Radio-tracking systems emit pulsed waves that could affect the health and alter the orientation of animals

Abstract

Overview

Radio tagging is a critical technique for studying wild animals, especially in understanding their ecology and movements. However, it’s crucial to ensure that these methods do not cause harm to the subjects or introduce biases into the study results.

Issues with Current Practices

Although radio tagging is indispensable, its application has often been indiscriminate, overlooking potential adverse effects. The widely acknowledged issues include the physical burden from the devices and harnesses used. However, less understood are the risks posed by the electromagnetic fields emitted by these devices, specifically their non-thermal, modulated, or pulsed effects.

Call for Action

This commentary stresses the urgent need for comprehensive studies to evaluate the potential health and orientation impacts of electromagnetic fields on radio-tracked animals, suggesting that past research hasn't sufficiently addressed these concerns.