The way forward
Biologging has become indispensable for ecologists. Thus, we must guide
it towards a rational use that further deepens animal knowledge while
minimizing the associated risks. Stakeholders could face this challenge
in two ways. First, authorities should implement more efficient
evaluation committees for biologging projects which should only be
authorized if their objectives and potential results are duly justified.
To simplify this task, authorities may utilize decision rules based on
expert knowledge, as occur with wildlife translocations (IUCN 2013).
Second, data sharing enables common goals without undermining individual
objectives, as demonstrated, for example, by collaborative projects
emerged from COVID-19 pandemic (Rutz et al. 2020). These initiatives are
roadmaps for collaborations promoting the exchange of experiences.
Additionally, projects supported with public funds should include the
mandatory requirement to make their data public after a reasonable
embargo period. Recent European Directives, such as Directive
2019/1024/EU, point in this direction promoting the reuse of public
information.
Biologging may be a powerful tool for ecology and biodiversity
conservation. However, it has developed so quickly that its ethical
limits have not been properly addressed. Thus, it is time to reflect on
and look for the most optimal and ethical way to continue studying
animal movement.