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Press Release

[Press Release] First Confirmation of Japanese Deer Wintering at Altitudes Over 1,600 Meters in Kamikochi Using GPS Tracking Technology

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

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 track 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 Parks Foundation (contact: Mr. Sohei Katori) and Professor Shigeyuki Izumiyama, a Specially Appointed Professor at Shinshu University.Continuous tracking of the location data from Japanese deer fitted with LoggLaw G2C devices via Animal Portal 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 animals 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 that reproduction is occurring in the Kamikochi area, highlighting the growing need for an assessment of the impact on the alpine ecosystem and for 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 over different periods 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 study in Japan to demonstrate the overwintering of Japanese deer in the forested zone of Kamikochi at an elevation exceeding 1,600 meters; it provides crucial foundational data 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 device designed for medium- to large-sized animals. It combines GNSS positioning, LTE-M communication, and a solar panel 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 measures.

Animal Portal — Cloud-Based Wildlife Data Management

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.