Biologging has proven to be a powerful approach to investigate diverse questions related to movement ecology across a range of spatiotemporal scales and increasingly relies on multidisciplinary expertise. However, the variety of animal-borne equipment, coupled with little consensus regarding analytical approaches to interpret large, complex data sets presents challenges and makes comparison between studies and study species difficult. Here, we present a combined hardware and analytical approach for standardizing the collection, analysis, and interpretation of multisensor biologging data. Here, we present (i) a custom-designed integrated multisensor collar (IMSC), which was field tested on 71 free-ranging wild boar (Sus scrofa) over 2 years; (ii) a machine learning behavioral classifier capable of identifying six behaviors in free-roaming boar, validated across individuals equipped with differing collar designs; and (iii) laboratory and field-based calibration and accuracy assessments of animal magnetic heading measurements derived from raw magnetometer data. The IMSC capacity and durability exceeded expectations, with a 94% collar recovery rate and a 75% cumulative data recording success rate, with a maximum logging duration of 421 days. The behavioral classifier had an overall accuracy of 85% in identifying the six behavioral classes when tested on multiple collar designs and improved to 90% when tested on data exclusively from the IMSC. Both laboratory and field tests of magnetic compass headings were in precise agreement with expectations, with overall median magnetic headings deviating from ground truth observations by 1.7° and 0°, respectively. Although multisensor equipment and sophisticated analyses are now commonplace in biologging studies, the IMSC hardware and analytical framework presented here provide a valuable tool for biologging researchers and will facilitate standardization of biologging data across studies. In addition, we highlight the potential of additional analyses available using this framework that can be adapted for use in future studies on terrestrial mammals.

• Keywords
• GPS, accelerometer, behavioral classification, biologging, dead‐reckoning, machine learning, magnetic compass heading, magnetometer,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Many animals return to their home areas (i.e., 'homing') after translocation to sites further away. Such translocations have traditionally been used in behavioral ecology to understand the orientation and migration behavior of animals. The movement itself can then be followed by marking and recapturing animals or by tracking, for example, using GPS systems. Most detailed studies investigating this behavior have been conducted in smaller vertebrates (e.g., birds, amphibians, and mice), whereas information on larger mammals, such as red deer, is sparse. We conducted GPS-assisted translocation experiments with red deer at two sites in the Czech Republic. Individuals were translocated over a distance of approximately 11 km and their home journey was tracked. Circular statistics were used to test for significant homeward orientation at distances of 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 m from the release site. In addition, we applied Lavielle trajectory segmentation to identify the different phases of homing behavior. Thirty-one out of 35 translocations resulted in successful homing, with a median time of 4.75 days (range 1.23-100 days). Animals were significantly oriented towards home immediately after release and again when they came closer to home; however, they did not show a significant orientation at the distances in between. We were able to identify three homing phases, an initial 'exploratory phase', followed by a 'homing phase' which sometimes was again followed by an 'arrival phase'. The 'homing phase' was characterized by the straightest paths and fastest movements. However, the variation between translocation events was considerable. We showed good homing abilities of red deer after translocation. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of conducting experiments with environmental manipulations (e.g., to impede the use of sensory cues) close to the release site. The homing behavior of red deer is comparable to that of other species, and might represent general homing behavior patterns in animals. Follow-up studies should further dissect and investigate the drivers of the individual variations observed and try to identify the sensory cues used during homing.

• Keywords
• Cervus elaphus, Czech Republic, Mammal navigation, Satellite tracking, Spatial orientation,
• MeSH
• Columbidae MeSH
• Ecology MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Movement MeSH
• Homing Behavior * MeSH
• Translocation, Genetic MeSH
• Deer * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH