Tracking Wildlife by Satellite

Use of satellites to track sea turtles, seabirds and marine mammals is aiding in our knowledge of areas to be preserved for the animals to feed, breed and survive.

Satellite tracking has become much more safe and cost effective in recent years. Transmitters are now compact and lightweight so that concerns about animals dealing with excess drag while migrating are greatly reduced. Tracking projects to study leatherback turtles, Magellanic penguins and various marine mammals will help determine where the animals go and where they are most at risk.

Because marine wildlife spends most of its time in and over the water, it has been difficult to be sure where they go. Seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals can all swim very quickly and stay underwater for significant periods of time, making it difficult to track them by boat.

The Great Turtle Race is now officially over, but data from some of the leatherback turtles involved continues to help scientists understand migratory routes, feeding areas and the potential dangers these sea turtles face. You can still follow the turtles at the Tagging of Pacific Predators (TOPP) website, where you can also find out about tagging projects involving elephant seals and sharks. Other tagging project footage is in the works.

The Magellanic Penguin Project’s tracking study is happening right now in South America. Results of the study will be used to help guide the formation of marine protected areas and determine optimum shipping channel and commercial fishing zones to protect the dwindling penguin population.

And we are learning much more about the individual species being tracked. Often there is a basic knowledge of what the majority of the animals do, but the animal that goes somewhere unexpected may be the source of information that will be critical to the survival of them all.

By tracking marine wildlife on line, all of us can have fun learning a bit more about our ocean going neighbors.