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Local tower to study movements of small animals

There are currently more than 350 Motus towers - each passively receiving tracking information from tagged animals
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Photo courtesy Dan Pernokis.

The Nipissing Naturalists are working with the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority to raise $10,000 to install a Motus Wildlife Tracking Tower at the Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area as part of an international wildlife tracking effort.

The system is a collaborative research network that uses coordinated automated radio telemetry arrays to study movements of small animals.   

Motus towers are now located throughout North America, and now, into South America and internationally.

“Although there are currently more than 350 Motus towers - each passively receiving tracking information from tagged animals, including birds, bats, and even butterflies - there are still some substantial gaps in coverage throughout northern Ontario, including here in North Bay. The two closest towers, each with a reception field of 15-20 km in diameter, are located in Kawartha Lakes and at the Hilliardton Marsh in New Liskeard,” said Fred Pinto, President of Nipissing Naturalists.

This leaves a large gap in tracking migration routes through the North Bay / Nipissing Region although this area sees much activity through the spring and fall migration seasons.

“The Nipissing Naturalists are a dedicated group of volunteers who have a passion for stewardship in our community. It’s an ideal collaboration to house the tracking tower at the Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area and partner in fundraising for its purchase and installation,” said Troy Storms, Supervisor of Field Operations at NBMCA.

The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority has set up a fund for the "MOTUS Wildlife Tracking Tower". Donations can be dropped off at NBMCA and receive a charitable tax receipt or online through CanadaHelps.org  

For more information on the project, and a link to NBMCA’s online donation page for the Motus Wildlife Tracking Tower,