Unveiling hidden aspects of GPS deployment on wildlife: A multistep and transdisciplinary approach to urban wild boar monitoring

Abstract

Studies of free-ranging wildlife often involve individual tracking by sequentially recording animals’ positions over a continuous and extended period. Automatic, programmable, operational continuously, and user-friendly thanks to the development of intuitive software, GPS (Global Positioning System) enable the acquisition of large quantities of data, day and night, regardless of field and weather conditions, while allowing for levels of spatial and temporal resolution in the location data never before achieved in wildlife tracking studies. However, GPS collars deployment on wild fauna does not directly translate into scientific outcomes. This article delves into the hidden aspects of telemetry programs, offering a reflective account of our transdisciplinary experience (between researchers and wildlife managers) in GPS tracking of urban wild boar. The described protocol and its discussion aim to outline the necessary conditions to benefit from GPS programs. The program first requires a common construction of the protocol, which meets the objectives of each partner. Second, raw data collection and transformation into information involve four steps. Finally, both technical and human-related dimensions are to be anticipated and considered for further analyses.

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  Transdisciplinary research requires a common construction of the protocol in line with the research question.

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  Technical constraints and negotiations between partners need to be considered.

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  Multiple steps are required to leverage the scientific advantages of the monitoring.