Tracking Systems Built for the Field
Wildlife tracking models for large mammals, medium-sized species, birds, smaller species, and flexible field deployments.
Configure by Communication, Attachment, Power & Sensors
Every Savannah Tracking unit is built up from four choices: how it communicates, how it attaches to the animal, how it is powered, and what it senses. Use these categories to compare the options before we tailor a configuration to your species, landscape, and project workflow.
Communication
Communication options determine how data from tracking units reaches the Savannah Tracking platform. Depending on deployment location and available infrastructure, devices communicate through satellite, LoRaWAN, cellular networks, or a combination of these, with data then accessible through the Savannah Data Management Platform, MiSavannah, or integrations such as EarthRanger and Movebank.
Iridium Satellite
Global satellite connectivity for remote wildlife deployments, providing reliable data transmission where terrestrial networks are unavailable. Data goes directly from the unit to the Iridium network and on to Savannah Tracking servers.
- Global coverage
- Direct to satellite
Available on: Elephant Collars · Standard Neck Collars · FlexTrack Series · Specialized Tags
LoRa
Low-power, long-range communication for local deployments using client-owned or existing LoRaWAN infrastructure. Compatible with widely used network servers including ChirpStack, Actility, and The Things Network.
- ChirpStack
- Actility
- The Things Network
Available on: LoRa/Kineis Collars
LoRa Kineis
Combines local LoRaWAN connectivity with Kineis satellite fallback for coverage beyond terrestrial network range. Suited to animals that move between covered and uncovered areas, and a fallback for critical events such as mortality alarms.
- LoRaWAN
- Kineis satellite fallback
Available on: LoRa/Kineis Collars
LTE
Cellular connectivity supporting NB-IoT, LTE-M, and LTE Cat 1 bis, with Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) satellite connectivity providing a cellular-to-satellite fallback where terrestrial mobile coverage is unavailable.
- NB-IoT
- LTE-M
- LTE Cat 1 bis
- NTN fallback
Photo: LTE tracking unit
Compare Communication Options
| Option | Coverage | Infrastructure needed | Data path | Fallback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iridium Satellite | Global | None | Unit to satellite to Savannah servers | Not needed |
| LoRa | Local network range | LoRaWAN gateways | Gateway to network server | None |
| LoRa Kineis | Local + satellite | LoRaWAN gateways | LoRa with satellite backup | Kineis satellite |
| LTE | Mobile network areas | None | Cellular network | NTN satellite |
How to Choose
- Choose Iridium for remote or transboundary projects beyond any terrestrial network.
- Choose LoRa where you operate or can join a LoRaWAN gateway network.
- Choose LoRa Kineis for animals that move between covered and uncovered areas.
- Choose LTE where mobile networks reach your landscape, with satellite NTN as fallback.
Attachment
Attachment options are engineered around the anatomy, behaviour, and welfare of the target species, from equid and carnivore neck profiles to birds, bespoke research applications, and mobile assets.
Top-Mounted Neck Collars
For species with equid-like neck anatomy. The collar settles naturally on the upper neck, minimizing rotation and keeping the antenna and solar panels correctly oriented. Available as the one-size Standard One.
- Standard One
- One size
Available on: Standard Neck Collars · Solar Light Collars
Side-Mounted Neck Collars
For mammals with round neck profiles, particularly carnivores, conforming to the animal's anatomy to minimize pressure points. Available as the one-size Standard One or the made-to-measure Standard Two, whose upper-side GPS enclosure keeps a clear view of the sky in mountains, canyons, and dense forest.
- Standard One
- Standard Two
- Made to measure
Available on: Standard Neck Collars
Horn, Tail & Bespoke Tags
Horn tags, tail tags, and fully custom attachment systems for animals where traditional methods are unsuitable, engineered with researchers from proof of concept through field deployment.
- Horn tags
- Tail tags
- Custom builds
Available on: Specialized Tags
Photo: horn or tail tag deployment
Backpack Tags
Lightweight, aerodynamic body-mounted tags for birds, using weather-resistant Teflon harnesses tailored to the species for secure, long-term monitoring with minimal drag.
- Teflon harness
- Weather resistant
Available on: Specialized Tags
Stick-On Tags
Compact, low-profile tags for vehicles, vessels, bicycles, and other mobile assets. Installed with industrial magnetic mounts for rapid deployment or screw mounts for long-term use, on land or at sea.
- Magnetic mount
- Screw mount
- Land & sea
Photo: stick-on asset tag
Compare Attachment Options
| Option | Best for | Sizing | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top-Mounted Neck Collars | Equid-like neck anatomy | One size | Upper neck, Standard One |
| Side-Mounted Neck Collars | Carnivores and round neck profiles | One size or made to measure | Side of neck, Standard One or Two |
| Horn, Tail & Bespoke Tags | Animals where collars are unsuitable | Custom | Horn or tail mount |
| Backpack Tags | Birds | Tailored to species | Teflon harness |
| Stick-On Tags | Vehicles, vessels, mobile assets | Compact, low profile | Magnetic or screw mount |
How to Choose
- Choose top-mounted collars for species with equid-like neck anatomy.
