Animal Planet :: Spy on the Wild

May 14, 2008

DIY Animal Spies

Why should scientists have all the fun? You too can "spy on the wild," and you don't even have to leave your computer to do it. First learn how to track wild animals using satellite tagging data, then spy on migrating birds using Doppler radar.

TRACK A TAGGED ANIMAL

Knowing where animals go and when is of paramount importance to wildlife biologists. One can never really know an animal without knowing its life history, and an animal's protection depends entirely on knowing how it uses its environment. Satellite tags help scientists keep tabs on wild animals that are difficult or impossible to track, like seals and other marine mammals. Until recently only scientists were privy to this data, but the Internet and Web sites like WhaleNet have brought the ability to track satellite-tagged animals to the public. Learn about satellite tags, how they work, why scientists use them and how you can use them to track where animals are going.

Background | Tracking Tutorial | Test Your Skills

SPY ON MIGRATING BIRDS

Studying bird migrations on a large scale is next-to-impossible without radar; because birds tend to migrate at night and at high altitudes, they are difficult to track by any other means. For ornithologists, radar systems like NEXRAD are a godsend. Not only do they survey the weather, but they also provide a unique window into the flight patterns, densities and locations of migratory birds. This information allows scientists a comprehensive view of migratory bird behavior, and helps them pinpoint migratory routes and stopovers in need of protection. Thanks to the Internet and Web sites like Intellicast.com, you too can spy on migratory birds. Learn about NEXRAD, how it works and how to interpret its funky radar images to distinguish birds from raindrops.

Background on NEXRAD | NEXRAD Tutorial

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