An experimental satellite collar for muskoxen

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Reynolds, Patricia E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1989
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; muskox; ovibos moschatus; Alaska
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z89-161; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z89-161

An experimental satellite collar was tested on a captive bull muskox (Ovibos moschatus) and a wild cow muskox in north-eastern Alaska. The animals had no observed problems carrying the 2.2-kg collar. The satellite collar provided frequent data on location and activity of the muskox as well as internal temperature of the collar canister. During a 12-month period, 329 locations were obtained from the wild cow muskox with a locational error ranging from 0.28 to 2.46 km. Fewer locations were obtained in winter than summer, but amounts of data received on activity and temperature were relatively consistent year-round. A counter that recorded closure of a mercury tip switch at 1-min intervals for 30 min was useful for determining if the animal was active or resting. Home range size, movements, and activity of the satellite-collared cow muskox were all reduced in winter.