GPS transmitters to study giant armadillos

Located in Brazil, the giant armadillo conservation program aims to study the species (biology, ecology, health and genetics) in order to understand its role in its ecosystem. The aim is to use this data to raise awareness among local populations of the need to preserve the species. Teams from the Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres (ICAS) are searching for armadillos in 4 Brazilian biomes, and despite their size (150cm!) the task is not an easy one. ICAS uses a network of over 200 photographic traps to locate the species. More than a hundred individuals have already been spotted since 2010, and almost half of them have been fitted with GPS transmitters.

Prix Beauval Nature 2025: Innovation and technology at the service of conservation
The fitting of GPS transmitters on several giant armadillos enables us to track their movements and better understand their lifestyle and dispersal patterns. Tracking using photographic traps enables individuals to be spotted, and 46 of them were captured, fitted with GPS and released. ICAS teams take advantage of these captures to study the biology of this strange animal: anatomical measurements, blood sampling, health checks, etc.

Photos © ICAS

- Study and GPS monitoring of the species
- Awareness-raising and support for local populations
- Preservation of the habitat, particularly against fires
- Improving cohabitation between beekeepers and giant armadillos