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New project trials drones to monitor giraffe populations in Cameroon
Modern technologies can be used to more accurately measure endangered species populations and guide conservation action.

Collaboration to bolster wildlife monitoring strategies

A joint team from the University of Bristol and the Bristol Zoological Society (BZS) are working to develop a new approach to wildlife monitoring and conservation, using machine-learning and drone technology.

In December of last year, a joint team flew to Bénoué National Park in Cameroon, to trial the use of drones and sensor technologies to monitor the critically endangered Kordofan giraffe. The area is approximately 1,600km2 and much of it is practically inaccessible on foot, presenting a increased challenge for wildlife monitoring.

“There has been a significant and drastic decline recently of larger mammals in the park and it is vital that accurate measurements of populations can be established to guide our conservation actions,” said Dr Gráinne McCabe, head of field conservation and science at Bristol Zoological Society.

The team approached Dr Matt Watson from the University of Bristol’s School of Earth Sciences, and Dr Tom Richardson, senior lecturer in flight mechanics and member of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL), for assistance in devising the best strategy for airborne wildlife monitoring.

Dr Richardson said: “It is likely that we will need more than one type of drone, and several different sensors to allow us to operate 24 hours a day and throughout the year. Modern multispectral cameras combined with machine learning and high-performance vehicles will need to be fully automated to cover an area of this size. Combine that with remote, constrained field operations and we have an interesting set of engineering problems to tackle.”

Teams from across these sectors are now working to create a large-scale proposal to develop the technologies necessary for tackling this challenge. They plan to return to Cameroon in early 2021.

Dr Watson added: “A machine learning based system that we develop for the Kordofan giraffe will be applicable to a range of large mammals. Combine that with low-cost aircraft systems capable of automated deployment without the need for large open spaces to launch and land, and we will be able to make a real difference to conservation projects worldwide.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.