System and method of monitoring an animal

A system and method for monitoring an animal is disclosed. In particular, an ingestible bolus configured to be maintained in the stomach of an animal is disclosed where the bolus comprises a sensor to monitor physiological and other characteristics of the animal. The bolus comprises a data transmitter in wireless communication with a base station and/or transponder in communication with a base station. Within the animal stomach, the bolus may be generally disposed in either a first orientation or second orientation. The base station and/or transponder comprises a plurality of antennae each having an orientation corresponding to a likely orientation of the bolus within the animal in order to reduce the power requirements of the bolus and increase its operational range. The base station may be configured to receiving incoming signals on each of the antennae and may combine the signals into a single input signal.