In the quest for alternative space-based receivers for animal tags, scientists are frantically searching due to the loss of communication from the Russian-managed space station antenna.

Over the past two weeks, Martin Wikelski and Walter Jetz have experienced both success and setbacks with their space-based wildlife tracking project. They published a paper tracking the movements of 15 species, including an endangered saiga antelope and long-distance flights of cuckoos. However, their data stream from the International Space Station (ISS) was interrupted, possibly due to the war in Ukraine. ICARUS, the International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space, may be in jeopardy as a result. Despite the challenges, Wikelski and Jetz are working on alternative space-based receivers to continue their project. Some scientists remain skeptical about the future of ICARUS, while others believe that existing technologies, such as GPS tags, can already provide valuable data on animal movement. However, Wikelski remains optimistic and determined to pursue his vision of understanding animal behavior from space.