Types of Collars Used

Two types of collars, VHF and GPS, are used. VHF are the traditional radio collar, which sends out a steady signal which one can locate with an antenna and receiver, either on foot, from a vehicle or from the air (the latter being most efficient, but most expensive). A VHF collar lasts at least three years on a lion, after which a new one with fresh batteries must be fitted.

GPS collars are far more sophisticated – they incorporate a GPS receiver which can be set to take position fixes at any time of day or night, which are then stored in the collar until remotely downloaded to a computer via a UHF radio link; one does not need to recapture the lion in order to get the data. Thus, we can map a lion’s movements day and night, allowing unprecedented studies of home range, movements according to habitat types, human activity or wildlife concentrations, etc. GPS collars cost ten times as much as VHF ones, and consume more battery power: a GPS collar taking frequent fixes lasts perhaps one year, after which it must be changed.

A satellite GPS collar is currently being experimented. Its higher cost ($7,000) is justified by immediately available information and no need of a receiver.