Rory Wilson - 2006 Laureates

Since the 1980s, Rory Wilson has developed 24 remote sensing devices that have provided crucial data about the ecology and conservation of endangered wild species. Wilson tested his new logging device on Moon, his border collie, before applying it badgers in England, beavers in Norway, and imperial cormorants and armadillos in Argentina. Rory Wilson has revolutionized research into the life of several wild species by developing new technological approaches to answer questions about animal behaviour Like a tiny black box flight recorder, Wilson’s device monitors an animal’s position, heading and speed to measure its acceleration. From this data, its energy expenditure can be estimated. Rory Wilson (right) and a colleague calibrate a logging service. It includes a triaxial accelerometer and a compass that must be perfectly aligned to provide reliable data. Wilson’s logging device helps explain how the Emperor penguin survives in Antarctica’s harsh environment by determining the amout of energy the animal uses acquire food. Rory Wilson has been studying the dietary habits in the wild of the Magellanic penguin since 1990. His logging device now allows him to assess how much energy the bird uses to find food. By equipping a badger with Wilson’s logging device, scientists can study its social behaviour and movement at night and underground, where the animal is difficult to track.
Since the 1980s, Rory Wilson has developed 24 remote sensing devices that have provided crucial data about the ecology and conservation of endangered wild species.

©Rolex Awards/Marc Latzel

Swansea, United Kingdom, 2006
Since the 1980s, Rory Wilson has developed 24 remote sensing devices that have provided crucial data about the ecology and conservation of endangered wild species.

Wilson tested his new logging device on Moon, his border collie, before applying it badgers in England, beavers in Norway, and imperial cormorants and armadillos in Argentina.

©Rolex Awards/Marc Latzel

Swansea, United Kingdom, 2006
Wilson tested his new logging device on Moon, his border collie, before applying it badgers in England, beavers in Norway, and imperial cormorants and armadillos in Argentina.

Rory Wilson has revolutionized research into the life of several wild species by developing new technological approaches to answer questions about animal behaviour

©Rolex Awards/Marc Latzel

Swansea, United Kingdom, 2006
Rory Wilson has revolutionized research into the life of several wild species by developing new technological approaches to answer questions about animal behaviour

Like a tiny black box flight recorder, Wilson’s device monitors an animal’s position, heading and speed to measure its acceleration. From this data, its energy expenditure can be estimated.

©Rolex Awards/Marc Latzel

Swansea, United Kingdom, 2006
Like a tiny black box flight recorder, Wilson’s device monitors an animal’s position, heading and speed to measure its acceleration. From this data, its energy expenditure can be estimated.

Rory Wilson (right) and a colleague calibrate a logging service. It includes a triaxial accelerometer and a compass that must be perfectly aligned to provide reliable data.

©Rolex Awards/Marc Latzel

Swansea, United Kingdom, 2006
Rory Wilson (right) and a colleague calibrate a logging service. It includes a triaxial accelerometer and a compass that must be perfectly aligned to provide reliable data.

Wilson’s logging device helps explain how the Emperor penguin survives in Antarctica’s harsh environment by determining the amout of energy the animal uses acquire food.

©Rolex Awards/Ilka Zimmer

Dumont d'Urville, Antarctica, 2005
Wilson’s logging device helps explain how the Emperor penguin survives in Antarctica’s harsh environment by determining the amout of energy the animal uses acquire food.

Rory Wilson has been studying the dietary habits in the wild of the Magellanic penguin since 1990. His logging device now allows him to assess how much energy the bird uses to find food.

©Rory Wilson

Bahia Bustamente, Patagonia, 2005
Rory Wilson has been studying the dietary habits in the wild of the Magellanic penguin since 1990. His logging device now allows him to assess how much energy the bird uses to find food.

By equipping a badger with Wilson’s logging device, scientists can study its social behaviour and movement at night and underground, where the animal is difficult to track.

©Rolex Awards/Michael Proudfoot

Wytham Wood, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, 2006
By equipping a badger with Wilson’s logging device, scientists can study its social behaviour and movement at night and underground, where the animal is difficult to track.