Health and environmental effects to wildlife from radio
telemetry and tracking devices—state of the science and
best management practices
This paper discusses the potential health risks and
benefits to tagged wildlife from the use of radio
tracking, radio telemetry, and related microchip and
data-logger technologies used to study, monitor and
track mostly wildlife in their native habitats.
Domestic pets, especially canids, are briefly discussed
as radio-tagging devices are also used on/in them.
Radio tracking uses very high frequency (VHF), ultra-
high frequency (UHF), and global positioning system
(GPS) technologies, including via satellites where
platform terminal transmitters (PTTs) are used, as well
as geo-locating capabilities using satellites, radio-
frequency identification (RFID) chips, and passive
integrated responder (PIT) tags, among others. Such
tracking technologies have resulted in cutting-edge
findings worldwide that have served to protect and
better understand the behaviors of myriad wildlife
species. As a result, scientists, field researchers,
technicians, fish and wildlife biologists and managers,
plus wildlife and other veterinarian specialists,
frequently opt for its use without fully understanding
the ramifications to target species and their
behaviors. These include negative physiological effects
from electromagnetic fields (EMF) to which many
nonhuman species are exquisitely sensitive, as well as
direct placement/use-attachment impacts from radio
collars, transmitters, and implants themselves. This
paper provides pertinent studies, suggests best
management practices, and compares technologies
currently available to those considering and/or using
such technologies. The primary focus is on the health
and environmental risk/benefit decisions that should
come into play, including ethical considerations, along
with recommendations for more caution in the wildlife
and veterinarian communities before such technologies
are used in the first place.
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