RADIO COLLARS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Env & Eco)

Context: The radio collars of six cheetahs at the Kuno national park in Madhya Pradesh have been removed after advice by South African experts.

• At least eight of the 20 cheetahs relocated from Namibia and South Africa to Kuno since September 2022 have died so far. 
• Of these deaths, two were likely due to septicemia after extreme wet conditions caused the collars to give them infections.

Radio collars

• Radio collars are used to track and monitor animals in the wild.
• They consist of a collar with a small radio transmitter.
• Collars provide data on animal behavior, migration, and population dynamics.
• They can be combined with GPS or accelerometers for additional information.
• Collars are designed to be lightweight and comfortable for animals.
• Potential risks and challenges, such as injuries or infections, must be managed.