Sadly we can’t meet in Liverpool today, but still excited to share our #laserfence project results with our Project Officer and Monitor via zoom.@lifeprogramme @LJMU @IRIS_UAV @BirdControlG @Gameandwildlife pic.twitter.com/oVWNSZCIOf
— Volterra Ecosystems (@Volterra_ecosys) September 22, 2020
Over the past few months IRIS has continued to travel to As Neves to record data captured by trap cameras installed at the entrance of the estate.
IRIS has taken care of completely clearing the terrain to avoid false positives in the trap chambers (the grass, moved by the wind, activated the infrared sensors). This has made it possible to obtain clear results in a more efficient way.
Contrary to what had been happening from February to June, the trend in the number of individuals detected is growing. That is, a greater number of animal entries are being recorded on the farm (especially wild boars). It is normal that, in the driest months of the year, wild boars risk moving lower areas in search of food. In addition, they are greatly attracted to the abundant maize crops of neighboring agricultural areas.
IRIS continues the experiment with the autonomous blue laser on the as Neves estate in Galicia.
The reduction in the number of animals detected is real. The number of individuals entering the laser test plot each month is smaller. Although no instantaneous response has been detected in animals such as foxes or wild boars, the permanent incidence of the laser at night (the period of increased activity of these specimens) may be having an effect.
It is important to prolong the test to certify it.
On the other hand, the number of false positives collected by trap chambers is increasing due to vegetation growth. In the following weeks, the laser work area will be cleared.
Following the final conference, held in March, in Liverpool, the drone company IRIS has continued to take daily data on the plot it has installed in Galicia. Since February, there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of animals detected in the test area. This reduction may be due to a change in animal behavior or because the presence of the laser has some influence on them. Of course, IRIS will continue to take data to resolve this question!
