A long-range implantable heart rate transmitter for free-ranging animals.
The design and operating characteristics of a heart rate transmitter designed for a wild grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) study is described. The rigid capsule is durable and is easily implanted in the field. The transmitter can be regularly monitored at 4-5 km and has a life expectancy of about 1 year in bears which experience winter torpor, and thus reduced heart rate, for about 7 months in northern Alaska.
D000818:Animals; D002335:Carnivora / Q000502:physiology*; D003081:Cold Climate; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006339:Heart Rate; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D013686:Telemetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001503:Ursidae / Q000502:physiology*