IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Tambling, C.; Getz, W.; du Toit, J. | |
| Is it Possible to Use GPS Data Clusters to Predict Lion Kill Sites? | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
The use of GPS collars in radio telemetry and its potential use are on the increase, advancing from pure location data in time and space to other aspects of animal ecology. GPS clusters have been used on carnivores to determine the occurrence of kills for both puma and wolves. Here we attempt to use GPS clusters to determine the location of lion kills in the Kruger National Park. GPS collars were set to a one hour schedule during the night and a three hour schedule during the day. A GPS cluster was assumed if consecutive points were within 100m of the previous point. Approximately 50% of all GPS clusters were investigated on foot from a total of over 3300 clusters. More than 300 kills were successfully located from the clusters. Logistic Regression Models were created based on factors that effect lion hunting success and characteristics of the GPS data that suggested kill sites. Best models were derived to predict the presence or absence of kills for the lion GPS data. The results suggest that a combination of a 24 hour movement ratio, time of day and length spent in one spot can predict clusters that are confirmed kills. |
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