Construction of a prototype for tracking dogs in the streets using Arduino / Construção de protótipo para rastreamento de cães nas ruas utilizando Arduíno

One of the motives that compromises the welfare of dogs is a lack of understanding of their needs and of the natural behavior of the species. The use of telemetry as a means of indirect observation is emergent and has provided a significant increase in scientific perspectives. However, its use is still limited for domestic animals despite the high potential for applying the technology in this area. Thus, the objective of this project was to construct a prototype using telemetry via satellite, of reduced size and low cost that allows for the monitoring of dogs in the streets. The prototype of the tracker was constructed containing a Pro Mini Arduino with an ATmega328 micro-controller, a GPS module for the Arduino, GPS u-blox NEO-6M and a Micro Sd reading/taping module for the Arduino. The final weight of the prototype was 197.4±101.5 grams with the battery and is attached to the collar. The dispersion of the planimetric coordinates around the mean was 2.7 meters, which increased to 10.9 meters when the height factor was added to the dispersion. It was concluded that with the size and weight of the prototype used it was possible to evaluate medium to large-sized dogs in the street. The prototype showed the precision necessary to read the coordinates collected for projects aimed at monitoring dogs in the streets, since these do not demand millimetric precision and accuracy.(AU)

Um dos motivos do comprometimento do bem-estar de cães é a falta de compreensão das suas necessidades e do comportamento natural da espécie. A utilização de telemetria como método de observação indireta é emergente e tem proporcionado um crescimento significativo das perspectivas científicas; porém, ainda em animais domésticos seu uso é limitado mesmo com seu alto potencial de aplicação da tecnologia no setor. Dessa forma a intenção do projeto foi a construção de um protótipo de telemetria via satélite de tamanho reduzido e de baixo custo que permita o monitoramento dos cães na rua. O protótipo de rastreador foi construído contendo um Arduino Pro Mini com o micro controlador ATmega328, um módulo GPS para Arduino, GPS u-blox NEO-6M e um módulo de leitor/gravador Micro Sd para Arduino. O peso final do protótipo chegou a 197,4±10,5 gramas com bateria e acoplado na coleira. A dispersão das coordenadas planimétricas ao redor da média foi de 2,7 metros e quando adicionado o fator altitude a dispersão passa para 10,9 metros. Conclui-se que com o tamanho e peso do protótipo utilizado é possível avaliar cães de rua de porte médio a grande. O protótipo teve uma precisão na leitura das coordenadas coletadas necessário para projetos de monitoramento de cães de rua nos quais não se exige uma precisão e acurácia milimétrica.(AU)

Construction of a prototype for tracking dogs in the streets using Arduino / Construção de protótipo para rastreamento de cães nas ruas utilizando Arduíno

One of the motives that compromises the welfare of dogs is a lack of understanding of their needs and of the natural behavior of the species. The use of telemetry as a means of indirect observation is emergent and has provided a significant increase in scientific perspectives. However, its use is still limited for domestic animals despite the high potential for applying the technology in this area. Thus, the objective of this project was to construct a prototype using telemetry via satellite, of reduced size and low cost that allows for the monitoring of dogs in the streets. The prototype of the tracker was constructed containing a Pro Mini Arduino with an ATmega328 micro-controller, a GPS module for the Arduino, GPS u-blox NEO-6M and a Micro Sd reading/taping module for the Arduino. The final weight of the prototype was 197.4±101.5 grams with the battery and is attached to the collar. The dispersion of the planimetric coordinates around the mean was 2.7 meters, which increased to 10.9 meters when the height factor was added to the dispersion. It was concluded that with the size and weight of the prototype used it was possible to evaluate medium to large-sized dogs in the street. The prototype showed the precision necessary to read the coordinates collected for projects aimed at monitoring dogs in the streets, since these do not demand millimetric precision and accuracy.

