The Sheep Who Texted Wolf? High-Tech Collars Could Alert Shepherds to Attacks
- Posted on August 6, 2012 at 2:51pm by
Liz Klimas
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(Photo: Steve p2008/Flickr)
Sheep were grazing on a Swiss hillside when one of them texted “wolf.” Is this the beginning of a modern day Aesop’s fable? Perhaps not, but the technology to allow sheep to actually text shepherds of a wolf’s presence could be coming to a pasture near you.
According to PhysOrg, researchers in Switzerland outfitted sheep with experimental collars that monitored heart rate. If the animal’s heart rate reached a certain level, like that which would occur in a threatening situation, a message was sent to the flock’s shepherd. SlashGear speculates the message would go something like “’OMG!! Ewe need to come quick!’”
Researchers found the alert system to be effective in a trial using muzzled dogs and have even suggested using the alert as a trigger that would release a deterrent to drive off the wolves.
Jean-Marc Landry, a biologist who took part in the initial testing with 10 sheep, said this is the first time a system such as this has been used outdoors with flocks.
The collar is continuing testing in Switzerland, France and other European countries.
PhysOrg reports the system would be geared toward smaller operations where shepherds didn’t have a sheepdog to keep tabs on the flock.
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JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 6:33amROTFLMAO! It reminds me of Gary Larson. Remember the one with the lions with walkie -talkies? I can’t take it!
Report Post »kathystone
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:54pmWhen this study comes to the US for trials, don’t use Bakersfield sheep. They won’t care about the wolf but show them a pair of rubber boots…. Bakersfield! Were men are men and sheep are nervouss!
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:50pmPoor sheep. They get no privacy. Can they have a way to override the system in case they were, uh, kind of busy, uh, doing SOMETHING? The shepherds won’t be thinking they are crying “Wolf!“ they will be thinking ”Aw. They’re just at it again.”
Report Post »MikaelScot
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 5:53pmI don’t know. I don‘t think the Shepard’s Union is going to go for this. Then again it may just be an innocent field test for “Minority Report” technology. Do they have a version for liberals that will text “BIGOT!”
Report Post »MikaelScot
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 5:45pmField testing for “Minority Report” Technology?
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