Moose GPS collaring 2011!

This is a map of the entire study area in which moose were captured and fitted with GPS collars.  It also gives an idea of how extensive this project is, both geographically and with the number of agencies and people involved.

In late January, 2011, 64 adult moose were captured and fitted with GPS collars that collect the locations of each animal every 20 minutes for the next two years.  In addition to the location of the animals, activity and temperature loggers were built into the collars and will record and store that data every minute.

Moose are usually captured with a netgun or by darting.  Both methods are typically performed from a helicopter flying low over the moose.  A net or dart is fired by one of the people in the helicopter.  First, a spotter airplane flies over the area and locates moose for the helicopter pilot.  Once the animal is netted or darted, the helicopter lands nearby.  Many samples, including blood, hair, ticks, body measurements (length of body, length of foot, etc.) are taken.  The GPS collars are then attached and the animal is released.  The whole process generally took around 30 minutes per animal.

The goal of this project is to track the movements of moose over the next two years.  Being able to see where a moose is traveling and spending it’s time will help us to better understand what habitat types are important to moose at the southern edge of their range in central North America.