The use of tracking devices (e.g., VHF radio collars, GPS collars, ear transmitters) enables
researchers to assess activity budgets, species-specific movement patterns, effects of environmental
enrichment, and exercise levels in zoo animals. The fundamental assumption in
these studies of tagged animals is that attachable tracking devices have negligible effects
on the animals’ behavior. The present study examined solitary and social behavior rates, as
well as overall activity budgets, in eight African elephants living at the San Diego Zoo Safari
Park, Escondido, CA, USA. Each elephant was trained over several months to wear leather
collars affixed with GPS units encased in watertight plastic containers. Behavioral data collected
while the GPS collars were worn (16 daylight hours, 16 night hours) were compared
to behavioral data when the GPS collars were not worn (16 daylight hours, 16 night hours)
throughout June and July 2010.