Behavioural patterns and detection of mortality causes in Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata) using GPS-GSM transmitter triaxial accelerometers

Abstract

The accelerometer of GPS transmitters is a very useful tool for inferring behavioural patterns in wildlife. One of the most interesting applications in endangered species is to determine the causes of mortality. Most GPS-GSM devices for wildlife tracking currently incorporate an acceleration meter in the three axes of space, known as accelerometer, which allows the interpretation of changes in the animal's position at any given moment. In this study we used Bonelli's eagles in captivity (n=4) and in the wild (n=72) equipped with Ornitela GPS-GSM transmitters model OT-30 using thoracic harnesses to infer behaviour remotely by interpreting the accelerometer graphs. The results show that the information provided by the "x" axis in the balanced position of the transmitter, the "y" axis in the forward swings and the "z" axis, which complements the previous ones, allow a quick visual interpretation of basic behaviours such as feeding, flight, territorial fights, resting, incubation or chick feeding. But it is very important in determining the cause of death, especially in endangered species, which can have legal repercussions in the case of criminal convictions.