Satellite and GPS tracking devices provide invaluable conservation data but can cause welfare harm through capture, tagging, and the physical burden of tag devices during long-term wear.
Satellite tracking research has transformed wildlife conservation science, but the welfare of tagged animals deserves ongoing scrutiny. Capture events are stressful for every species. Tags that are too heavy relative to body size impair normal movement and foraging. Long-duration tags that fail or become embedded cause chronic injury. Welfare-conscious tracking research minimizes capture duration, adheres to body weight guidelines, uses remotely detachable devices where possible, and is designed with clear questions that justify the welfare cost.