Wildlife Radio Telemetry: Use, Effect and Ethical Consideration with Emphasis on Birds and Mammals

Abstract

Wildlife researchers have been using radio-telemetry to track wild animal movement and behavior for long time. To use this method, wild animals are captured, manipulated and carry the transmitter over an extended period of time. Hence, it is impossible to exclude short or long term negative effects of radio collars. If such effects exist, it would bring up some ethical and scientific problems; such as, the animal could suffer, if the transmitter affects the behavior of the animal, the animal would no longer be a representative sample of the non-collared population. According to Tom Regan, who specializes in animal rights, the fundamental wrong assumption about animals is the system that allows us to view animals as our resources. It is generally assumed that, as long as the ethical guidelines are applied, the effect of radio-collars animals is insignificant. The purpose of this review paper is to raise some points for understanding of radio telemetry use and impact in scientific research. I tried to see the history of radio telemetry, its effect on wildlife, its contribution in wildlife conservation, guidelines, and Ethical consideration. Different current articles were reviewed to compare the ideas. From this background I tried to answer: Is the use of wildlife telemetry morally legitimate, if Regan's theory about animal rights is correct? And finally I summarized the ethical issues raised by different scholars and gave my assumption.