Protecting Livestock from Predators: The Role of Robot Ranch Hands
Introduction:
Livestock predation by coyotes is a significant issue leading to a substantial number of deaths each year. To address this problem, researchers conducted a study using a remote-controlled vehicle equipped with powerful lights. The results showed promising deterrence, suggesting a potential future where robot ranch hands could patrol at night. In the study, different scenarios were tested, including motion-activated deterrent lights and adaptive movement. The team found that the adaptive movement test was the most effective, with a majority of meals remaining untouched. Although building autonomous weatherproof vehicles presents challenges, simpler vehicles roaming livestock grounds could be a viable solution. The study highlights the need for further development in this area.
Full Article: Protecting Livestock from Predators: The Role of Robot Ranch Hands
Study Finds Remote-Controlled Vehicle with Powerful Lights Can Deter Predatory Coyotes
Livestock farmers may soon have a new tool to protect their animals from coyote predation. Researchers at the USDA National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) Utah Field Station have successfully tested a remote-controlled vehicle equipped with powerful lights to deter coyotes while minimizing harm to the predators.
Coyote predation poses a significant threat to livestock, leading to thousands of deaths each year. In 2022 alone, over 9,000 adult cows and calves, as well as over 6,000 adult sheep and lambs, were killed by coyotes in the US, according to the US Department of Agriculture. To address this problem, researchers conducted a study to explore automated solutions that could effectively deter coyotes without increasing the loss of animal life.
The study involved a captive colony of coyotes at the USDA NWRC Utah Field Station. In each scenario, commercially prepared food was placed as bait in the middle of the animal enclosures. The researchers tested two different approaches: using stationary commercially available motion-activated deterrent lights called Foxlights, and mounting these lights on a remote-controlled vehicle that patrolled the area around the bait.
The team also incorporated adaptive movement in the final trial, actively steering the remote-controlled vehicle towards the coyotes when they approached the food. If the coyotes retreated, the vehicle returned to its base. If they didn’t, the researchers continued steering the vehicle at the animals until they moved away from the bait zone.
The results showed incremental improvements with each scenario. In the light-only test, only five out of 39 meals went uneaten. The test with the vehicles circling around the bait every three minutes resulted in 12 out of 21 meals remaining untouched. However, the most successful approach was the adaptive movement test, where 15 out of 18 meals were left uneaten when the cars were actively directed towards the coyotes.
According to the researchers, the movement of the deterrent vehicle towards the coyotes seemed to keep them “on edge” or off-balance. This finding supports further development of vehicles with adaptive movement capabilities. However, building autonomous weatherproof vehicles capable of machine learning poses technological and economic challenges. Instead, the researchers propose exploring simpler vehicles that could roam livestock grounds, similar to robot vacuums. This approach effectively doubled the effectiveness of the stationary system tested.
The study involved collaboration between scientists from the NWRC, Colorado State University, The Society for the Preservation of Endangered Carnivores and their International Ecological Study, the University of Washington, and Krebs Livestock. The findings and methodology are detailed in a paper published in the journal PeerJ.
In conclusion, the use of a remote-controlled vehicle with powerful lights as a deterrent for coyote predation shows promising results. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize livestock protection, providing a safe and effective solution while minimizing harm to predators. Further research and technological advancements are needed to develop robust and cost-effective vehicles for widespread implementation.
Summary: Protecting Livestock from Predators: The Role of Robot Ranch Hands
Researchers have conducted a study using a remote-controlled vehicle equipped with powerful lights to protect livestock from coyotes. The solution was successful, suggesting that robot ranch hands could be used for night patrol in the future. Predation by coyotes causes a significant number of livestock deaths each year, and the study aimed to find a way to deter the predators without causing harm. Various scenarios were tested, and the use of adaptive movement by steering the vehicle towards the coyotes proved to be the most effective method. The research highlights the potential for developing mobile deterrents to protect livestock from predation.
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