Virtual Fencing as a Strategy for Baboon Management

Transcription

1 Virtual Fencing as a Strategy for Baboon Management P. R. K. Richardson, E.C. Conradie, P.A. Olivier, S.C. Rode, B. Loubser, C. Shutte, R.E. Khoury MK I base station Human Wildlife Solutions, phil@hwsolutions.co.za P.O. Box 31150, Tokai, Cape Town, 7966

2 VF is a boundary in the minds of the target animals, like a territorial boundary Territorial boundaries are respected out of Fear of Retribution (Pain or Death) A Virtual Fence requires the creation of a Landscape of Fear Animals Fear: Competitors (neighbouring territory owners) Predators Critical Factors: Virtual Fence (VF) Spatial Predictability Identifiable boundary Temporal Unpredictability Threat can happen at any time Stimulus Unpredictability Variety of Scary Stimuli: predator calls / alarm calls / sounds of dying animals / pyrotechnics Unpredictability and Variety Enhance Scariness and Reduce Chances of Habituation

3 HWS Virtual Fence (VF) Virtual Fence system consists of two complimentary, yet independently operable components: 1. Animal Tracking System Interconnected Network of Radio Relay Stations Real time monitoring of animals (10 min intervals) Zoned Geo-Fence gives early warning of approach 2. Response Units (Action Stations) Predator calls / Alarms / Pyrotechnics (Bangs) Sound deterrent collars in development

4 MK II Action Stations

5 GORDONS BAY STEENBRAS DAM VF Operation satellite Location Remote Display of baboon position on Internet Enabled Smartphone or Computer Gateway Router with GSM Reception Relay station Signal Type GSM (Cellular) 6LoWPAN RF

6 GORDONS BAY STEENBRAS DAM VF Operation satellite Remote Display of baboon position on Smartphone Gateway Router Relay station Location Signal Type GSM (Cellular) 6LoWPAN RF

7 GORDONS BAY Virtual Fence: Line of Action Stations Gateway Router STEENBRAS DAM Location Geo-Fence Zones Relay Station Remote Display on Smartphone of baboon moving through Geo-Fence Zones with 5, 30 or 60min updates Signal Type satellite GSM (Cellular) 6LoWPAN RF

8 GORDONS BAY Virtual Fence: Line of Action Stations Location STEENBRAS DAM VF Operation Visually determined Activation of Base Stations via Hand-held Transmitter Response: Pre-selected Sounds then Bearbangers; Sounds: Alarm calls, Predator roar, Prey being killed, Predators eating. satellite Gateway Router Relay station Signal Type 6LoWPAN RF

9 Gordon s Bay Tracking Data Before VF Activation: 01 Sep Jan 2016 Steenbras Dam Virtual Fence Line False Bay

10 Gordon s Bay Tracking Data 3 weeks after 1 st : 21 Jan 13 Feb th week after 1 st : 14 Feb 21 Feb 2016 Steenbras Dam Virtual Fence Line False Bay

11 2 nd Activation of Gordon s Bay Virtual Fence from Hayley-May Wittridge (Biodiversity Co-ordinator CoCT) after activating VF on 22 February without HWS help for the first time: We just met the baboons in our virtual fence area. Using stealth we set up the boxes and waited. We used them very successfully. On the first try, they high tailed it after only hearing the lion roar. We continued playing the distressed animal and then the noisy chaos sounds. We set off two bangers and a whistle. MK 2 base station set up to protect The Cape Farmhouse Vineyards

12 Gordon s Bay Tracking Data 3 weeks After 2 nd : 22 Feb 10 Mar 2016 Steenbras Dam Virtual Fence Line False Bay

13 Conclusion Near real time coverage (10 min intervals) Interconnected Radio Network via Relay Stations Zoned Geo-Fence alert system Remote response: Bio-Mimicry and Pyrotechnics Cost effective, minimal labour requirements collar lifespan 5 years Aversive Sound Collar in development Remote updates via Gateway

14 END THANK YOU Management operations are endorsed by:

15 Proposed Hermanus Virtual Fence Gateway / Relay Coverage

16 Advantages of HWS Virtual Fence with Geo-Fencing Near real time coverage (Reading = 1 per 10 min vs 1 per 4 hours with traditional ) Battery life ~ 5 years vs ~ 1 year with traditional Contoured Geo-Fence with varying alert times Remote activation of Virtual Fence Responses: Bio-Mimicry and Pyrotechnics Interconnected network of Relay Stations, creating web of coverage over mountainous terrain Cost effective with minimal labour requirements Upgradable with remote updates via Gateway Aversive Sound Collar in development