Validation of a New Video and Telemetry System for Remotely Monitoring Wildlife

摘要: Abstract Current techniques for remotely monitoring wildlife lack the capability to survey a wide area or transmit data in real time. We addressed these technology gaps by developing and testing new video telemetry system sampling abundance, distribution, behavior across large open areas. The consisted of 2 pan–tilt–zoom cameras equipped with 20–200× lens, an automated scanner logger. All components were charged wind solar power located on hilltop overlooking valley (23 km2) Yellowstone National Park, USA. A satellite up-link internet transmitted time University Minnesota-St. Paul relayed commands from undergraduate students who controlled systematically scanned at 2-hour intervals 6 times/day (0800–2000 hr) 7 days/week about 20 consecutive weeks (Dec–Jun). During each scan, recorded presence, activity, location bison (Bison bison), c...