Reindeers began to equip with GPS sensors to save from predators

At the end of December, 2017 it became known that in Finland also protection against predators began to supply reindeers with sensors for tracking their movements.

According to BBC News, annually up to 10% of the livestock of reindeers living in Lapland (the North of Finland) perishes in road incidents or from attack of wolves, bears and lynxes. To cope with a problem, the Association of reindeer breeders of Finnish Reindeer Herders Association decided to resort to technology of Internet of Things (IoT).

Now put collars with GPS sensors on deer. As practice showed, it is the best of all to supply with trackers an alpha female as reindeer breeders recognize by her location where there is all herd.

In Finland reindeers equipped with GPS sensors to save from predators

Sensors to reindeer breeders were provided by the French supplier of IoT-solutions of Actility, and communication in the remote forests where deer roam, the local telecommunication company Digita which since 2016 develops in Lapland IoT-networks based on LoRaWAN technology provided. Besides, within the IoT-project the Finnish startup of Mapitare created mobile cartographic application. With its help reindeer breeders from the smartphones trace a signal from GPS sensors on animals and learn where the herd moves.

Use of trackers allows reindeer breeders to come to the rescue quickly of wounded animals, and in case of death — precisely to define a cause of death of deer. In 2018 it is supposed to expand the project and to try to include in monitoring also predators, such as lynxes that in case of their approach to herd to warn reindeer breeders.

The head of Association of reindeer breeders of Finland Matti Sarkela emphasized that GPS beacons bring real benefit to reindeer breeders and their wards.

In addition to rescue of animals and confirmation of death in accident for the subsequent indemnification claim, we can constantly monitor deer now that allows to learn more about their habits and learns as cares for them better — he said in an interview to BBC News.[1]

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