GPS RADIOTELEMETRY: APPLICATION IN THE MONITORING OF THE GOAT CATTLE IN THE TEHUACÁN-CUICATLÁN BIOSPHERE RESERVE, OAXACA, MEXICO

Abstract

Objective: 1) To describe the radio-telemetry technique for study wildlife; specifically, using the global positioning system  (GPS); and 2) to exemplify the use of this technique with the domestic goats in a location of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, Oaxaca.
Design/methodology/approach: Goat herds were monitored using GPS radio-telemetry in order to know the spatial and temporal movements in the tropical dry habitats. Specifically, daily distances traveled and foraging areas were estimated using the R packages adehabitatLT and adehabitatHR, respectively.
Results: The largest herd (90 individuals) traveled 3.9±.2 (SD) km/day during the rainy season of 2017, and 4.2±2.1 km during the dry season of 2018. The estimated foraging area was 1.44 km2 during the rainfall season, and 2.29 km2 during the dry season.
Limitations of the study/implications: The radio-telemetry is a precise but expense technology and for some wildlife species, it is difficult to trap individuals in order to equip and track individuals.
Findings/conclusions: However, the radio-telemetry allow answering relevant questions about animal behavior. The data obtained with this technology provides useful information for the development of management plans. For example, we are studying the possible competition between goats and wild ungulates as white-tailed deer. GPS could help to obtain relevant data in this topic.