sign.”

“We did research on different software and this one really fit us well,” said Karen Bartz, director of strategic planning at Optimal Care. “If you want to know what was done, the information is right there. And now we have e-signature, so the consent is done right on our iPad and it goes directly to Medicare.”

Home Health Care Visits Verified With GPS Technology

New Zealand Wants GPS Data For Emergency Calls

A man was struck and killed by a van after calling 111 (New Zealand’s equivalent of 911 in the U.S.) for help. He reportedly was walking home from a party after a fight with his girlfriend. Toxicology reports showed his alcohol level was twice the legal limit when he was jumping in and out of traffic, apparently trying to get a ride home.

When the 111 dispatcher received the call from the man at 1:28am, informing them that he was stepping out in front of cars, they were unable to ascertain his location before the call was ended. The operator attempted to call the man back before asking Telecom to trace the call. Telecom was able to trace his location to the nearest cell phone tower, about 12 km away.

Police reached the man’s location in time to witness him being struck by a passing van. He was identified as 27-year-old Jason Patrick Roach and died in the hospital of blunt force trauma to the head. The coroner’s office recommended that 111 operators have access to the location date provided by the GPS technology built-in to most modern cell phones. 

Roach’s grieving mother agreed with the coroner’s recommendation. It wouldn’t have saved her son, because his cellphone didn’t have GPS. “But at least it would have put police in the right direction – anything that could save people in the future,” she said. “Things have never been the same since. You just don’t want it to happen to other people unnecessarily.”

Although there are privacy and other practical issues to consider, police are open to the idea of using the GPS tracking technology in smartphones to locate emergencies. “If this information source was available on request it would greatly assist and improve emergency services’ (police, fire and ambulance) response ensuring such callers received effective assistance promptly,” police said.

New Zealand Wants GPS Data For Emergency Calls

DNR Limits Number Of GPS Trackers Used In Lynn Rogers' Bear Research

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Lynn Rogers have been at odds for years. Lynn Rogers’ bear research is followed around the world, but isn’t very popular with officials at the DNR. Their major complaint is that Rogers feeds the bears he studies by hand, creating bears that are less fearful of humans. As a result, the DNR has received reports of campers and hikers encountering more bears, which could be dangerous for bears and humans alike.  

When the DNR renewed Rogers’ wildlife research permit in December, the number of GPS tracking collars allowed was reduced from 15 to 12. Instead of a year-long permit like the years before, this permit will expire in July. The DNR stated that it is not satisfied with the output of research papers produced from the GPS tracking data. “We don’t feel he needs that many bears with radio collars on,” explained DNR wildlife research manager Lou Cornicelli. “With the length of time the permit’s been out there, there should be some science coming out of this.” 

Lynn Rogers claims that there is plenty of useful data coming from his research. He’s published three peer-reviewed studies in the last six years studying the Minnesota bear population. In addition to tracking wild bears with GPS technology, Rogers planted cameras in bear dens for the first time since bears have been studied. “We’ve gotten into things that nobody has done before, like the stuff with the den cams, that half of their life is the least studied area of bear biology,” Rogers said. “We’re getting it; it’s groundbreaking research.”

Unfortunately, the DNR of Minnesota argues that the research he’s speaking of is not based on recent data. If he can’t keep up with the DNR’s demands, Rogers’ research may be cut short. Rogers publishes his bear den videos online for the public to enjoy. His videos have a worldwide following.

DNR Limits Number Of GPS Trackers Used In Lynn Rogers' Bear Research

Wolf Tracking Improved: Sound Analysis Reveals Wolves Have Unique Howls

We’ve reported a number of stories of how GPS technology aids wildlife researchers. Specifically, how researchers use GPS tracking collars to monitor wildlife in their natural habitats. We’ve published a few stories specifically about wolf tracking, but none like this. As technology improves, researchers develop new ways to monitor wolf populations.