- Choose side-mounted collars for carnivores and other round neck profiles.
- Choose horn, tail, or bespoke tags where a collar is unsuitable.
- Choose backpack tags for birds, and stick-on tags for vehicles and vessels.
Power
Power configurations are matched to the reporting schedule, deployment length, species size, and solar exposure of each project. Battery counts, belting, and counterweights scale with the animal, while the GPS electronics stay the same across models.
Hybrid Units
Primary and rechargeable batteries working together, with seamless transition between sources. Solar charging adds power while the primary cells remain a guaranteed backup, giving reliable operation through varying field conditions. Used on elephant and LoRa/Kineis collars.
- Primary + solar
- Seamless switchover
Available on: Elephant Collars · LoRa/Kineis Collars
Solar-Only Units
Fully solar-powered operation for the lightest builds. The Solar Light collar comes in under 200 g, suiting weight-sensitive species and long-running deployments where solar exposure is dependable.
- Under 200 g
- Fully solar
Available on: Solar Light Collars
Primary-Only Units
Primary lithium cells sized to the deployment, from 1 D-cell to 4 D-cell builds. As reference points, a 2 D-cell zebra collar delivers around 4 years and a 4 D-cell elephant collar around 5 years at 24 positions and 4 uploads per day. Timed drop-off is available on request.
- 1 to 4 D-cells
- Timed drop-off option
Available on: Standard Neck Collars · FlexTrack Series
Compare Power Options
| Option | Power source | Reference figures | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Units | Primary cells + solar rechargeable | Used on elephant and LoRa/Kineis collars | Primary cells as guaranteed backup |
| Solar-Only Units | Solar only | Solar Light under 200 g | Needs dependable solar exposure |
| Primary-Only Units | Primary lithium, 1 to 4 D-cells | Zebra 2 D-cell around 4 yr, elephant 4 D-cell around 5 yr | Timed drop-off on request |
How to Choose
- Choose hybrid units for long deployments with a guaranteed primary backup.
- Choose solar-only units where every gram counts and sunlight is dependable.
- Choose primary-only units for predictable multi-year life on fixed schedules.
Sensors
Sensor packages determine what each unit records, broadcasts, and reports during deployment. Schedules and alert settings can be adjusted remotely after deployment over two-way communication.
GPS
Positioning on flexible schedules with position averaging, feeding movement, habitat use, corridor, and geo-fence analysis. Recent movements can be viewed in Google Earth via automatically updated links, with CSV, KMZ, and SHP exports for GIS workflows.
- Flexible schedules
- Position averaging
- CSV, KMZ & SHP
Available on: Elephant Collars · Standard Neck Collars · Solar Light Collars · FlexTrack Series · Specialized Tags · LoRa/Kineis Collars
Photo: GPS unit detail
VHF
VHF telemetry beacon for ground tracking, approach, and recovery work with standard receivers, fitted alongside GPS on collars and tags.
- Standard receivers
- Ground tracking
Available on: Elephant Collars · Standard Neck Collars
UHF
UHF telemetry in the 433-450 MHz range for ground tracking with the FlexTrack receiver and yagi antenna, and an RF beacon that integrates with the LionShield human-wildlife conflict alarm system.
- 433 to 450 MHz
- LionShield integration
Available on: Elephant Collars · Standard Neck Collars · Solar Light Collars · FlexTrack Series · Specialized Tags · HWC LionShield System
Temperature
Temperature sensing available on request for environmental or device-condition monitoring, depending on the unit configuration. Ask us about your project's requirements.
- On request
Photo: temperature sensor option
ACC
12-bit tri-axis accelerometer providing real-time activity monitoring, with automated mortality and abnormal-behaviour alarms delivered by email and push notification.
- 12-bit tri-axis
- Mortality alarms
Available on: Elephant Collars · Specialized Tags
Photo: accelerometer activity data
Compare Sensor Options
| Option | What it records | Alerts | Works with |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPS | Positioning and movement data | Geo-fence | Google Earth, CSV, KMZ, SHP |
| VHF | Ground tracking beacon | None | Standard VHF receivers |
| UHF | Ground tracking beacon, 433 to 450 MHz | Conflict alarms via LionShield | FlexTrack receiver and yagi antenna |
| Temperature | Environmental or device condition | On request | Configuration dependent |
| ACC | 12-bit tri-axis activity | Mortality and abnormal behaviour | Email and push notification |
How to Choose
- GPS is the core of every unit; VHF and UHF add ground tracking and recovery.
- Choose ACC for activity monitoring with mortality and behaviour alarms.
- Ask about temperature sensing when environmental monitoring matters.
Collars, Tags & Conflict-Mitigation Systems
Many systems are customized by project, species, battery requirements, communications needs, and deployment environment. Ask us for a configuration recommendation.
