Using GPS Collars to Monitor

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Using GPS Collars to Monitor Mountain Lions (Puma
concolor) in the Santa Monica Mountains,
California
Lena Lee Santa Monica Mountains National
Recreation Area Mediterranean Coast Network
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Project Background

• Habitat loss and fragmentation due to
  urbanization can have significant impacts on
  wildlife movement and survival, especially large
  carnivores such as mountain lions.

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Project Background
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Project Background

• Since 2002, park biologists have been using GPS
  collars to study the behavior, ecology, and
  conservation of mountain lions in and around the
  Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

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Project Background

• VHF radio-collars not feasible to use for
  mountain lions
• Accuracy associated with VHF telemetry is poor
• Get more data from GPS collars
• Less staff time involved

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GPS Collar Selection

• We chose to use GPS collars (not satellite) that
  had the ability to transmit the data back to the
  biologist (not just stor-on-board).
• Limited selection of GPS collars at the beginning
  of the project (today, there are lots more to
  choose from).

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GPS Collar Selection

• In the end, the selection of TeleviltGPS collars
  was based on our VHFradio-collar sales
  representative.

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Televilt GPS Collars

• Huge up-frontinvestment()
• To date we haveused 3 differentcollar models
• Simplex
• Tellus (VHF)
• Tellus (GSM)

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Televilt GPS Collars

• Collars are programmed to collect points on a
  user-defined schedule.
• Except for the GSM model, data retrieved via a
  reciever.
• Data from reciever is then transferred to the
  computer.
• Points are cleaned up before they are mapped.

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Simplex

• Earliest model
• Data can onlybe obtainedthrough
  ascheduleddownload
• No drop-off
• 54 points

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Tellus (VHF)

• Currently in use (2 lions)
• Lighter in weight than the Simplex

• More points collected per battery life
• Data download is remotely triggered
• Drop off capability
• 78 points

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Tellus (GSM)

• Data is transmitted back to manufacturer every
  time collar is within range of a cell phone tower
• Data can then be downloaded from their website

• Cost associated with cell phone transmission
• 72 points

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Televilt GPS Collar Issues

• Lower than expected battery life
• Incorrect points
• Unscheduled data collection
• Poor customer service (sales representative no
  longer supports Televilt collars)

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Mountain Lions in theSanta Monica Mountains

• On a positive note though, when the collars do
  work, they work really well.
• We havegathered a lotof amazing datain our
  study

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Home Range
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Habitat Connectivity
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Habitat Connectivity
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Habitat Connectivity
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Movement
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Food Habits
94 of their diet consists of mule deer
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Reproduction
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Reproduction
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Reproduction
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Mortality
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Concluding Remarks

• Despite the cost and other problems, GPS collars
  has given us ALOT of valuable data.
• Looking into deployment on bobcats in remote
  areas of the park.
• Also, looking into using satellite GPS collars.
• Thanks!