GPS technology as a proxy tool for determining relationships in social animals: An example with African elephants

The potential application of GPS technology in determining relationships among social animals was addressed in this study of eight African elephants residing at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, CA, USA between 2009 and 2011. GPS coordinates were collected over nine 24 h periods from eight different elephants. The average distances between individuals were then calculated for the morning, afternoon and evening time periods as well as for the entire 24 h. Behavioral data were collected to calculate rates of both positive and negative interactions between elephants as well as David's scores to measure sociality. Lastly, input from the management staff regarding the elephants' social relations was utilized to determine pairs who may display high levels of social proximity as well as the construction of a dominance structure. Significant correlations were found between the social relations determined by animal management staff and the GPS morning data (r = −0.431, P = 0.022), the social relations determined by animal management staff and the GPS daily data (r = −0.401, P = 0.034), the corrected David's scores and the GPS daily data (r = 0.471, P = 0.012), the early time period (r = 0.614, P = 0.001), the morning time period (r = 0.441, P = 0.020) and the afternoon time period (r = 0.474, P = 0.012) and the rate of positive social interactions and the GPS evening data (r = −0.386, P = 0.042). These results suggest that GPS technology can be used as a proxy tool in determining social relationships. GPS devices can aid in animal behavior research by eliminating the need for an observer and thereby relieving time and staff restraints. Planning the daily management of animals around their known social groups can potentially increase overall animal welfare and safety for caretakers. For example, keeping the animals in their known social groups could decrease stress and the potential for aggressive behavior during training, transport, shifting of individuals or groups between exhibits, and general husbandry.