Follow the Animals!

Here is a list of tools and websites used to track the movements of animals that migrate. This list is just a starting point, and we will add more as we learn about new ones. If you know of any tools that should be added, you can let the CMS Secretariat know at: [email protected]

ICARUS 

ICARUS (International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space) is a worldwide system that tracks animals using small, lightweight tags. These tags send information to the International Space Station (ISS).

Website: https://www.icarus.mpg.de/4158/icarus-global  

MOVEBANK 

Movebank is a free website that stores and shares data about animal movements. It is run by the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior in Germany.

Website: https://www.movebank.org/cms/movebank-main 

Eurasian African Bird Migration Atlas

This website shows maps of bird migrations between Eurasia and Africa. It covers over 300 bird species, using data collected for more than 100 years. Researchers from 10 different institutions and data gathered by over 50 different organizations contributed to this online map. It was developed by CMS partners, the European Union for Bird Ringing (EURING) and the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior.

Website: https://migrationatlas.org/

TurtleNet

TurtleNet is a website that shows the movements of marine turtles, including where they nest, feed, and migrate. It was created by Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science and CMS.

Website: https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/TurtleDistribution/

Atlas of Ungulate Migration

This website shows maps of migrations of animals with hooves, like zebras, deers and antelopes. It helps scientists and conservationists plan ways to protect these animals.

Website: https://cms.int/gium

ANIMAL TRACKER (App) 

Animal Tracker is an app that lets you watch animal migrations in real-time on your smartphone. It was created by the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology.

Link to App: https://www.icarus.mpg.de/29143/animal-tracker-app  

ARGOS System 

ARGOS is a satellite tracking system that tracks birds, mammals, and marine animals by providing their location data.

Website: https://www.argos-system.org/  

Google Earth Engine 

Google Earth Engine gives access to satellite images and environmental data, which can help study animal movements and habitats.

Website: https://earthengine.google.com/

Störche auf Reisen (NABU Blog) 

This is a German blog run by stork expert Kai-Michael Thomsen. It follows the migration of White Storks in real-time.

Website: https://blogs.nabu.de/stoerche-auf-reisen/  

Map showing location of two White Storks being tracked via the NABU "Störche auf Reisen) App in real time. Source: https://blogs.nabu.de/stoerche-auf-reisen/karte-gross/