Integrity and retention of ear-tag radiotransmitters in domestic cattle and feral horses

摘要: Radiotelemetry is an important tool for wildlife management and research, but in some cases attachment of neck collars can be problematic. An alternative large mammals to attach transmitters the ear, though little published about ear-tag radiotransmitter integrity (i.e., how long a transmitter emits useful signal) retention remains attached animal). Here we report ear- tag from 2 studies monitoring free-ranging calves (Bos taurus) eastern Arizona, USA, feral horse (Equus ferus) foals northwestern Spain. Transmitter was lower then calves. The primary cause reduced antennas breaking off, whereas problem involved ripping out ear. When data were pooled across study sites, mean loss 111 days 180 days, respectively. Transmitters interior outer ears had rates >2 times higher than exterior ear (88% vs. 43%). We recommend that researchers intending utilize on domestic or wild animals reinforce order improve integrity, rates. 2012 Wildlife Society.