The nature of inventions: How technologies help in saving animals

According to the UN Environment Programme in 2010, every 24 hours, 150 to 200 species of plants, insects, birds, and mammals die out on Earth. They claim that this rate is a thousand times higher than the rate of natural extinction. A 2019 UN report notes that approximately 1 million species of animals and plants are at risk of extinction in the coming decades. A study by the University of Arizona has shown that in 50 years, one-third of all plant and animal species could disappear.

Scientists are increasingly turning to modern technologies to save animals from extinction and invest their time and expertise in developing gadgets for remote tracking of animals, analyzing their habitat, and better understanding population dynamics.

Mapping and visualization

Google Earth has proven itself to be more than just a way to create maps or plot routes. It has become a tool for preserving endangered species. Thanks to Google Earth, scientists have discovered previously unknown representatives of flora and fauna, and endangered animals are now monitored by conservation organizations. Environmentalists use Google Earth software as a mapping and visualization tool.

Google Earth has become a tool for preserving endangered species and their habitats (Photo: Pexels)

“Smart” collars

In 2014, biologists got their hands on “smart” collars that use GPS and accelerometer technologies (a device for measuring acceleration). These devices were developed by scientists from the University of California. With the help of the gadget, you can not only track the location of wild animals, but also record the nature of their movements (who and when they hunt). Researchers hope that the new device will help thoroughly study certain species of animals and even learn to predict their behavior (in order to reduce conflicts between people and representatives of the natural world).

Smart collar with GPS technology and accelerometer on a puma (Photo: pnas.org)

Text alerts

Another version of the smart collar is used in research work with elephants in Kenya. The invention is used to prevent conflicts between people and animals. The collars put on elephants are equipped with a SIM card that can send text messages indicating the location of the animal. The developers expect that such devices will warn local farmers about elephants approaching their fields.

A smart collar is used in research work with elephants in Kenya (Photo: World Wildlife)

Remote video and photography

It can be difficult for researchers to get close to representatives of the natural world without giving away their presence. Thanks to mobile-controlled cameras like the BeetleCam, which was invented by photographer Will Burrard-Lucas, it has become easier to conduct research and obtain unique, high-quality images.

BeetleCam by Will Burrard-Lucas (Photo: Willbl)

Remote Sound Monitoring

A new computer technology created by scientists from the University of Oregon allows you to listen to the sounds made by several birds at the same time and determine which species are present in a certain location and how they respond to environmental degradation or climate change. The invention could provide an automated approach to monitoring birds, replacing field research for scientists. The developers believe that the technology could be useful for studying not only birds, but also other representatives of the fauna (including insects, frogs, and marine mammals).

Listening technology could be useful in bird and animal research (Photo: Pexels)

Remote sampling

A group of scientists from the Zoological Society of London have come up with a way to take samples from whales for research using a small remote-controlled helicopter. The researchers proposed a non-invasive method: Petri dishes are attached to the bottom of the helicopter, and then the aircraft hovers in the air above the whale. When it releases air through the breathing hole on its back, the cups collect the gases and mucus released by the animal. The helicopter then returns to the scientists, and they are able to analyze the samples.

The invention will be able to collect the necessary samples when whales exhale (Photo: Pexels)

High-tech fishing hooks

The American company Shark Defense has invented the SMART (Selective Magnetic and Repellent-Treated) repellent hook to save sharks from fishing nets. This hook is coated with a special metal that creates an electromagnetic field when in contact with sea water. It confuses the sharks’ sensory systems, and the fish try to stay away from the hook.

The fact is that a number of commercial fishermen use longline fishing, when a series of hooks with bait are attached to one main horizontal line, the length of which can be from 32 to 64 km. When catching tuna, sharks get caught in such nets. They are damaged by the lines or bite off the bait along with the hook, receiving injuries. Shark Defense claims that their invention will help reduce the number of sharks caught in this way by 94%. The SMART hook does not require a power source and costs only a little more than a regular fishing tackle.

SMART hook helps protect sharks (Photo: echo.net.au)

Gene sequencing

When endangered species are threatened by disease, healthy individuals need to be isolated to preserve the possibility of further reproduction. Scientists are already using high-tech devices for gene sequencing (studying the sequence) to save the Tasmanian devil from the contagious cancer DFTD.

Tasmanian Devil (Photo: Pexels)

Bee Hive Fences

The problem of elephants destroying farmers’ crops in Africa may be solved thanks to the honey bee and some innovative thinking. Experiments have shown that a fence made of beehives connected by wires is effective in protecting crops from elephant raids.

Farmers hang beehives at a certain distance from each other by hanging them on ropes. When an elephant tries to pass through the rope fence, the hives shake and bees fly out. African honey bees are aggressive and sting elephants in sensitive areas, including behind the ears and around the eyes.

Beehive fence (Photo: amusingplanet.com)

Remote Sensing Tools

It can be difficult and dangerous for marine fauna researchers to get close to sharks. This problem can be solved by a system of special stereo cameras with two or more lenses that imitate human binocular vision and allow capturing three-dimensional images. With their help, scientists can take measurements with great accuracy without actually contacting the animal.

Stereo camera system (Photo: coralreefpalau.org)

Research drones

Scientists are using drones to map deforestation and count orangutans and other endangered species in northern Sumatra, an island in Indonesia. The unmanned aerial vehicle is equipped with cameras, special sensors and a GPS system. The $2,000 invention can be used for both short-term monitoring and long-term changes in the study area. Most of these drones have the ability to transmit data and video in real time.

An unmanned aerial vehicle with cameras, sensors, and GPS (Photo: blog.mdpi.com)

Predictive analytics

IBM has developed software for predictive analytics. It analyzes the information that scientists collect in the field. We are talking about surveys of people: the data obtained is often voluminous and complex, which is why powerful software is needed to analyze it. For example, researchers survey nomadic shepherds about zebras. They are asked questions about their attitude towards the animals and what they consider the main threat to zebras, as well as where they have seen the animals.

This software helps to identify trends and patterns — for example, how factors such as a person’s age or level of education affected the respondent’s attitude towards a particular animal. Or, for example, scientists have found that one of the main reasons for hunting zebras is that local residents produce medicine from their fat. If pastoral communities had access to modern medicines, the need for hunting would be significantly reduced, the researchers noted.

Scientists believe that this software will help in preserving wildlife. By understanding the main threats that the species faces, people will be able to focus limited conservation resources on specific areas.

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