NewsletterNewsletter 2023

Dear e-obs community, we trust this message finds you well. We’re eager to share significant milestones shaping our journey as we enter 2024.

Fresh Corporate Design, Same Dedication

We are pleased to introduce our updated corporate design and logo, showcasing the progress and innovation at e-obs. You can observe these changes on our website and recent flyers, signifying our commitment to evolving in the dynamic field of wildlife tracking.

Growing Together

Our team is continuously growing, and we have plans for additional growth in 2024. This expansion brings new perspectives and enhances our collective capabilities to consistently meet and exceed your expectations. We extend a warm welcome to Patricia and Carsten and eagerly anticipate the arrival of Christin and Ralph, with more additions to come.

Company Succes and Research Recognition

Reflecting on a successful year is indeed a moment of gratitude. We deeply appreciate the trust you continue to place in e-obs. We are very honored to be prominently featured in numerous research papers. This recognition further solidifies our position as a dependable provider of high-end wildlife tracking solutions.

In 2023 we have received a total of 25 papers focused on ‘Birds’ and 5 on ‘Mammals,’ alongside several reviews and more specialized papers featuring multiple species. In total, that brings the number to more than 400 publications over all.

Here are the two latest papers on birds and mammals that we’ve been notified of. For ongoing updates, be sure to visit our newsroom.

Azkona et al (2023): Conditioning Fledgling Bonelli’s Eagles (Aquila fasciata) to Avoid Power Line Pylons. Journal of Raptor Research

Abstract: Throughout Europe, electrocution on distribution power lines is the main cause of mortality for fledgling Bonelli’s Eagles (Aquila fasciata) released into the wild through hacking. To attempt to reduce electrocutions, we subjected 17 fledglings that had not previously had any contact with power line pylons to aversive conditioning…

Fischer et al. (2023) Description of box trapping, immobilisation, anaesthesia monitoring and blood chemistry and serology in free-ranging European wildcats (Felis silvestris) in Southwest Germany. Eur J Wildl Res

Specific questions in wildlife research and surveillance require safe and efficient capture, handling and anaesthesia protocols to enable sampling and transmitter placement in free-ranging individuals. For wild felids, various protocols are available, but detailed reports for European wildcats (Felis silvestris) are scarce…

Projects that inspire

The heartbeat of e-obs lies in our projects. This past year witnessed the initiation of exciting endeavors, showcasing our dedication to advancing wildlife research. From innovative studies to exploring uncharted territories and introducing a variety of new species, each project highlights our commitment to pushing boundaries.

A new species addition in 2023, the Dusky Grouse, Dendragapus obscurus

And nothing is more satisfying than simply letting our colleagues speak for themselves to present their projects:

Semi-automated prediction of behavioral states in wild understudied King vultures (Sarcoramphus papa).

In this article, we examine the current gap between research-oriented and conservation-based approaches in the application of acceleration data for behavioral analysis. We use high-quality, state-of-the-art e-obs data from King Vultures (Sarcoramphus papa) in Costa Rica (collected by Osa Conservation) to show how to employ a semi-automated machine learning approach (FireSOM) embedded in the Firetail software to interactively and rapidly derive behavioral states from acceleration data.

The Mid-Atlantic U.S. Wild Turkey Population and Movement Dynamics Study

Since the early 2000s turkey populations have increased in some areas of the mid-Atlantic region, declined in others while remaining relatively stable in many. Understanding the reasons why populations have declined in some areas of the region while not in others requires examining these systems and their interactions, in combination with hen turkey population dynamics, to provide the information necessary to successfully manage turkey populations moving forward…

Space-time research of foxes and brown hares in rural areas

Wild animals have to adapt their movements depending on social or ecological circumstances in order to find food or reproduce (Ward & Webster 2016). By analysing movement data, it is possible to make statements about the behaviour of the species under investigation during these times (Handcock et al. 2009).

Conferences

Our experience with the 2023 conferences was truly inspiring, as they offered different but excellent events. The upcoming program for 2024 looks even more promising. These events are all about you, getting feedback, connecting, sharing insights and fostering community growth.

Booth at the TWS 2023, Louisville, Kenntucky, USA

Looking Ahead to 2024

As we shift our focus to 2024, a positive and anticipatory atmosphere envelops e-obs. The progress from 2023 guides us forward, and with your ongoing support, we look forward to achieving more in the coming year.

Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Here’s to the successes of 2023, the continuous growth of e-obs, and the endless possibilities awaiting us in 2024.

Newsletter

18. December 2023