Wildlife protection was in the agenda ever since the evolution of mankind. Wild animals and plants are considered valuable assets. Even in the early periods of history, nomads hunted animals for food and hide. But at the same time efforts were taken to conserve the wildlife because of the apprehensions that many forms of wild lives may face extinction if hunting continued without proper plans to conserve them. Probably the first decree against reckless killings of wild animals was proclaimed in Britain when King Henry VIII passed an act prohibiting destruction of wild fowl
Throughout the world, Governments and non-government organizations are actively engaged in conservation of wild life. Stringent laws are enacted to protect wile life. Action has been initiated not only to prevent killing of wild animals, birds and all other types of species, but also to protect them from natural hazards like epidemics. It is in this context that surveys are being conducted in every country to assess the number and varieties of wild species and to provide them with necessary support to survive.
But it is not easy to collect details about the wild animals which live in deep forests or mountains. Several methods were adopted to conduct periodical census and to understand the situations prevailing in those natural habitats. Closely and carefully watching the animals and birds with the help of telescopes or binoculars is one such method. Measuring, counting and identifying the footsteps, discarded food and dung or droppings is another method.
In the contemporary world, Global Positioning System is extensively used to asses the types and strength of different wild species. Conservation agencies use GPS enabled devices to monitor movements of animals and birds. The system helps to determine their numbers, breeding patterns, migratory behaviour etc with reliable data. Devices are capable of collecting and storing valuable data which can be retrieved periodically. The satellite enabled system of data collection does not disturb the species unlike human oriented methods of “search and collect” methods. Information about their behaviour can be obtained by using GPS tracking devices which are at times attached to the animals and birds and operated by remote control. Many experiments are also conducted to study the origin of diseases that afflicts the wild lives and to take remedial measures. The spread of avian influenza among migratory birds and epidemics or injuries suffered by wild animals are detected and treated effectively, thanks to the GPS technology.
Related posts: