Wildlife conservationists rely heavily on data in their efforts to protect animals, but gathering that data without disturbing the wildlife it’s intended to protect can prove to be a difficult task. In an effort to revitalize the endangered vulture population through captivated breeding, scientists had trouble keeping sensors in the giant bird’s nest to better understand how vultures incubate. So they created a 3-D printed egg filled with sensors that felt and weighed exactly the same as vulture eggs. The vultures tended to the eggs as if it were their own, and conservationists get the precious data they needed from underneath the parent. Similarly, scientists are using drones and improving the technology to track the migration patterns of cranes without disturbing the birds. Researchers are even using autonomous robots that roam the Pacific Ocean to collect data like temperature and salinity, all part of a technological shift that’s improving the relationship between conservationists and animals.
From 3-D printed eggs to drones: How technology is shaping the future of wildlife conservation
More of Today's Solutions
It’s kitten season! How to help overwhelmed shelters manage the influx of kit...
Kitten season has arrived, bringing with it an irresistible wave of feline cuteness. However, behind the scenes, animal rescues and shelters are dealing with ...
Read MoreHow to cut down on your food waste
Cutting down on food waste helps the environment in a number of important ways. Most obviously, it saves the resources and energy that go ...
Read MoreHow to keep an eye on your eye health
As we age, we can become more vulnerable to developing age-related eye conditions, diseases, and vision loss. The best way to stave off, or ...
Read MoreCRISPR-Cas9 may be able to solve obesity
Cases of obesity have been steadily increasing worldwide, especially during the pandemic. Lack of physical activity through more office-based jobs, plus a lack of ...
Read More
