Use of global positioning system collars to monitor spatial-temporal movements of co-grazing goats and sheep and their common guardian dog

Abstract

Goats and sheep often graze together and guardian dogs are commonly used for protection from predators. The objective of this experiment was to characterise how goats, sheep and guardian dogs interact spatially when grazing the same pasture by use of global positioning system (GPS) collars as an unobtrusive means of behaviour monitoring. In 2002 and 2003, three meat goats and two sheep in a group of 12 of each species were randomly chosen and, along with a guard dog, fitted with GPS collars. Minimum distance travelled between consecutive 30-min fixes and distance between any two animals at the same fix time were calculated using spherical geometry. In 2002, the dog travelled the least between fixes during the day but more at night than either goats or sheep. However, in 2003, there was not a significant species difference in distance travelled in 24 h or during the day or night. All species travelled significantly more during day than night but none were stationary at night. Distance amongst goats and between sheep tended to be greater during day than night; distance between goats and sheep was greater than the distance amongst goats or between sheep. Hence, goats and sheep interacted as two separate entities rather than as one large herd/flock. Distance between the dog and goats was closer than between the dog and sheep, indicating a clear preference of the dog for goats that could relate to a difference in previous exposure to the two species. In summary, based on these findings protection by a guardian dog would be greater for a small group of goats than sheep and much greater than for a mixed species group. Or, with a large group of grazing animals, the number of dogs required for a certain level of protection would rank goats B sheep B mixture of goats and sheep.

Fission–fusion dynamics in sheep: the influence of resource distribution and temporal activity patterns

“…Here, many species display schooling during the daytime but not at night, potentially because of the inability to coordinate movement without light [ 49 , 50 ]. By contrast, sheep rarely move at night [ 51 ], but aggregating in larger groups may provide protection from nocturnal predators when visibility for the sheep is reduced.…”

Habitat suitability modelling for Gaur (Bos gaurus) using multiple logistic regression, remote sensing and GIS

“…Logistic regression was also used to simulate and predict the distribution of red-crown crane (Grus japonensis) in Yancheng Biosphere Reserve, Eastern China (Li 1997). Even geo-spatial technology (radio-collar & GIS) can be used to monitor spatial-temporal movement behaviour of animals, as Gipson et al (2012) used this technique for monitoring spatial-temporal movement behaviour of goat, sheep and their guardian dog in USA.…”