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New Zealand Pet Cat GPS Tracking Data
Data Science and Analytics
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About
This collection details the movements and ecological impacts of domestic pets monitored through a citizen science initiative. The data was gathered to quantify the predation risk posed by household animals to native wildlife by providing spatial context to their activities. Research revealed that these animals exhibit remarkably confined home ranges, with most of their ecological effect, measured in prey killed per hectare per year, being highly concentrated near their dwellings. It includes vital statistics about the animals, GPS deployment details, and owner-reported hunting behaviours.
Columns
The data file contains detailed information across 21 fields, primarily focused on animal tracking and metadata. Key columns include:
- tag-id and animal-id: Unique identifiers for the tracking device and the subject.
- animal-taxon: Specifies the species, which is Felis catus.
- deploy-on-date and deploy-off-date: The start and end timestamps for the GPS tracking period.
- animal-sex: The biological gender of the pet (male or female).
- animal-reproductive-condition: Indicates neutering status, primarily recorded as Spayed or Neutered.
- animal-comments: Contains notes on hunting habits and the reported average number of prey killed per month.
- study-site: Identifies the specific geographic location where the animal was tracked, such as New Zealand.
- duty-cycle: Details the tracking frequency, typically set at 3-minute fixes.
- tag-mass: The weight of the deployed tracking device, noted as 119 grams.
Distribution
The information is available in a reference CSV file format. The file contains records corresponding to 233 unique tagged animals. It includes 21 distinct characteristics about each deployment and animal. The dataset is static and is not expected to receive future updates.
Usage
This resource is ideal for various analytical purposes, including:
- Ecological modelling and assessing human impact on urban biodiversity.
- Studying the spatial behaviour and home range dynamics of domestic animals.
- Developing mitigation strategies for conservation efforts focused on native prey species.
- Researching correlations between animal characteristics (like age or neuter status) and hunting frequency.
Coverage
The data collection period spans just over a year, running from March 2015 to April 2016. While the broader study included pets from six different countries, the specific data represented here identifies the study site as New Zealand. The coverage includes metadata on age, sex, and reproductive condition for the tracked animals.
License
CC0: Public Domain
Who Can Use It
- Conservation Scientists: To quantify and map the predatory ecological pressure exerted by high-density populations of domestic animals.
- Urban Planners and Local Government: To inform policy decisions regarding pet control and wildlife reserves located near residential areas.
- Pet Behaviour Researchers: To analyse the movement patterns and indoor/outdoor habits of pets based on GPS and owner manipulation notes.
- Students and Data Analysts: For educational projects focusing on geospatial analysis and environmental data interpretation.
Dataset Name Suggestions
- New Zealand Pet Cat GPS Tracking Data
- Domestic Feline Ecological Impact Study (New Zealand)
- Urban Pet Predator Movement Patterns
- Citizen Science Cat Tracking 2015–2016
Attributes
Original Data Source: New Zealand Pet Cat GPS Tracking Data
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