F:\ALCES\Supp2\PAGEMA~1\Rus 25s


ALCES SUPPL. 2, 2002 MINAEV – TELEMETRY OF DOMESTICATED MOOSE

89

USE OF TELEMETRY TO STUDY BEHAVIOR OF DOMESTICATED

MOOSE

Alexander N. Minaev

Institute of Evolutionary Animal Morphology and Ecology, Russian Academy of Science, 117071,

Moscow, Russia

ABSTRACT: A telemetry system was designed to assist in the study of moose behavior at the

Kostroma moose farm in Russia.  Two telemetry systems were used to locate instrumented animals

and to capture physiological data from some.  The activity rhythm of moose could be generalized

from records of heart and respiration rates without the need for visual observation.  Microcomputer

software was designed to process heart–rate data previously recorded on a strip chart.

ALCES SUPPLEMENT 2: 89-92 (2002)

Key words:  behavior, Kostroma moose farm, moose, respiration rate, telemetry

Moose behavior was studied at the

Kostroma experimental moose farm in Rus-

sia.  Hand–reared moose on the farm were

studied with minimal interference because

the animals were habituated to the presence

of people.  Experimental animals were able

to range over large areas that resembled

natural moose habitat outside the farm set-

ting.  Telemetry was used to study move-

ments and home range, as well as certain

physiological parameters.  This paper gen-

eralizes our experience with using telem-

etry to study moose behavior at the Kostroma

moose farm over a 10–year period.

METHODS AND EQUIPMENT

Two telemetry systems were designed;

“Los–2”, a simple radio–tracking transmit-

ter that provided positional data only, and

“Los–3”, a system that transmitted physi-

ological data in addition to position informa-

tion (Table 1).  Both systems operated

between 166.7 and 167.5 MHz, with output

less than 30 mW.  Transmitter range was 2

– 15 km, depending on terrain.  The 330g

version of Los–2 had a life expectancy of

670 days (30 days for the 60g version).  The

Los–3 transmitter could transmit for 40

days (transmitter weight = 330g).  The 60g

Table 1.  Technical specifications of “Los–2” and “Los–3” moose telemetry systems.

“Los–2” “Los–3”

Band (MHz) 166.7–167.5 166.7–167.5

Maximum output power (mW) 30 30

Signal range depending on the terrain (km) 2–15 2–15

ECG frequency band (Hz) 0.2–300

Range of ECG transmission (km) 1.5–10

Expected life (days)

330g transmitter 670 40

60g transmitter 30 1

Precision of radio direction finding (degrees) 1–2 1–2







TELEMETRY OF DOMESTICATED MOOSE – MINAEV ALCES SUPPL. 2, 2002

92

rates of a newborn calf.  Portable telemetry

equipment was always used when gather-

ing physiographic data.  Two stationary

receivers were used occasionally to deter-

mine the initial location of animals for the

physiological work.  Moose movement and

home range studies conducted at the

Kostroma moose farm are reported in other

publications.  More than 1,000 hours of

telemetric records and several thousand

animal locations (fixes) were made during

10 years of work at Kostroma.