GPS tracking shingleback research in Perth

[acanthurus]

Forwarded from aussiepythons.com - looks like a worthwhile cause....

Hi All,

I'm a PhD candidate at Curtin University in WA studying the impacts of urbanisation on reptiles using bobtails (Tiliqua rugosa) and dugites (Pseudonaja affinis) as models. One of my projects is studying how living in backyards and bush remnants in the city affects bobtails and dugites. To do this I'll be GPS tracking them across the city to gather spatial data and create habitat and movement maps to overlay on maps of Perth.

One really cool thing I'm trying is affixing external GPS trackers onto the tails of dugites - something that has only really been tried once about 20 years ago.
Right now I'm fundraising to buy enough GPS trackers - they're a bit pricey, but they're reuseable! In return for any donations, I'm offering unique rewards, such as the chance to sponsor a bobtail or dugite.

Have a look at my Kickstarter page here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...ng-reptiles-in

It has a neat video explaining what I aim to do, and a lot of information. I'm getting into the field this summer with my first set of tracking data due for reporting in March of 2015.

Feel free to ask any questions, and I'll happily follow up with my results and updates when I'm in the field.

Cheers!
Ash

[Richard.C]

Sounds interesting,though im always left wondering how the animals getting gps trackers glued on them after being trapped,caught,weighed and all that then chased around the bush or surburbia and be written down as natural behaviour,surely all that interference changes what they would have done if not interfered with so to speak,but interesting to see what happens anyways