Embodiments of the present invention provide a tracking apparatus (100) and method that are operable to efficiently track an animal. The tracking apparatus (100) is operable to be worn by an animal, determine its current geographic location, and transmit information relating to its current geographic location to an external device such as a portable navigation unit (200). The navigation unit (200) is operable to display a representation of the geographic location of the tracking apparatus (100) for consideration by a user.