If you’re reading this blog, then you’re likely familiar with wildlife GPS tracking. Wolves, or other wildlife being studied, are carefully captured, examined and fitted with a GPS collar. From a distance, researchers can study the movements and habits of the wolves this way. Another less popular, but cost effective method is to wait for snowfall and physically count tracks left by wolves. The major downside to this type of wolf tracking is that it is weather dependent.

“Another method researchers use is to go into the wild and howl at the wolves, then record their replies,”  explained Holly Root-Gutteridge from Nottingham Trent University, developer of the sound analysis code. “While this method is definitely the most fun, the results formerly had big error margins, as it was impossible to tell whether you were hearing the same wolf on different nights.”

The sound analysis code is able to individuate wolves based on the pitch and volume of their howl. Wolves howl for a variety of survival and recreational reasons. “Wolves use howling as a territorial defense, to help locate other pack members, and also as a social activity: they seem to really enjoy it,” she added.  

Although most wolf populations are recovering from endangerment, Gray, Red, Maned and Ethiopian wolves are still officially endangered species. “For Ethiopia wolves, which are subject to pressures like rabies and habitat loss, it is critical to keep track of population sizes,” said Lucy Tallents, Ethiopian wolf expert. “The best way of doing this is to count individuals.” 

“Acoustic sensing is becoming much more popular in conservation, and it’s easy to see why,” Tallents explained. “Being able to identify individuals aurally would be really useful to us and cause much less disturbance to the wolves themselves.” One of the reasons acoustic sensing is preferred is that it can be done from a distance and no interference with the animal, like capturing, is required. The major downside is that it’s not very effective in counting individual wolves.  

“We can only ever detect a minimum number of wolves in a pack: if they’re not howling, we won’t know they’re there,” Root-Gutteridge said. “But the real revelation here is that we can now identify individual wolves.” Time will tell how this technology develops and contributes to wildlife conservation efforts. “Although the research hasn’t been released yet, I have successfully used the method on other wolf subspecies and other canids,” she added. “Whether it’s wild dogs or coyotes; if it howls, we can analyze it.”

Wolf Tracking Improved: Sound Analysis Reveals Wolves Have Unique Howls

Osprey Make Comeback In Michigan, Tracked With GPS Devices

In the 1950s and 60s, the majestic osprey bird was nearly nonexistent in southeast Michigan. Mostly due to chemical pesticides and DDT, these birds of prey were almost killed off entirely. However, in 1998, Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources, along with the Osprey Watch of Southeast Michigan, started a program to reintroduce and protect these birds in the area.

“We brought young birds from other parts of the state here, and fed them and raised them, and released them out in the parks,” Holly Vaughn said, a DNR wildlife outreach technician. Now that the population is thriving a little bit, some of the birds are being monitored with GPS tracking bands. “We put those on just to see where exactly our males are going, to track their movements. The band data is a little harder to get a hold of because the band can usually only be read from a distance with a high-powered scope, and they’re really hard to read.” 

The tracking devices are funded by DTE Energy and American Tower, because osprey have a habit of building nests on top of cell phone towers, which cause power outages and sometimes fires. The latest osprey to receive a GPS tracker is a baby bird, named Jason Jr.. “It went great; it was perfect weather for banding. The bird wasn’t under any stress, DTE was there with their bucket truck, which made it convenient. They brought the chick down, and we banded it within a few minutes,” explained Julie Oakes, a DNR wildlife biologist.

“What made this one special was that it was in a nest that DTE had moved. … The ospreys originally built a nest on top of a utility pole on private property. IT was confirmed that this could cause power outages or fire. When the bucket truck moved the nest from its original location, there was charring underneath,” Randi Berris explained, spokesperson for DTE. Jason Jr.’s parents watched the entire banding ordeal while circling above the team. When the baby bird was returned to his nest, the parent birds greeted him with a fish.

Osprey Make Comeback In Michigan, Tracked With GPS Devices

Vibrating GPS Navigation In Development

GPS technology has come a long way in the last five years or so. GPS navigation systems in our vehicles help us get turn by turn directions. GPS tracking devices have helped solve crimes and return stolen valuables. One of the limitations of this technology, however, is that directions are provided audibly and via video display. Obviously this causes problems for the hearing and vision impaired population, but also has been criticized as a dangerous distraction for drivers. 

