Motus (Not POTUS) Wildlife Tracking System – Thinking Big
The Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus) comprises a network of coordinated automated radio telemetry towers that track the movements of small organisms throughout typical environments and habitats. The program is designed to support landscape-scale research and education on the ecology and conservation of migratory animals.
It was developed and supported by Bird Studies Canada (BSC) in partnership with Acadia University, Western University, the University of Guelph and many other collaborating researchers and organizations.
The system uses nano-tags that can be detected at distance of about 10 miles by a small antenna system. There are now over 280 active receiving stations (as of Aug 2015), positioned from Hudson Bay, along the James Bay Coast, stretching from south-western Ontario to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, through the Maritime provinces and down the eastern seaboard to Virginia. When combined, this array can track animals across a diversity of landscapes covering thousands of square miles.
Learn more about the Motus program on their web site or visit the Bird Studies Canada Web site. You can even build your own receiving station.