These ponies in England now have cool GPS collars to track their location real time

The collars are designed in such a way that if a pony gets caught on rocks or bushes, they can safely detach. Often, the staff ends up tracking the collar rather than the pony itself. Nevertheless, the collars provide critical information that helps the Trust manage the grazing patterns effectively.

Dartmoor ponies are known to be docile and friendly, and typically grow up to 45-50 inches in height (photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The ponies are a vital part of the ecosystem. Their grazing helps keep the countryside green and prevents the relentless growth of dense brambles and scrub. Ponies help create a mosaic of grasslands with wildflowers, bracken, and scrub, supporting pollinators like bees and the many animals that depend on these plants.

Interestingly, about half of the grazing land is shared between these ponies and cattle. The ponies graze in rotation, moving to different areas once they are done grazing a region. As they move, ponies trample bracken — an invasive weed–, nibble new shoots, and keep grasses short, encouraging wildflowers to bloom and boosting biodiversity. “We want a mix of habitats, grassland with wildflowers alongside bracken and scrub, and ponies help create that,” notes Pearson.

Currently, the National Trust uses only six GPS trackers, which the authorities claim are enough to cover the pony herds across the area. Given that these collars are expensive, starting out with a smaller number to understand their efficiency could be a smart financial move. The programme is not only crucial in conserving Dartmoor ponies. Still, it is also an important example of how technology can be used in wildlife and land management, opening avenues for the development of better tools to protect native species and habitats.