Researchers are in the process of designing and testing tactile GPS displays, which can be worn. The GPS navigation provides directions through vibrations in tiny, disc-like motors used in cell phones. The skin is capable of sensing directions, and researchers are working on designing the most intuitive vibrating directions as possible.

“If you compare the skin to the retina, you have about the same number of sensory receptors, you just have them over almost two square meters of space, unlike the eye, where it’s all concentrated in an extremely small area,” Lynette Jones explains, designer of the wearable tactile displays and a senior research scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “The skin is generally as useful in a very acute area. It’s just that you need to disperse the information that you’re presenting.”

Currently, the tactile GPS navigation devices can be worn on the back or around the wrist. Vibrations moving from left to right might indicate a right turn is needed, while a single vibration with increasing intensity might be telling the wearer to slow down. “There’s a lot of things you can do with these displays that are fairly intuitive in terms of how people respond,” says Jones, “which is important because no one’s going to spend hours and hours in any application, learning what a signal means.”

Not only can these devices be used by the vision and hearing impaired, it can also be used by firefighters navigating a smokey, dark building. These devices may also be appealing during activities when checking your GPS display screen is inconvenient, like driving or running.

Vibrating GPS Navigation In Development

Saskatoon, Canada: Looking Into GPS Monitoring Of City Staff

If certain officials have their way, Saskatoon city staff may soon be monitored by GPS devices while on the clock using the devices the city already provides, like cell phones, water meter tools, and radios. All that is stopping them currently: there is no policy in place regarding the use of GPS tracking.

Human resources consultant for the city Gordon Bothner sees the value in many possible uses, discussing them in a meeting with city officials in an executive committee meeting. “It could be time theft, where…there’s been some sort of indication where productivity hasn’t taken place.”

He also points to GPS technology as a way to keep employees safe, referencing a recent case where accusations of taking people on “starlight tours” were made against the Saskatoon City Police. Starlight tours are described as residents being taken to city outskirts by police and left there. These allegations were proven false thanks to data collected by GPS data gathered by the GPS tracking device installed in city cruisers.

Bothner also sees GPS technology pointing out inefficiencies by tracking the time it takes employees to complete a job. However, he knows that there needs to be a policy in place prior to implementation. “The crux of the policy is, if we’re going to use the monitoring capability…we need a policy to guide the use of that information.”

Councilor Martin Ring is wary of the technology. “It certainly brings to light ‘big brother’s watching us.” Councilor Rick Orr added, “Big brother is watching us, and it’s the taxpayer.”

Orr does see the value in GPS monitoring, especially with recent taxpayer request to look into inefficiencies. “We know that (city staff is) doing a heck of a good job…this just gives us a tool to let the taxpayer know what’s going on.”

Mayor Greg Dionne agrees, especially after recent allegations from the public of city employees taking longer than the allotted 15 minute break, vehicles parked outside of Tim Horton’s. He said using the GPS devices in this way is “a valid use of the equipment, and it’s just no different than a radar gun…No one ever fears a radar gun, unless you’re a speeder. And then, if you’re a speeder you’ve got to look out for a radar gun. It’s no different than GPS.”

So far, no one is against the idea. Bothner’s report states “They are fully aware of the purpose and contents of the proposed policy and no concerns have been expressed.”

 

Saskatoon, Canada: Looking Into GPS Monitoring Of City Staff

Test Post from GPS News by Rocky Mountain Tracking

Test Post from GPS News by Rocky Mountain Tracking http://www.rmtracking.com/blog

BBC Program Features GPS Tracking Of Domestic Cats

Cats are fascinating creatures to many of us. They’re all at once curious, lazy, playful, affection and stand-offish. Many of us keep these graceful kitties as pets and let them wonder in and out of the home as they please. We see stray and domestic cats alike out and about in our neighborhoods, as if they run the town. How many cat owners wonder what their cats are up to when they leave the home? GPS technology and the BBC show us exactly what 50 domestic cats in Surrey Village, in the U.K., were doing while roaming the neighborhood.  

