Drones that have the ability to scan zebras like barcodes are set to be used to help track animals in the wild as part of a conservation project in Kenya.
The aerial machines, which have the ability to capture the veins in an animal’s ear from 120 metres above ground are to be used by Hampshire zoo as part of plans to monitor snow leopards and other endangered species.
Field trials have already found that the technology can capture crucial images with enough detail that the animal would not need to be disturbed.
The project – carried out by Marwell Wildlife and the University of Southampton in the UK – will begin by watching snow leopards in Altyn-Emel National Park in Kazakhstan and Grevy’s zebra in Kenya.
Each zebra has its own unique set of black and white stripes which can be used to identify a specific individual within a herd.
Zoologists at Marwell Zoo developed the high-tech unmanned drones with thermal imaging and artificial intelligence to differentiate each animal by their unique coats.
Marwell Wildlife said the drones had already undergone several trials, including two at Hampshire Zoo, which showed the technology can pick up any identifying feature on an animal from spots to stripes, and even to shadows.
Source: msn