Um dos motivos do comprometimento do bem-estar de cães é a falta de compreensão das suas necessidades e do comportamento natural da espécie. A utilização de telemetria como método de observação indireta é emergente e tem proporcionado um crescimento significativo das perspectivas científicas; porém, ainda em animais domésticos seu uso é limitado mesmo com seu alto potencial de aplicação da tecnologia no setor. Dessa forma a intenção do projeto foi a construção de um protótipo de telemetria via satélite de tamanho reduzido e de baixo custo que permita o monitoramento dos cães na rua. O protótipo de rastreador foi construído contendo um Arduino Pro Mini com o micro controlador ATmega328, um módulo GPS para Arduino, GPS u-blox NEO-6M e um módulo de leitor/gravador Micro Sd para Arduino. O peso final do protótipo chegou a 197,4±10,5 gramas com bateria e acoplado na coleira. A dispersão das coordenadas planimétricas ao redor da média foi de 2,7 metros e quando adicionado o fator altitude a dispersão passa para 10,9 metros. Conclui-se que com o tamanho e peso do protótipo utilizado é possível avaliar cães de rua de porte médio a grande. O protótipo teve uma precisão na leitura das coordenadas coletadas necessário para projetos de monitoramento de cães de rua nos quais não se exige uma precisão e acurácia milimétrica.

Aspectos do uso territorial por onça parda (Puma concolor), através de monitoramento via satélite, na região do Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro, MG / Aspects of territorial use of the Cougar (Puma concolor), by satelite monitoring, in the Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro, MG

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo monitorar o comportamento do uso territorial de um macho de onça parda, capturado no Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro (PESB), por meio da telemetria, usando colar de GPS via Satélite Globalstar. O monitoramento de doze meses resultou na transmissão via satélite de 328 localizações, as quais sugerem que a área utilizada por esse felino seja de aproximadamente 610km2, sendo esta a maior área já descrita para a espécie. Foi possível observar que apenas 20% das localizações ocorreram dentro da área do PESB. O comportamento territorial observado neste trabalho mostra a vulnerabilidade do animal a ações antrópicas, como a caça, atropelamentos e o contato com patógenos entre animais silvestres e domésticos. Observou-se também que duas rodovias configuram barreiras artificiais para o deslocamento do animal, possivelmente impedindo o fluxo gênico entre o PESB e dois outros importantes parques. Com os dados levantados é possível a sugestão de ações de manejo, como a criação de uma conectividade efetiva entre o PESB, o Parque Estadual do Rio Doce e o Parque Nacional do Caparaó, o que poderia contribuir para o intercâmbio genético entre as populações e, dessa forma, favorecer a conservação não somente da onça parda.(AU)

We aimed to study the territorial behavior of a male cougar, captured in the Parque Estadual da Serra do Brigadeiro (PESB), using a GPS collar and the Globalstar Satellite. Monitoring the animal for nine months we obtained 328 locations. The data suggest that the area used by this feline is approximately 610km2, the largest area described for this specie. It was also possible to observe that only 20% of the locations of the animal occurred within the PESB area. The territorial behavior observed in this study shows the vulnerability of the animal to human activities such as hunting, road kill and contact with pathogens from domestic animals. It was also observed that two roads constitute artificial barriers for animal movement, possibly preventing gene flow between the PESB and two other parks. The creation of an effective connectivity between the PESB, the Parque Estadual do Rio Doce and the Parque Nacional do Caparaó is critical to ensure genetic exchange between the animal populations and thereby promote their conservation.(AU)

What do humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae (Cetartiodactyla: Balaenopteridae) pairs do after tagging?

The social structure of humpback whales in their tropical wintering grounds is very fluid. To date, no information has been published for cases in which two whales were both satellite-tagged while in association. Here, we report the movements of four humpback whale pairs tagged together off the coast of Brazil. Fieldwork and satellite tagging of humpback whales was conducted between 2003 and 2008 along the eastern coast of Brazil, between 20°S and 8°S. Movement was monitored while whales were still in their breeding ground. A switching state space model was applied to the filtered data of each humpback whale to standardize telemetry data and allow direct comparison of each individual track. GIS was used to plot model-predicted locations and to visually compare animal movements. The results confirm the short-lived nature of associations between breeding humpback whales, and shows that individuals differ widely in their movements.

What do humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae (Cetartiodactyla: Balaenopteridae) pairs do after tagging?

