"Just text me when you arrived"

October 26, 2019 7:33 AM

Russian scientists tracking migrating eagles ran out of money after some of the birds flew to Iran and Pakistan and their SMS transmitters drew huge data roaming charges. [SLBBC]
posted by KTamas (10 comments total)

They should migrate them to a new plan.
posted by carter at 9:07 AM on October 26, 2019 [26 favorites]

What if they tracked them via Gee G? Their roaming charges are measured only in alfalfa and carrots.
posted by rhizome at 9:15 AM on October 26, 2019

Ping times are terrible though.
posted by carter at 9:24 AM on October 26, 2019 [1 favorite]

I did a poor job of telling this story to my partner, who then asked how the band "The Eagles" could bankrupt a team of Russian scientists.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 10:55 AM on October 26, 2019 [22 favorites]

> how the band "The Eagles" could bankrupt a team of Russian scientists.

Forward them the coke bill, I assume.
posted by ardgedee at 2:54 PM on October 26, 2019 [6 favorites]

They knew all the right people
They avoided windmills
They flew outrageous sorties
They paid heavenly bills
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 8:56 PM on October 26, 2019 [11 favorites]

Well that explains why Gandalf wasn't able to call the Eagles earlier.
posted by Phssthpok at 9:46 PM on October 26, 2019 [11 favorites]

I know what to call The Eagles.

Terrible.
posted by loquacious at 3:53 AM on October 27, 2019

Seems like giant-telco could take one for Science.
posted by j_curiouser at 12:10 PM on October 27, 2019

Seems like giant-telco could take one for Science.

Apparently, after becoming aware of the crowdfunding campaign, they are.

Megafon's offer to bail out the team, reported by RIA Novosti news, means they can continue monitoring the eagles' routes, collecting vital data to help their survival.
posted by Jimbob at 5:55 PM on October 27, 2019 [1 favorite]