“The Secret Life of The Cat” aired June 13, 2013 on the BBC’s Two Horizon program. The project was inspired by a team using GPS tracking collars to monitor wild cheetahs. The team was able to track cheetahs at a top speed of 58mph, gathering vital information about hunting maneuvers and acceleration. This research inspired a much smaller version of the study: tracking domestic cats. 50 cats were fitted with GPS devices and video camera. In consideration of privacy, the cameras and GPS automatically turn off when the cat enters a building, like a residence.

“If we understand an animal’s speed and maneuverability we will be able to see how managing habits will have an impact on predators and hunting,” explained Professor Alan Wilson, from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London. “Our motivation for getting involved in the program is to showcase scientific research methods to the public and demonstrate science is cool. It’s an excellent large-scale deployment opportunity for our tracking collars and the analysis tools used for our studies on wild animals. Ironically we knew more about cheetahs than domestic cats, until this study.”

BBC Program Features GPS Tracking Of Domestic Cats

Kiawah Island Biologists Tracking Bobcats With GPS Devices

Kiawah Island, South Carolina, is a beautiful region. The natural beauty of the island has been preserved and it’s become a popular resort destination for tennis and golf lovers. The preserved natural beauty of the island means there are plenty of trees, bushes and other natural habitats for wildlife. Because of this, Kiawah Island has also become a great place for biologists to study wildlife. For example, researchers have been tracking wild bobcats on the island with GPS technology for about seven years.  

“We have got about 30 to 35 here on the island. They are doing very well out here,” said Jim Jordan, a Kiawah Island biologist. “These radio collars have a GPS that communicates with the satellites and comes up with their location. They also have a VHF transmitter, which VHF stands for very high frequency, and each collar has its own unique frequency and so using a directional antenna and a radio receiver we can dial into that specific collar and then basically figure out where the strongest signal is and now the direction and approximate distance to the animal.”

The team currently has attached GPS tracking collars to six bobcats on the island. “We have got all the collars we need to basically rotate these collars from year to year, get new batteries put in them, the cost isn’t that expensive and it doesn’t take a lot of labor on our part,” Jordan explained. The Kiawah Island bobcats tend to live 5 to 8 years, but some live as long as 10 years.

By using GPS technology, the biologists can gather more and more information about the bobcats and how they relate to their environment. The study has already provided information about the local population’s average lifespan. Monitoring bobcats can help us better understand the wildlife, and hopefully intervene and protect them should they face any immediate threats.

Kiawah Island Biologists Tracking Bobcats With GPS Devices

Andhra Pradesh Brings In GPS Technology For Fire Department

Andhra Pradesh, one of the 28 states of India, is bringing GPS technology in to help their fire fighting department. Many fire departments around the United States have already begun implementing GPS navigation and tracking systems. Emergency response teams of all kinds benefit greatly from this technology. Not only do these devices help fire fighters and other rescue teams know the exact location of the emergency, but it also helps determine which vehicles should be deployed and what the fastest possible route to the destination is. In addition to GPS devices, the fire trucks in Andhra Pradesh will also be equipped with video cameras.

“The GPS-based system enabled with video cameras will be launched in about a month’s time. In the first phase, GPS system and cameras will be installed in 150 fire engines across the state,” a Fire Department official said. There are currently more than 300 fire vehicles in 252 fire stations within Andhra Pradesh. If the program proves successful, there will likely be more GPS devices installed in the fire trucks around Andhra

“In the event of emergency, the fire fighters will dispatch feed from the tablets and with GPS units, in turn will help them access locations and reach the emergency scenes quickly while the officials at the control room can simultaneously keep track of the vehicles,” the official explained. “Fire spreads too fast and if the fire fighters do not reach the scene in time, not only the property will be totally burnt, but several lives will also be lost,”

One of the major motivating factors in adding GPS to the fire-fighting arsenal in Andhra Pradesh, was a devastating fire that took place late last year. In November 2012, a fire broke out in Maikonda residential apartment building. The fire department lost 30 precious minutes trying to locate the fire and seven lives were lost in the blaze. Officials hope to avoid such devastation in the future.

