Electronic Solution for Identification and Tracking of Juvenile Desert Tortoises

The purpose of the proposed project is to increase the “visibility” of juvenile desert tortoises at a distance by using “tags” that transmit their location and identity to readers using RFID, harmonic radar, or other radar technologies. We propose to accomplish this by using two or more of these emerging technologies. Data generated will be combined with a dynamic, GIS-based database to effectively track the movements of individually-marked tortoises throughout the environment. The system will greatly aid the Air Force's ability to manage its operations at Edwards Air Force Base and will aid other military bases experiencing logistical conflicts with threatened and endangered wildlife. Once developed, the devices and systems will greatly enhance the field of wildlife biology and have broader applications in areas related to asset visibility, tracking, location, and identification.