By Greg Bartlett
Wildlife researchers in Wabasha, Minnesota have managed to carefully tag and track a golden eagle on his route over Lake Superior and the Hudson Bay. Affectionately dubbed Whitey for his lighter colored back, the eagle’s movements have yielded new insight into the behavior of this reclusive species.
Wildlife & GPS Tracking
The GPS tracker was installed last year after Whitey got caught in a mislaid hunter’s trap. He was taken to the veterinarians at the National Eagle Center, who operated on his broken leg and nursed him back to health. After Whitey was fully recovered and could fly again, researchers placed a small GPS tracker on his back that would minimize its weight and not interfere with his wings. The device includes a small panel that allows it to continuously update Whitey’s friends as to his whereabouts. Since being released, the eagle has flown north of Hudson Bay and summered above the Arctic Circle, demonstrating a remarkable tenacity for a bird whose leg not long ago was useless.
The National Eagle Center is a premier research and education center located in Wabasha. Visitors can view eagles cared for by the staff, including bald eagles and others. The Center has been tracking eagles in the wild for years, and of course their job has been made much easier with the advent of GPS trackers.
Speaking to a reporter from the local television station WCCO, Scott Mehus, an eagle expert with the NEC, expressed cautious optimism regarding the length of time Whitey will be able to use his new GPS tracker. They are hoping that the eagle will provide them with information concerning his whereabouts for at least five to seven years. The eagle’s current location is in Menomonie, and Scott told reporters that he hoped a team would be able to travel up and check on Whitey in the coming months.
Wildlife tracking is just one of the many fields in which GPS trackers are making exceptional advances. Circuit miniaturization and innovative power systems are making these devices more useful, efficient, and affordable all the time. Wildlife researchers can of course employ GPS trackers to keep tabs on endangered species and learn more about the migration patterns of air- and water-borne animals. Simple practicality dictates that even the most dedicated of experts couldn’t follow a golden eagle around on foot. Thankfully, the days without adaptable GPS tracking are long gone.