Andhra Pradesh Brings In GPS Technology For Fire Department

GPS Technology Inspires Interplanetary Navigation

If you follow our blog, you should be familiar with the basics of how GPS technology works. Just in case, here is a brief summary: A constellation of GPS satellites orbiting Earth send and receive signals from GPS devices on the surface, which can pinpoint the exact longitude and latitude location of the device. This information can be used to track a person, property or to calculate a turn-by-turn route to your destination. The technology has come a long way and is now the partial inspiration for a promising and futuristic navigation system for our solar system and beyond.

NASA is developing a method for astronauts and space craft to navigate the solar system without relying on radio waves from Earth. The proposed system “will allow our descendants to accurately and autonomously navigate not only throughout the solar system, but beyond it as well,” explained Jason Mitchell, an engineer on the project at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “Maybe in the future, when we’re exploring space regularly, we won’t need to rely on a gigantic, Earth-based infrastructure.” 

Much like ancient nomads, the navigation system would rely on the predictable pattern of stars surrounding our planet. In particular, the system uses pulsars, or zombie stars, that blink at regular intervals. Radio waves can take a long time to travel from Earth to the astronauts in space and serve as a literal tether to our planet. By looking to alternate methods of navigation, like a system based on pulsars, we can explore deeper into space. IEEE Spectrum explains the project:

“A craft heading into space would carry a detector that, similarly to a GPS receiver, would accept X-rays from multiple pulsars and use them to resolve its location. These detectors – called XNAV receivers – would sense X-ray photons in the pulsars’ sweeping light. For each of four or more pulsars, the receiver would collect multiple X-ray photos and build a “light curve.” The peak in each light curve would be tagged with a precise time. The timing of these peaks with respect to one another would change as you traveled through the solar system, drawing nearer to the source of some and farther from others. From this pattern of peaks, the spacecraft could calculate its position.”

GPS Technology Inspires Interplanetary Navigation

Youth Camps Train Youngsters In GPS Technology

Some lucky youngsters in Colorado will get to attend a summer camp based on robotics and GPS technologies. The camp is called GEAR-Tech-21 and is offered by the Colorado State University Extension program. There are currently five day camp sites around the northeastern region of Colorado. So far, there is a camp in Sterling, Akron, Yuma, Brush and Holyoke. Local youth from ages 10 to 14 are encouraged to sign up at the low price of $35 per camper. 2013 will be the second year the Gear-Tech-21 Camp is available for tech-savvy youth.

The camp spans four days, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., all camp supplies and food are included. The GEAR-Tech-21 Camp will begin in Sterling, running from June 3 to June 6. The camp will be held June 10-13 at the Washington County Event Center in Akron, July 8-11 at Holyoke’s Phillips County Event Center and at the Morgan Country Event Center in Brush from July 22-25. The Yuma County Fair Grounds will host the GEAR-Tech-21 Level 2 Camp for anyone who participated in the 2012 Level 1 Camp from July 15-18.  

Like Space Camp or Band Camp, this is a summer camp program designed around a specific technology and/or skill set. Campers will get to learn all about the satellite technology behind everyday GPS tracking and GPS navigation devices. The youngsters will also be able to build and program the Lego NXT Robots, getting early hands-on experience in the computer science field. These camps will hopefully spark a life-long passion for GPS technology and robotics in the upcoming work force.

For more information about the GEAR-Tech-21 Camps and registration, contact one of the County Extension offices. The Logan County office can be reached at (970) 522-3200. The number for Morgan County’s office is (970)542-3540 and the Washington County office number is (970) 345-2287. The Phillips County office number is (970)854-3616 and the Yuma County office can be reached at (970) 332-4151.

Youth Camps Train Youngsters In GPS Technology