Elephant Collars
Long-life collars for African savannah, Asian, and forest elephants, plus lighter calf and post-release deployments.
- GSM or Iridium data upload
- GPS with tri-axis accelerometer
- VHF and UHF telemetry beacons
- Geo-fencing, mortality and abnormal-behaviour alerts
- Standard ~14 kg / up to 8 yr • forest ~8 kg / up to 4 yr (schedule-dependent)
Standard Neck Collars
Versatile GPS collars for many wildlife species across research, monitoring, and conservation operations.
- GSM or Iridium with two-way communication
- Flexible GPS schedules and position averaging
- VHF/UHF telemetry and geo-fence alerts
- CSV, KMZ and SHP exports
- Lion 750 g ≈ 2 yr • zebra 950 g ≈ 4 yr
Solar Light Collars
A sub-200 g collar model focused on low weight and solar-powered operation.
- Fully solar-powered operation
- Sub-200 g total weight
- Single UHF telemetry beacon
- Designed for weight-sensitive deployments
FlexTrack Series
A flexible one-size-fits-all GPS tracking kit for wildlife and livestock management where simplicity, affordability, and field flexibility matter.
- Kit: 5 collars, UHF receiver with yagi antenna, preloaded 10-inch tablet, tools and rugged case
- Fits neck sizes 25-100 cm and species of roughly 10-800 kg
- GSM or Iridium options
- Around 2 years at 12 positions/day
- UHF 433-450 MHz
Specialized Tags
Custom tags for birds, giraffes, ostriches, crocodiles, and other species where collars are unsuitable.
- GPS-GSM or Iridium transmission
- UHF telemetry
- Accelerometer-based behaviour and mortality monitoring
- Remote schedule changes and geo-fencing
- GSM tag 58 g • Iridium tag 85 g examples
LoRa/Kineis Collars
A low-power, high-resolution tracking option for localized monitoring, early warning, and human-wildlife conflict use cases.
- LoRa transmission with Kineis satellite support
- Local and satellite data paths
- High-resolution position data at low power
- Suited to early warning and conflict monitoring
HWC LionShield System
A detection-deterrent-recording system for human-wildlife conflict sites such as livestock bomas and agricultural fields.
- RF-tagged animals emit unique identity signals
- Base stations detect signal strength and ID
- Light, sound or site-specific deterrents
- Data logs uploaded by GSM
- Dynamic go/no-go areas and insurance verification workflows
Field Accessories
Field accessories for tracking and telemetry work, available in stock or on short delivery timelines.
- VHF/UHF receivers
- Yagi antennas and cables
- Related telemetry accessories
Software and User Interface
The Savannah Tracking data ecosystem is built around two-way communication between field devices, Savannah cloud infrastructure, desktop software, mobile applications, and external conservation platforms.
Explore Savannah Data ManagerSavannah Data Manager (SDM)
Desktop application for Windows and Mac with collar status, hardware settings, location data, custom attributes, reports, configuration tools, alert and geofence management, user groups, and map views.
MiSavannah Mobile App
Mobile access for field users, including collar information views and push notifications such as mortality and geofence alerts.
Google Earth Network Links
Automatically updated KMZ links provide a simple way to view recent movements in Google Earth, refreshed every 10 minutes.
Alerts
Mortality, behavioural, geofence, and conflict alerts delivered through email, push notification, and SMS workflows.
Geofencing
Admin users define polygon and polyline geofences, map them to selected collars, and trigger alerts when rules are violated.
Exports & Reports
Data reports, exception/alarm reports, accelerometer reports, and conflict reports, with CSV, KMZ, and SHP exports.
User Management
Account admins manage user groups, assign collars to groups, invite users, and control access levels.
Integrations
Integrated with EarthRanger and Movebank, with a public REST API for custom applications.
What Our Systems Support in the Field
Movement, Habitat & Corridor Research
Monitoring movements, habitat use, migration, landscape connectivity, and corridor use for elephants, large mammals, birds, and smaller species across multi-year deployments.
Photo: Movement, Habitat & Corridor Research
Anti-Poaching & Rapid Response
Supporting protection work through alerts, telemetry, and recent-location access.
Photo: Anti-Poaching & Rapid Response
Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation
Reducing conflict through geo-fence alerts, early warning, and LionShield deterrent systems.
Photo: Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation
Collaring & Translocation
Supporting animal collaring, translocation, post-release monitoring, and field logistics.
Photo: Collaring & Translocation
Livestock & Flexible Management
Providing livestock and wildlife management teams with adaptable FlexTrack kits.
Photo: Livestock & Flexible Management
Not sure which system fits your project?
Tell us your species, project location, and deployment goals, and the team will recommend a configuration. Savannah Tracking offers free online tutorial sessions and refresher sessions for all platforms, with optional on-site training where clients cover travel, accommodation, and meal costs.