A cutting-edge satellite launched on Nov. 28 is set to track the migration patterns of various wildlife species by utilizing tiny transmitters attached to animals, including birds, zebras, sea turtles, and insects. The International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space (ICARUS) project, which had been paused for three years due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has resumed its mission of monitoring wildlife from space.
Initiated in 2002 by biologist Martin Wikelski of the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, the ICARUS project, also known as “The Internet of Animals,” has deployed hundreds of thousands of tags on animals worldwide. Ground-based receivers collect data transmitted by these tags, facilitating various scientific studies. By incorporating a receiver on a satellite, researchers can now gather data from remote areas inaccessible to ground-based receivers, such as mountain tops and dense jungles.
The project’s first space-based receiver, launched in 2020 as an experimental antenna on the Russian segment of the International Space Station, successfully tracked the movements of numerous animals from 15 different species. Following a temporary shutdown during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the technology has seen significant improvements, with the receiver size reduced to 10 centimeters and enhanced energy efficiency, sensitivity, and capacity to track multiple animals simultaneously.
Efforts have also focused on miniaturizing the transmitters attached to animals, with the latest iterations weighing only four grams and capable of tracking even small songbirds. These devices not only transmit GPS position data but also gather behavioral and health information, as well as environmental data like temperature and humidity. The collective data from thousands of animals aids in monitoring environmental changes such as tree growth, ocean currents, and seismic activity.
All data collected by the satellite is transmitted to Movebank, a global database for animal movements, and is accessible to researchers worldwide. The ICARUS team plans to deploy additional satellites by 2027 to achieve real-time global coverage, enabling the monitoring of animal migration routes and interactions with changing landscapes.
Through citizen engagement via the animal tracker app, individuals can contribute observations and data about wildlife behavior, becoming part of the ongoing scientific research. By understanding and preserving natural migration pathways, researchers aim to mitigate the impact of human development on wildlife habitats and maintain crucial corridors for animal movement worldwide.