Denmark outfits stork chicks with GPS rings and tracking tags

From Sunday, Danish stork chicks are being fitted with new synthetic‑plastic ELSA 1 rings placed over the knee to improve visual identification. In addition, 25 of the chicks receive a leg‑mounted GPS transmitter (ELSA 2 ring), allowing almost real‑time monitoring of their movements after they leave the nest. The tracking data will help researchers understand why a large share of fledglings die within their first year, investigating hazards such as nearby farm tanks or unprotected high‑voltage lines.

The rollout targets 31 chicks in total – 25 with leg GPS units and six with a standard back‑mounted GPS. The first batch is being equipped in Smedager, and the data will be shared via the Animal Tracker platform. The initiative coincides with a record breeding season, with 13 stork pairs nesting in Denmark, the highest number in 35 years.