Tracking Data for Pacific Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) Active
Available here are tracking data of Pacific walrus, a marine mammal that ranges between the Alaska Peninsula, up through the Bering and Chukchi seas, and over to Russia. These data were collected from animals marked in the northern Bering and Chuckchi sea to understand seasonal movement patterns, use of coastal haulouts in northwestern Alaska, and determine estimates of abundance in autumn.
Return to Ecosystems >> Wildlife Tracking Data Collection
USGS Alaska Science Center scientists collect data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various behaviors, and identify geographic areas repeatedly used by wildlife that may indicate sites of importance to species and populations. Tracking data from other wildlife species can be found at: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9VYSWEH
Tracking Maps
Pacific Walrus Tracking Maps
These webpages contain four different types of browse maps and other visualizations of the tracking data.
- Maps (Animated, Static, Interactive, and Google Earth)
- Summary graphs of the data: where, when, duration
- Note: These maps serve only as a depiction of the geographic content of the specific data provided and may be inappropriate for inferences and interpretation outside the intent of the original study. For example, maps may portray only certain ages, sexes, limited numbers of animals or variable tracking duration and start times that may limit inference for other questions. Users are advised to read the publication(s) and data set metadata associated with these maps to understand appropriate use and data limitations.
Data Packages
Argos GPS Satellite Telemetry Data
These data packages contain the data collected from GPS satellite transmitters attached to free-ranging animals. The packages include both raw and processed location and sensor data. The raw data includes data as originally retrieved from the Argos System. The processed data include location data estimated by GPS and the Argos System (Doppler). They have been filtered for location plausibility, and sensor data have been decoded into standard measurement units. For most users, the processed data will be preferred.
NOTE: Processed data contains both plausible (DAF_Filter=0 or Speed_Filter=0) and implausible (DAF_Filter=1 or Speed_Filter=1) locations as indicated by the column “Location_DAF_filter” or “Location_Speed_Filter”. Before using these data, we recommend excluding locations flagged as implausible or apply an alternative filtering method of your choice.
- Raw Data [Metadata] [Data Download,128MB zip file]
- Processed Data [Metadata] [Data Download, 23MB zip file]
- Read Me [PDF]
Suggested Citation
Jay, C.V., Fischbach, A.S., Kochnev, A.A., Hills, S., Douglas, D.C., 2022, Tracking data for Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) (ver 1.0, June 2022): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7FQ9TP6
Walrus Research
USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection
Comparison of remotely deployed satellite radio transmitters on walruses
Movements of walruses radio-tagged in Bristol Bay, Alaska
Performance of a satellite-linked GPS on Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
- Overview
Available here are tracking data of Pacific walrus, a marine mammal that ranges between the Alaska Peninsula, up through the Bering and Chukchi seas, and over to Russia. These data were collected from animals marked in the northern Bering and Chuckchi sea to understand seasonal movement patterns, use of coastal haulouts in northwestern Alaska, and determine estimates of abundance in autumn.
Return to Ecosystems >> Wildlife Tracking Data Collection
USGS Alaska Science Center scientists collect data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various behaviors, and identify geographic areas repeatedly used by wildlife that may indicate sites of importance to species and populations. Tracking data from other wildlife species can be found at: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9VYSWEH
Tracking Maps
Pacific Walrus Tracking Maps
These webpages contain four different types of browse maps and other visualizations of the tracking data.
- Maps (Animated, Static, Interactive, and Google Earth)
- Summary graphs of the data: where, when, duration
- Note: These maps serve only as a depiction of the geographic content of the specific data provided and may be inappropriate for inferences and interpretation outside the intent of the original study. For example, maps may portray only certain ages, sexes, limited numbers of animals or variable tracking duration and start times that may limit inference for other questions. Users are advised to read the publication(s) and data set metadata associated with these maps to understand appropriate use and data limitations.
Data Packages
Argos GPS Satellite Telemetry Data
These data packages contain the data collected from GPS satellite transmitters attached to free-ranging animals. The packages include both raw and processed location and sensor data. The raw data includes data as originally retrieved from the Argos System. The processed data include location data estimated by GPS and the Argos System (Doppler). They have been filtered for location plausibility, and sensor data have been decoded into standard measurement units. For most users, the processed data will be preferred.
NOTE: Processed data contains both plausible (DAF_Filter=0 or Speed_Filter=0) and implausible (DAF_Filter=1 or Speed_Filter=1) locations as indicated by the column “Location_DAF_filter” or “Location_Speed_Filter”. Before using these data, we recommend excluding locations flagged as implausible or apply an alternative filtering method of your choice.
- Raw Data [Metadata] [Data Download,128MB zip file]
- Processed Data [Metadata] [Data Download, 23MB zip file]
- Read Me [PDF]
Suggested Citation
Jay, C.V., Fischbach, A.S., Kochnev, A.A., Hills, S., Douglas, D.C., 2022, Tracking data for Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) (ver 1.0, June 2022): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7FQ9TP6
- Science
Walrus ResearchWalrus ResearchUSGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data CollectionUSGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection
- Data
- Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 15
Comparison of remotely deployed satellite radio transmitters on walruses
No abstract available.AuthorsC.V. Jay, M. P. Heide-Jorgensen, Anthony S. Fischbach, M.V. Jensen, D.F. Tessler, A.V. JensenMovements of walruses radio-tagged in Bristol Bay, Alaska
Satellite radio-location data from 57 adult male Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) were used to estimate haul-out fidelity, broadly describe seasonal foraging distributions, and determine the approximate timing of autumn migration from Bristol Bay, Alaska. Data were collected intermittently during 1987–91 and 1995–2000, primarily during the period from May to October. Transmitter longAuthorsChadwick V. Jay, Susan HillsPerformance of a satellite-linked GPS on Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
We evaluated the utility of a satellite-linked GPS in obtaining location data from Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). A unit was attached to one of the tusks of each of three adult male walruses in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The units were designed to relay GPS positions through the Argos Data Collection and Location System. The GPS was only minimally effective in obtaining location data. AAuthorsChadwick V. Jay, Gerald W. Garner - News