Cooke SJ, Thaker M, Kendall-Bar J, Choy ES, Bennitt E, Birnie-Gauvin K, Piczak ML, Trondrud LM, LaRochelle L, Maloney SK, Fuller A. · Conservation physiology · 2026

Biologging and biotelemetry tools bridge behaviour and physiology to advance the conservation and management of wildlife.

Resumo original em inglês

The early days of animal tagging and tracking using electronic tags were largely restricted to biologists who were electronics hobbyists capable of creating their own devices. Studies were typically characterized by low sample sizes due to lack of storage, large tags with short lifespans and fickle technology, yet those early studies were also important in revealing what was possible. Today, there is an ever-expanding array of commercially available biologging and biotelemetry tools that employ a wide range of sensors that enable us to study the behaviour and physiology of animals, from insects to whales, from the depths of the oceans to high in the atmosphere. The use of multiple sensors can allow us to explore animal-environment interactions and better inform conservation and management. From the identification of problems to the testing of solutions, biologging and biotelemetry are ideal for generating robust, ecologically relevant and management-relevant data. In this perspective article, we first briefly summarize the history of biologging and biotelemetry and consider the ethical aspects of the use of these tools. We then use the Conservation Measures Partnership IUCN Threat Classification and Conservation Action Classification to summarize the key ways in which these tools can be applied to support conservation and management. Finally, we identify opportunities to further advance the ability of those tools to generate effective and durable conservation solutions for the benefit of wildlife and people. This paper is not a comprehensive review but rather a forward-looking and practical perspective that spans applications, taxa, regions and issues.