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It is estimated that three species become extinct every hour (http://library.thinkquest.org/19689/data/esframe.html). This statistic doesn’t seem plausible considering all of the organizations dedicated to protecting animals and preventing poaching. What this figure proves is that science must pick up where activism leaves off. The first step to stopping extinction is keeping new species off the endangered list and getting those already on the list off. An obvious solution would be the arranged repopulation of such species. However, in order for a plan like this to work it must be possible to track and monitor the animals to see which methods are proving successful. A current obstacle to this is the tracking devices that are in use now, which are not compatible with every species. One such species is the Pteronura brasiliensis, or giant otter, of South America (http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=8f3581c5-03b4-436b-ad4c-2d9bfeabdc81%40sessionmgr15&vid=4&hid=116). Much larger than the North American river variety, the giant otters are native to freshwater ecosystems where they serve as carnivorous top predators. After being hunted for their fur for several years, the giant otter is now an endangered species due mainly to habitat destruction. In order to learn more about these animals to help repopulate the species, studies are being conducted on individual giant otters using radio-telemetry. In this system, data is collected from a device surgically inserted into the otters themselves and reports locations to the scientists. The radio-telemetry system is particularly useful because it allows specific animals to be identified and located at any given time. In order to place the measurement-taking device inside the otters, they first have to be captured and this is much easier said than done. The otters in this experiment were observed for weeks before the capture in order to learn more about their habits and schedules. The first step was to decide on the perfect den to set up the net and trap door needed to trick the animals into captivity. Once one male otter and one female otter were captured they were sedated while the radio-transmitter was implanted in surgery. Both otters were returned to the place of capture as soon as possible and they rejoined with their respective social groups as expected.
In the twelve months following this procedure, the otters were tracked and studied while the radio-transmitters recorded valuable information about their movements. The study found that the male belonged to a more outgoing group of giant otters for which “636 radio telemetry locations” were recorded. The male otter’s social circle was observed in their natural habitat by the experimenters here. The female otter, however, belonged to a particularly shy group that could not be observed in person. Only “119 locations for the female” were recorded.
The purpose behind this study was to determine whether or not this method of tracking animals is a good idea for otters in specific. Transmitters mounted on collars have proven to be rather unsuccessful on otters “due to the similar circumference between their neck and head.” This results in the otters, a very social species, being able to remove the obstruction by themselves or with the help of a friend. This has lead to research being conducted by implanted devices in “European otters, river otters, sea otters, beavers, grizzly bears, and black bears. This study hopes to prove that while intrusive, these devices can be effective for studying the aforementioned species. The recorded locations prove that radio-telemetry is an effective way to track otters and the authors predict that once the giant otter habitat is better understood, species conservation will be achieved.
Works Cited
Silveira, Leandro. Furtado, Mariana M. Rosas, Fernando C.W. Silva, Luis C. L. C. Cabral, Marcia M. M. Torres, Natalia M. Sollmann, Rahel. Kouba, Andrew. Jacomo, Anah T.A. "Tagging Giant Otters for Radio-Telemetry Studies." Universidad de Sao Paolo. <ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=9f97d861-533d-4cb3-b393-288d5286dcc3@sessionmgr15&vid=4&hid=124>.
"World Endangered Species." Think Quest. Think Quest. Web. 10 Feb 2012. <library.thinkquest.org/19689/data/menu.html>.
Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Giantotter.jpg
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