#i got all the way through that picture before i remembered tauros dont have ears

[professor-amaryllis]

Hi, can I ask 2 questions about the tagged pokemon thing? I don't really know a lot about the conservation and research field.

1. What is the best way to tell if a pokemon is tagged beforehand?

2. What should you do if a tagged pokemon starts following you? Asking because that is how I got my vulpix and I figure it must happen sometimes.

Sincerely, Aurora (@unown-history)

Yes! i love when people ask questions, it's always better to be informed. Plus i suppose answering questions IS a part of my job as a professor :)

So, on smaller pokemon, we try to use Collar GPS tags when possible. It's the least invasive sort of tag and the easiest for humans to spot as well! These are usually Black, White, or Orange depending on what we feel will be most visible (or honestly what we have sometimes, funding isn't always the best.) Here's a stantler that we caught on a trail cam just outside the city:

For Bigger where collars arent really possible pokemon we Usually do ear or spike tags, these pierce all the way through and are secured on either side, Brokehorn has one of these in his ear, though it was obscured in the photo. they work like this :

They're usually paired with regular plastic tags to make them more visible but we know that's not always enough, wich is why it's only illegal to not immediately release a tagged pokemon rather than to catch one in the first place.

Tiny pokemon who can't wear the collars is where it's harder to finagle. We basically just tape them on with brightly colored, pokemon safe tape, and usually mark another spot with the tape as well. These types of tags need changed more often though so it is a pain (and you loose more of them...)

For your second question! If a Tagged pokemon starts following you, report it to a local ranger! Theres a good chance that if the pokemon is deemed too human socialized it'll be removed from the tag program, and possibly pulled from the wild if it seems like it could be a threat to people. If this happens anf you're interested in them as a partner, talk to a local ranger and they should be able to guide your next steps.