Bio-logging (cf. Naito 2004, Ropert-Coudert & Wilson
2005),
i.e. where miniature data-recording devices are attached to free-ranging
animals to measure their activity, is a rapidly-expanding discipline. There is
now an impressive array of animal species that are being fitted with devices.
However, attaching a device is not always as simple as it may seem. From the
smooth skin of cetacean to the hard shell of sea turtles, each case demands
specific techniques. In birds, attachments have evolved from harnesses, glue to
the use of marine tape (Wilson et al. 1997). This latter technique is recognized as one of the
best as it is cheap, simple and quick. This way the handling of birds (an
important source of stress that can in extreme cases lead to death by
overheating) is substantially reduced. Moreover, the feathers of the birds are
not damaged and retain their insulative properties. Although it may look scary
to secure thousands dollars worth equipment with simply tape, this is a very
safe method: in 1994, I deployed a satellite transmitter on a King penguin (Aptenodytes
patagonicus) with tape in the early austral summer. The bird with its equipment
still firmly attached was recaptured 6 months later…
Here
we illustrate the principle of using marine tape (from TESA company, GmBh,
Germany) to attach data-logger externally on the back of little penguins (Eudyptula
minor). The following pictures were taken in November 2005 during a field
party in Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. Our study involved attaching
accelerometers (providing information about the activity and body posture of
birds) on male and female little penguins.
The attachment position that less alter the hydrodynamic profile
of birds is the median line of the back, nearby the tail.- Prepare in advance 2-3 stripes of TESA (number
depending on the length of the logger) which should be long enough to
cover more than the complete circumference of the logger.
- Place the first stripe (the one that will
cover the bottom end of the logger) with its sticky face up and put some feathers
on it.
- Repeat this for every stripe. Try to ensure
that a bit of each stripe overwhelms the previous one.
- Place a band of mastic (to avoid the logger to
slide free in the cylinder of TESA) and the logger above it, parallel to
long body axis of the bird.
- Wrap the TESA stripes around the logger
(starting by the upper stripe). When closing the stripe, make sure that
one end of the stripe cover the other and that the stripe is tight around
the logger.
- If utterly nervous, you can add a drop of glue
on the point where the 2 ends of the stripes meet.
The whole attachment
should not last more than 5 min if properly executed. If successful, you will look as happy and
proud as the folks at the bottom of the picture!!
REFERENCES:
* Naito Y. 2004. Bio-logging science. Mem Natl Inst
Polar Res Spec Issue 58: 118–32.
* Ropert-Coudert Y & Wilson RP (2005) Trends and
perspectives in animal-attached remote-sensing. Frontiers Ecol Environ 3:
437-444.
* Wilson RP, Pütz K, Peters G, Culik BM, Scolaro JA,
Charrassin J-B, Ropert-Coudert Y (1997) Long-term attachment of transmitting
and recording devices to penguins and other seabirds. Wildl Soc Bull 25(1):
101-106.