Report
Finding furry friends forever - solar VHF koala ear tag: Final report for WWF
University of the Sunshine Coast
2022
Abstract
World Wide Fund for Nature Australia (WWF) has contracted University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) to undertake the “Finding furry friends forever” research project. It involves product development and proof-of-concept field testing of a small 5 gram solar-powered VHF ear tag for life-long trackability of fire susceptible koalas. An ear tag configuration eliminates the welfare risks associated with collars (and frequent visual checks required for Animal Ethics permits) and utilising solar power overcomes the short operational life of conventional battery powered VHF transmitters currently available, avoiding multiple recaptures of individual koalas for long-term studies. The koala welfare advantages, and significant fieldwork cost savings, of this innovative device would enable it to be deployed more widely in areas mapped as high fire risk. This would enable i) studies of tagged koalas (e.g. mortality rates, displacement, easy recapture for health checks post fire etc.) following the occurrence of an unpredictable wildfire within their home range at any point in the future and, ii) if deemed appropriate, proactive rescue of threatened individuals ahead of an approaching wildfire.
Details
- Title
- Finding furry friends forever - solar VHF koala ear tag: Final report for WWF
- Authors
- Kye Mcdonald (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringRomane Cristescu (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Publication details
- 13 pages
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99714198902621
- Output Type
- Report
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