Tracking Deer: A New Way to Map Movements

In Virginia, scientists have been studying deer bones to figure out where these animals come from. The goal is to find better ways to track movements of both animals and humans. Right now, it's tough to pinpoint exact locations using animal tissues. Three things were looked at in the bones: oxygen, strontium, and sulfur. These elements can give clues about where a deer has been grazing. The study found that oxygen and strontium levels show clear patterns based on where the deer are in Virginia. Sulfur levels, though, were more spread out and unique to specific areas. The study also looked at what affects these elements. Oxygen levels are influenced by things like altitude, how dry it is, and the average temperature. Strontium levels depend on the type of rocks under the ground and other materials that get mixed in. Sulfur levels were lower in the western part of Virginia and higher in the eastern part, due to things like dust and sea spray. One big finding is that human-made pollution, like fossil fuels, didn't mess with these natural patterns. This means the methods used in the study can work for bones from modern, historic, or even ancient times. The best way to track where a deer comes from is to use all three elements together. This gives a more detailed picture than using just one. Sulfur levels, in particular, could be a new way to track big movements of animals and people from east to west. This study is a step forward in understanding how to better track movements using animal bones. It shows that a mix of different elements gives the most accurate results.