Drone-based VHF telemetry for tracking burrowing and dense-vegetation species: seeking experiences and technical recommendations

Matheus Sthanley Ferreira Firme

@M_Sthanley

Biologist and GIS specialist, dedicated to the conservation of the giant armadillo at the Institute for Wildlife Conservation.

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Drones

Hello, we are looking for an efficient way to locate animals with VHF transmitters in environments with fossorial or semi-fossorial species. In this context, we would like to know if there are established experiences in the use of drones equipped with VHF telemetry systems for wildlife tracking, especially for species that exhibit burrowing habits or move through dense vegetation areas. What are the main challenges, success rates, and technical recommendations for this specific application?

Robin Poches

@Robin_Poches

Pochitroniks

17 April 2026 4:44pm

Hey Matheus, how are you?

you should contact https://wildlifedrones.net/ they have rented the equipment (payload and drones) in the past to track pangolins, bats and many other species. But I've heard the they are closing bussiness since Trump's budget cut in the USA since this country was their first client. But I think that they may help you out getting in touch with you with the researchers.

My tech advices are, what's the species? weight? attachment method? how long do you want to track? you should use the higher LOS of the transmitter, 40 Km LOS (Line of Sight) is the higher and since you are interested in tracking fossorial species, the LOS will be affected by the obstacles (ground density, forest density, topography etc), so the LOS will be like 5% up to 10% in the field, its about 200 mt up to 4 Km

If you are trying building up your payload and drone here's a link that may help you out

https://uavrt.nau.edu/

https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/2041-210X.13261

Akiba

@Freaklabs | He/Him

Freaklabs

I'm an engineer and product designer working in conservation technology. I specialize in technology for landscape restoration and wildlife behavioral ecology.

17 April 2026 5:05pm

I'd second that. Wildlife Drones was one of the early ones doing drone based animal tracking telemetry.

Simon Blee

@simonblee

Building conservation tech

18 May 2026 7:44am

Hi Matheus,

This may be fortuitous timing. My company, Apicalis Labs (based in Perth, Western Australia), is finalising our low-cost drone-based VHF telemetry receiver, scheduled for release towards the end of the year, but we are looking for testers for the next couple of months. Where are you based and what is your timeline?

Chirs Kochanny

@ckochanny

Chief Wildlife Biologist and CEO of Vectronic Aerospace Inc. with 25 plus years of biologging experience holding roles with three other telemetry manufactures. He was the first to deploy GPS store-on-board collars on white-tailed deer. He also worked for USGS, USFWS and IA DNR.

29 May 2026 5:10pm

Hi Matheus,

Try Altitude Tracking https://altitudeconservation.com/

There is stuff is way better than Wildlife Drones for tracking multiple VHF transmitters. Speak with Dr. Chris Muller about their system.

Good luck,

Chris

Vectronic Aerospace