Comparison of 3 Methods for Evaluating Activity of Dall's Sheep
Hansen MC, Garner GW, Fancy SG. 1992. Comparison of 3 Methods for Evaluating Activity of Dall's Sheep. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 56(4):661-668
Validation of the reliability of remote-sensing data is critical to subsequent analyses, yet is often neglected. Thus, we assessed the efficacy of 3 methods of collecting information on activities of captive and free-ranging Dall's sheep (Ovis dalli) in Alaska. Conventional very high frequency (VHF) radio-telemetry transmitters and platform transmitter terminals that transmit to satellites, each with motion-sensitive tip-switches, were compared with simultaneous direct observation. Both VHF (98% agreement) and satellite telemetry (98% agreement) reliably distinguished active from inactive behaviors for free-ranging females. For activity of a free-ranging male, rate of agreement with direct observation was lower (P < 0.05) by satellite telemetry (89%), but not by VHF telemetry (98%). Neither telemetry method could reliably distinguish standing from lying or feeding from walking. Satellite telemetry was most cost effective when a large amount of data was required from each animal. Direct observation was most cost effective when few samples were required from each animal and when access and visibility were good.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Hansen, Michael; Garner, Gerald; Fancy, Steven
- Units
- CAKN , DENA , WRST , YUCH
- Keywords
- Behavior, Foraging, Mammals, Ovis dalli, Radio Telemetry, Ungulates