Elephant tracking dataset for the project entitled Population dynamics and elephant movements within the Associated Private Nature Reserves a(APNR) adjoining the Kruger National Park

The dataset includes the GPS tracking data of all elephants collared within the Associated Private Nature Reserves between 2002 and 2008. The APNR is located to the east of the Drakensburg escarpment on the western boundary of the KNP and consists of the Klaserie, Timbavati, Umbabat and Balule Private Nature Reserves (24º 03’- 24º 33’ S; 30º 49’ – 31º 29’E), comprising approximately 1,825 km2. A total of 29 animals were collared with either GMS-GPS collars or GPS satellite which were all manufactured by the same company. The precision of the GSM-GPS collars (Hawk 105 collars, African Wildlife Tracking, South Africa, Pretoria) were tested both within the APNR and the Kruger National Park and found to be <27.8m for 95% of the records. Field testing of the satellite tracking devices (model AWT SM2000E, African Wildlife Tracking, South Africa, Pretoria) had a root mean square error of <30 m with expected location success between 88-96% when tested in the field. The final elephant tracking data set was obtained via a “data downloader” supplying near real-time entry of data into a geodatabase while a data filter removed obviously erroneous GPS fixes, based on a maximum rate of travel. Data gaps due to field conditions such as thick vegetation, topography, satellite positioning or improper collar angles were also filtered until a cleaned dataset was imported. Seven of the study animals were recollared between 2002-2008, while 17 of these collars are still active (2012). Collars were deployed on seven females, 17 prime bulls (35-55 years of sage at present), three adults (25-35 years of age at present), one young adult (15-25 years of age at present) and one sub-adult (5-15 years of age at present).本数据集涵盖2002年至2008年间，在联合私人自然保护区（Associated Private Nature Reserves，APNR）内所有佩戴追踪项圈的大象的GPS追踪数据。APNR位于德拉肯斯堡断崖（Drakensburg escarpment）东侧、克鲁格国家公园（Kruger National Park，KNP）西部边界，由克拉塞里（Klaserie）、廷巴瓦蒂（Timbavati）、翁巴巴特（Umbabat）及巴卢莱（Balule）私人自然保护区组成，地理范围为南纬24°03′~24°33′、东经30°49′~31°29′，总面积约1825平方千米。 研究共为29头大象佩戴了由南非比勒陀利亚非洲野生动物追踪公司（African Wildlife Tracking, South Africa, Pretoria）生产的GMS-GPS项圈或GPS卫星项圈。其中GMS-GPS项圈（型号Hawk 105）的定位精度已在APNR及克鲁格国家公园内完成测试，结果显示95%的记录定位误差小于27.8米。该公司生产的卫星追踪设备（型号AWT SM2000E）野外测试结果表明，其均方根误差小于30米，野外定位成功率可达88%~96%。 最终的大象追踪数据集通过“数据下载器”实现近实时数据录入地理数据库（geodatabase），同时基于最大移动速率规则过滤掉明显错误的GPS定位点。此外，针对因植被茂密、地形、卫星定位或项圈角度不当等野外条件导致的数据缺失，也进行了过滤处理，直至得到清洗后的可用数据集。 2002年至2008年间，共有7头研究对象被重新佩戴项圈，其中17个项圈截至2012年仍处于正常工作状态。本次研究佩戴项圈的大象个体包括7头雌性、17头壮年公象（当前年龄35~55岁）、3头成年公象（当前年龄25~35岁）、1头年轻成年象（当前年龄15~25岁）及1头亚成年象（当前年龄5~15岁）。