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Press Release】Wintering of Japanese deer in Kamikochi at an altitude of over 1,600 meters was confirmed for the first time using GPS tracking technology.

On May 25, 2026, our company issued a press release titled “[First Confirmation] GPS Tracking Technology Confirms Deer Wintering at Altitudes Over 1,600 m in Kamikochi” via PR TIMES.Through a joint study utilizing our GPS collar “LoggLaw G2C” and the wildlife data management cloud “Animal Portal,” we have demonstrated for the first time in Japan that Japanese deer remain and overwinter in forested areas at elevations exceeding 1,500–1,600 meters in Kamikochi, Northern Alps.

Full press release: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000007.000114250.html

アニマルポータル上で可視化された上高地ニホンジカの GPS 軌跡(2025年8月1日〜8月15日)
GPS tracks of a tracked individual (ID 2409010, "Kamikochi Female Deer") visualized on Animal Portal. Location data is continuously plotted within the forested area at elevations of 1,500–1,600 m.

Survey Overview

This study was conducted by our company in collaboration with the Kamikochi Branch of the Nature Park Foundation (contact: Mr. Sohei Katori) and Professor Shigeyuki Izumiyama of Shinshu University.Continuous tracking of the Japanese deer’s location via Animal Portal, using a LoggLaw G2C unit, revealed that contrary to the previously held assumption that “deer move to high-altitude areas only in summer and descend to lower elevations in winter,” the animal remained in the Kamikochi forest zone at elevations exceeding 1,600 m throughout the winter.

Furthermore, since the tracked individual was a pregnant female, this suggests the possibility of successful reproduction in the Kamikochi area, highlighting the growing need for impact assessments on alpine ecosystems and scientific wildlife management.

夏季(2025年8月)と冬季(2026年1月)の行動圏(95%)とコアエリア(50%)の比較
Comparison of activity ranges using Kernel Density Estimation (KDE). Orange indicates the summer range (August 1–15, 2025), and blue indicates the winter range (January 15–31, 2026). It can be seen that the core area remains within the high-altitude forest zone even during winter.

Products and Services Used

LoggLaw G2C 首輪型 GPS の外観
The "LoggLaw G2C" GPS collar used in the study. Equipped with an LTE-M communication module and a solar panel, it is designed for long-term monitoring in mountainous and cold regions.

Significance and Future Developments

This is the first time in Japan that the overwintering of Japanese deer has been confirmed in the forested areas of Kamikochi at an altitude exceeding 1,600 meters. This data is crucial for the conservation of Kamikochi’s ecosystem, including its alpine plant communities. Moving forward, we will continue to collaborate with research institutions, local governments, and national park managers to support science-based wildlife management using GPS collars and cloud infrastructure.

Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Biologging Solutions Co
., Ltd. TEL: 075-746-7858
E-mail:contact@biologging-solutions.com


Related Products and Services

LoggLaw G2C — Collar-Type GPS for Wildlife Damage Control (GPS Collar)

A collar-type GPS for medium to large animals. It combines GNSS positioning, LTE-M communication, and solar panels to enable long-term real-time tracking in mountainous environments. Its adoption is expanding for behavioral studies of deer, monkeys, bears, and other wildlife, as well as for wildlife damage control.

Animal Portal — Wildlife Data Management Cloud

A cloud platform that enables real-time visualization and sharing of GPS data collected by the LoggLaw G Series. It supports the display of activity ranges on maps, geofence proximity alerts, and data sharing among multiple organizations.