The social structure of humpback whales in their tropical wintering grounds is very fluid. To date, no information has been published for cases in which two whales were both satellite-tagged while in association. Here, we report the movements of four humpback whale pairs tagged together off the coast of Brazil. Fieldwork and satellite tagging of humpback whales was conducted between 2003 and 2008 along the eastern coast of Brazil, between 20°S and 8°S. Movement was monitored while whales were still in their breeding ground. A switching state space model was applied to the filtered data of each humpback whale to standardize telemetry data and allow direct comparison of each individual track. GIS was used to plot model-predicted locations and to visually compare animal movements. The results confirm the short-lived nature of associations between breeding humpback whales, and shows that individuals differ widely in their movements.(AU)

Behavioral responses of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae (Cetacea: Balaenopteridae), to satellite transmitter deployment procedures

Tagging whales with implantable satellite transmitters creates the possibility of disturbing the animals. Between 2003 and 2005, behavioral observations of humpback whales during tag deployment operations were conducted off the coast of Brazil from the flying bridge of a speedboat. The speed achieved by each whale during pursuit was registered by GPS receivers onboard two inflatable zodiac boats. Respiratory frequencies were significantly lower (n = 15, p 0.05) before (mean = 0.89 ± 0.06 blows/min) compared with after (1.39 ± 0.15) tagging. The same effect was observed for the speed of each animal (mean = 10.96 ± 0.44 km/h and 12.54 ± 0.57 km/h; n = 13, p 0.05). Both variables were positively correlated with the duration of the pursuit (n = 21, r = 0.88, p 0.05; n = 13, r = 0.94, p 0.01) and with each other (n = 26, r = 0.65, p 0.01). Acute responses were observed in 50% of the 28 tag deployments. Pursuits were shown to generate a longer effect than tagging. We suggest that the behavioral changes presented here are short-term disturbances because the tagging operation ends quickly and is not a repeated procedure. However, protocols must be developed to guarantee the maintenance of the animals' welfare during operations.

Behavioral responses of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae (Cetacea: Balaenopteridae), to satellite transmitter deployment procedures

Tagging whales with implantable satellite transmitters creates the possibility of disturbing the animals. Between 2003 and 2005, behavioral observations of humpback whales during tag deployment operations were conducted off the coast of Brazil from the flying bridge of a speedboat. The speed achieved by each whale during pursuit was registered by GPS receivers onboard two inflatable zodiac boats. Respiratory frequencies were significantly lower (n = 15, p 0.05) before (mean = 0.89 ± 0.06 blows/min) compared with after (1.39 ± 0.15) tagging. The same effect was observed for the speed of each animal (mean = 10.96 ± 0.44 km/h and 12.54 ± 0.57 km/h; n = 13, p 0.05). Both variables were positively correlated with the duration of the pursuit (n = 21, r = 0.88, p 0.05; n = 13, r = 0.94, p 0.01) and with each other (n = 26, r = 0.65, p 0.01). Acute responses were observed in 50% of the 28 tag deployments. Pursuits were shown to generate a longer effect than tagging. We suggest that the behavioral changes presented here are short-term disturbances because the tagging operation ends quickly and is not a repeated procedure. However, protocols must be developed to guarantee the maintenance of the animals' welfare during operations.

Behavioral responses of humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae (Cetacea: Balaenopteridae), to satellite transmitter deployment procedures

Tagging whales with implantable satellite transmitters creates the possibility of disturbing the animals. Between 2003 and 2005, behavioral observations of humpback whales during tag deployment operations were conducted off the coast of Brazil from the flying bridge of a speedboat. The speed achieved by each whale during pursuit was registered by GPS receivers onboard two inflatable zodiac boats. Respiratory frequencies were significantly lower (n = 15, p 0.05) before (mean = 0.89 ± 0.06 blows/min) compared with after (1.39 ± 0.15) tagging. The same effect was observed for the speed of each animal (mean = 10.96 ± 0.44 km/h and 12.54 ± 0.57 km/h; n = 13, p 0.05). Both variables were positively correlated with the duration of the pursuit (n = 21, r = 0.88, p 0.05; n = 13, r = 0.94, p 0.01) and with each other (n = 26, r = 0.65, p 0.01). Acute responses were observed in 50% of the 28 tag deployments. Pursuits were shown to generate a longer effect than tagging. We suggest that the behavioral changes presented here are short-term disturbances because the tagging operation ends quickly and is not a repeated procedure. However, protocols must be developed to guarantee the maintenance of the animals' welfare during operations.