Global News - July 2008

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New system could help conservationists monitor rare animals

Tue 01 July 2008 14:00 UK — Africa,Birds

English scientists have unveiled ground-breaking technology that could help biologists and conservationists monitor large numbers of endangered animals without having to capture or disturb them.

The researchers from Bristol University have devised an intelligent, visual surveillance system that can be easily integrated into the habitats of rare animals to monitor their numbers and habits.

Dr Tilo Burghardt and Professor Peter Barham tested their new system on penguins living on Robben Island in South Africa.

They picked these birds because their numbers have declined from more than a million at the start of the last century to fewer than 170,000 today. Robben Island itself supports around 20,000 penguins.

Capturing the unique patterns of black spots on the penguins' chests, the researchers established biometric data that could then be used to identify individuals.

Dr Burghardt explained: "We believe the new technology developed will enable biologists to identify and monitor large numbers of diverse species cheaply, quickly and automatically."

Professor Barham added: "Once achieved, these systems will revolutionise the precision, quantity and quality of population data available to ecologists and conservationists. There will also be an animal welfare benefit since there is no need to expose the animals to the stress of capture, or side-effects of being marked."

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