Science & Ethics
How we track
GPS tracking is real field research — not a gimmick. Every tracker that research teams attach to an animal follows strict scientific protocols. The goal: maximum data quality with minimal impact on the animal's life.
International Standard
The 5 % Rule
A GPS tracker may weigh no more than 5 % of an animal's body weight — this is the globally recognised guideline in wildlife research. For a 30 kg female sea turtle, that means a maximum tracker weight of 1.5 kg. For penguins, often only 40–60 g.
Many programmes today fall well below this threshold — thanks to modern miniaturisation, current transmitters often weigh less than 2 % of the animal's body weight.
Methods
Attachment Methods
Depending on the species and habitat, different attachment techniques are used. All are designed to detach from the animal after the study period ends.
Collar / Harness
Land Mammals
For elephants, polar bears and other large mammals. Equipped with a break-away mechanism — the band automatically falls off once the battery reaches the end of its life.
Back Harness
Birds & Penguins
Ultra-light harness that sits between the wings. Specially designed to affect neither swimming nor flight behaviour. Elastic bands release after the study period.
Epoxy Mounting
Sea Turtles
The transmitter is fixed to the shell with seawater-resistant epoxy resin. Natural shell growth causes the tracker to detach over time — no recapture needed.
Technology
Drop-off & Remote Release
Modern trackers are designed to fall off automatically after the study period or be released remotely. No recapture needed — the animal remains undisturbed.
SensorDrop Technology
A programmed corrosion link releases the tracker after a defined runtime.
Solar & Kinetic Energy
Many transmitters use solar cells or the animal's movement energy — for longer runtime at lower weight.
Remote Release
Via satellite signal, the tracker can be released remotely at any time — if the study ends early.
Transparency
Where we say no
Not every species is suitable for GPS tracking. When scientific studies show that tracking demonstrably affects a species' well-being, we refrain from it — regardless of how popular the species is with our customers.
That also means: we will never track a species just because it sells well. Animal welfare always comes before commerce at aninu.
Collaboration
Partners & Research
aninu works with established research programmes and conservation organisations. The movement data collected through our trackers flows directly into scientific species protection projects — for better protection of habitats, migration routes and endangered populations.
Sources & Further Reading
- Kenward, R.E. (2001). A Manual for Wildlife Radio Tagging. Academic Press.
- Wilson, R.P. & McMahon, C.R. (2006). Measuring devices on wild animals: what constitutes acceptable practice? Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 4(3), 147–154.
- Casper, R.M. (2009). Guidelines for the instrumentation of wild birds and mammals. Animal Behaviour, 78(6), 1477–1483.
- Vandenabeele, S.P., Wilson, R.P. & Grogan, A. (2011). Tags on seabirds: how seriously are instrument-induced behaviours considered? Animal Welfare, 20(4), 559–571.