The migratory hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) can be found roosting in the redwood forests of California. Capable of flying for hundreds of miles, the bats are thought to make their way through western North America, finally reaching the north coast of California to hibernate. This is an unusual trait as most bat species either migrate, or hibernate – they generally don’t do both.

One of the largest species of bat found in North America, the hoary bat is around five inches long, and takes its name from its unusual frosted fur.

Using GPS tracking, U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station researchers have recently documented the first recorded evidence of its kind that shows that these bats go into a state of hibernation. The study, that was published early October, 2016, reports various newly recognized hoary bat behaviors. Read the rest of this entry »

Recent bus crash in Tennessee that has claimed the lives of six schoolchildren has school districts across the country asking questions and looking for new ways to improve school bus safety. There are some things school systems can do that will have a big impact on bus safety, these are a few steps your district can take to improve safety all around.

Install GPS Fleet Tracking

GPS fleet tracking not only allows you to record where the drivers are going. It can be used to monitor driver behavior, in real time, and even send text message or email notifications when drivers are doing the following: Read the rest of this entry »

When you’re quickly running into your home to pick up something you’ve forgotten, or are grabbing a quick coffee, you might think it’s OK to leave your keys in your unlocked car for five minutes.

However, a recent report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has essentially stated otherwise. The number of these so-called “freebie” vehicle thefts was up 22 percent to 57,096 in 2015.

Although it’s convenient to leave your vehicle running and open for a few minutes while you’re doing something else nearby, it could cost you your car. When your vehicle is open, with exposed valuables lying around inside, and your keys in the ignition, this is an open invitation to opportunist thieves, who will see your prized possession as easy pickings.

A “freebie” theft is defined as when a driver leaves their FOB or keys in an unlocked car, unattended. Rather than improving, the NICB says that instances of this particular type of theft have grown 31 percent over the past three years. Read the rest of this entry »

Whenever old man winter rears his head, most people head for the comforts of home hoping to ride out the storms in relative warmth. But more than a few dedicated professionals are on call during these perilous times, ready to brave the cold, wind, sleet, ice, and snow to keep the roads safe and homes warm throughout the snowy regions.

Below are three winter weather industries that greatly benefit from GPS tracking. Read the rest of this entry »

Although it’s viewed as unsportsmanlike for hunters to bait their prey, conservation officers in Canada are using the technique to combat the issue of poaching Nanaimo’s urban deer.

Poaching is illegal, cruel, and is of course, extremely dangerous to the public, as poachers roam wooded areas, and public parks shooting cross bolts, and arrows at the animals.

The Bait Deer program is similar in many ways to the police Bait Car program that catches car thieves, and is proving to be an efficient disincentive to poachers killing deer in the area. Instead of hiding cameras to determine the identity of the poachers, the deer are captured by conservation officers, tranquilized, and implanted with a GPS tracking device. Read the rest of this entry »