Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Studying wild animals in nature is a complex and tedious task for biologists and ecologists. The rugged terrain in which the animals live and hide makes it for researchers difficult to follow and observe the animals. Technology is used to facilitate studies on animals, usually in the form of radio tracking devices. This thesis discusses the problems and shortfalls surrounding the current technology and looks at various ways of improving it. Expanding tracking collars to capture the needed data, as well as improving the radio links to continuously provide data, are seen as the most important improvements. The proposed solution makes use of a wireless network, through which a tracking collar can have an unbroken connection with the outside world. The study focuses on the radio links themselves and topics including antennas, radio frequency bands and propagation effects of the surroundings. An existing routing protocol to use on top of the physical radio links is discussed. Hardware for all parts of the network is designed, built and tested. Proper ways of capturing data in a power efficient way are stated and recommended. Measurements were taken with the hardware prototypes in a location comparable to where the system will ultimately be used. The results obtained proved the feasibility of such a radio network. Radio coverage simulations were set up to predict the coverage that is to be expected by the chosen radios in the location where the tests were done. The simulation parameters were changed until the simulated results most closely matched the real life measurements. Vegetation caused an extra attenuation of around 20dB in the radio signal. Using the tuned parameters for the simulation a network can be designed and costs calculated before huge investments are made. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Om wilde diere in die natuur te bestudeer is vir wetenskaplikes ’n uitdagende onderneming. Die ongerepte natuur waarin die diere bly, maak dit vir die dierkundiges moeilik om die diere op te spoor en te agtervolg. Tegnologie word gewoonlik ingespan in hierdie studies en meestal word radiosporingstoestelle gebruik. Hierdie tesis bespreek die probleme en tekortkominge in die bestaande tegnologie. Verskeie moontlike verbeteringe word bekyk. Radiosporingshalsbande wat uitgebrei word om metings te neem, en verbetering van die radioverbindings met die halsbande is twee van die belangrikste punte waarop verbeter kan word. In die voorgestelde verbeterings word ’n radionetwerk gebruik om op ’n deurlopende basis kontak tussen die halsbande en die buitewêreld te verseker. Die studies lê klem op die radioverbindings en onderwerpe soos antennas en radiofrekwensiebande. Radioseine se voortplantingskenmerke in die betrokke omgewing word bespreek. ’n Bestaande netwerkprotokol om op die radioverbindings te implementeer word ook bepsreek. Apparatuur vir alle dele van die netwerk is ontwerp, gebou en getoets. Metodes van datavaslegging op ’n energiedoeltreffende wyse word beskryf en aanbevelings daarvoor gemaak. Metings is geneem met die prototipe van die apparate in ’n plek wat vergelykbaar is met waar die uiteindelike stelsel gebruik behoort te word. Die resulte wat verkry is, het die nut van die radionetwerk bewys. Simulasies van die radiodekking is opgestel om die verwagte dekkings van die betrokke radios in die veld te bepaal. Die simulasieparameters is geleidelik verander totdat die simulasieresultate met die werklike metings ooreenstem. Plantegroei het ’n ekstra verswakking van ongeveer 20dB in die radiosein veroorsaak. Die vasgestelde parameters kan gebruik word in ’n simulasie vir die ontwerp van ’n grootskaalse netwerk. Resultate verkry vanuit die simulasie kan gebruik word vir kosteberekings voordat grootskaalse beleggings gemaak word.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1999 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / This paper was prepared as part of the team design competition for a graduate level course given at the University of Canterbury, in Christchurch, New Zealand. It presents a high level design of an automated telemetering system for tracking and monitoring a number of land-based animals as small as a rabbit. The primary purpose of the system is to monitor both desirable and undesirable species of wildlife in the New Zealand bush in order to better understand their living habits and environmental requirements. The typical conditions monitored are body temperature, moisture levels, light intensity, physical activity, and heart rate. All critical aspects of the telemetering system have been specified, including the sensors, transmitter/receiver, and telemetry packet and frame design. A calculation of the link budget for the system has been performed.

Thesis (MTech (Nature Conservation))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / Largely due to anthropogenic causes, biodiversity and particularly species diversity is changing at an extraordinary rate, with declines in species abundance, community composition and extinction risk being of crucial concern. Monitoring of state variables of biodiversity such as species richness and occupancy are of significant importance in determining the severity of threats placed on species, populations and communities. As a non-invasive monitoring method camera traps are noted as being an effective, accurate and rapid means of compiling species richness estimates of medium to large terrestrial mammals. However, crucial elements of camera trap survey design are rarely empirically addressed, which has questioned the need for a standardised camera trapping protocol. Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) is a protected area that is under serious anthropogenic pressure through urban and peri-urban development. Although it is the last refuge for a number of large mammal species on the Cape Peninsula, current mammalian species richness knowledge within the TMNP are limited. Accurate and current species richness estimates are therefore needed within TMNP and more specifically the Cape of Good Hope (CoGH), which exclusively hosts a number of medium and large mammal species. The aims of this study were to optimise a camera survey protocol for the Peninsula region, with a focus on camera density, placement and survey duration that will enable accurate estimations of medium to large mammal species richness and occupancy.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Nature Conservation)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2008. / Wildlife monitoring is fundamentally necessary to understand how ecosystems function and how environmental changes affect wildlife populations and natural habitats. Traditionally wildlife monitoring has relied primarily on statistical analysis to interpret trends and patterns. A constraint of these techniques is an inability to detect spatial changes over time. This study investigated the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to add a spatial context to both short- and long-term wildlife monitoring.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2008. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on September 12, 2008) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2008. / Title from title screen (site viewed Feb. 17, 2009). PDF text: x, 145 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 2 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3331439. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Through this research, engineering students and conservation biologists constructed an off-grid video system for observing western burrowing owls in El Paso, Texas. The burrowing owl has a declining population and their range decreasing, driving scientists' interest to see inside the den for observing critical nesting behavior. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists wanted videos from inside the dark, isolated hillside owl burrows. This research yielded a replicable multi-camera prototype, empowering others to explore applications of engineering and wildlife monitoring. The remote station used an off-the-shelf video recording system, solar panels, charge controller, and lead acid batteries. Four local K-12 science educators participated in system testing at Lake Ray Roberts State Park through the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET, NSF #1132585) program, as well as four undergraduate engineering students as senior design research.

Thesis (M.S.)--North Carolina State University, 2003. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Jan. 13, 2005). Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 76-86).

Thesis (MTech. degree in Nature Conservation.)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011. / Effective management and conservation of wildlife populations requires reliable estimates of population size, which are however usually difficult and costly to obtain. This study investigated the efficiency of two aerial counting techniques used in estimating wildlife populations, namely systematic reconnaissance flights and aerial distance sampling. In Tanzania systematic reconnaissance flights has long been the method of choice for aerial surveys, but aerial distance sampling potentially offers a more statistically robust sampling method. These two methods where compared to evaluate their all-round effectiveness for survey objectives in Tanzania. The study further assessed the impact of sampling designs and intensities on estimates of population parameters.

Thesis (B.Soc.Sc.(Hons.))--University of Waikato, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-140) Also available via the World Wide Web.