Satellite telemetry is a modern methodology for monitoring endangered animal species. There are numerous types of different transmitters that are placed on animals, in order to monitor their movement and general behavior in real time, in order to plan the use of space and active protection measures. This methodology has been used for about thirty years in the world, while it is in its infancy in Serbia. So far, in 2020, only a few bears (Ursus arctos), one wolf (Canis lupus) and several species of birds of prey are applied in Serbia.
The Birds of Prey Protection Foundation is currently the only organization with extensive experience and knowledge in setting up, analyzing data and monitoring birds of prey on this way. As early as 2012, the first two Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) were equipped with satellite transmitters and followed for some time. Argus transmitters were then used.
We are now using the Ornitela transmitters, which use the GSM/UMTS network for data transmission and GPS system for position locating and other data. There are currently (2020. year) five Griffon Vultures in our satellite telemetry program. In addition to them, we follow three Griffons with transmitters set up by colleagues in Bulgaria, most likely from Serbia.
From 2020, the Foundation also monitor the Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), and from 2021. the White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). In preparation is the implementation of this program for other endangered species of birds.
You can find information about our birds in the satellite telemetry program here:
– Satellite (GPS/GSM) tracking of Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)… »
– Satellite (GPS/GSM) tracking of Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)… »
– Satellite (GPS/GSM) tracking of White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)… »
Using the “MoveBank” database, you can track where our tagged Griffon Vultures are going “live”:
Satellite transmitter “OrniTrack-E25-solar powered GPS-GSM tracker”, weight 25 grams for smaller species.
Short-toed Eagle, Ognjenka, bird from Vršac Mountain, in satellite telemetry program.
Satellite transmitter “OrniTrack-50-solar powered GPS-GSM tracker”, weight 50 grams is used for larger species such as Vultures, White-tailed Eagle and so on.
