 |
|
Tracking tigers in 3-D
March 13, 2009New software developed with help from the Wildlife Conservation Society will allow tiger researchers to rapidly identify individual animals by creating a three-dimensional model using photos taken by remote cameras. The software, described in an issue of the journal Biology Letters, may also help identify the origin of tigers from confiscated skins.
The new software, developed by Conservation Research Ltd., creates a 3D model from scanned photos using algorithms similar to fingerprint-matching software used by criminologists.
The study's authors include Lex Hiby of Conservation Research Ltd., Phil Lovell of the Gatty Marine Laboratory's Sea Mammal Research Unit, and Narendra Patil, N. Samba Kumar, Arjun N. Gopalaswamy and K. Ullas Karanth all of the Wildlife Conservation Society's India Program.
Researchers currently calculate tiger populations by painstakingly reviewing hundreds of photos of animals caught by camera "traps" and then matching their individual stripe patterns, which are unique to each animal. Using a formula developed by renowned tiger expert Ullas Karanth of WCS, researchers accurately estimate local populations by how many times individual tigers are "recaptured" by the camera trap technique.
It is expected that the new software will allow researchers to rapidly identify animals, which in turn could speed up tiger conservation efforts.
"This new software will make it much easier for conservationists to identify individual tigers and estimate populations," said Ullas Karanth, Senior Conservation Scientist at the Wildlife Conservation Society and one of the study's co-authors. "The fundamentals of tiger conservation are knowing how many tigers live in a study area before you can start to measure success."
The study's authors found that the software, which can be downloaded for free at: www.conservationresearch.co.uk, was up to 95 percent accurate in matching tigers from scanned photos. Researches were also able to use the software to identify the origin of confiscated tiger skins based on solely on photos. Development of the software was funded through a Panthera project in collaboration with WCS.
Facilities for obtaining the images used for the construction of the three-dimensional surface model were provided by the Thrigby Hall Zoo, Norfolk, England. Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore and the Wildlife Conservation Society, India Program provided images, local resources and staff time for this study, which was supported in part by a grant from the Liz Claiborne / Art Ortenberg Foundation.
Wildlife Conservation Society
Researchers currently calculate tiger populations by painstakingly reviewing hundreds of photos of animals caught by camera "traps" and then matching their individual stripe patterns, which are unique to each animal. Using a formula developed by renowned tiger expert Ullas Karanth of WCS, researchers accurately estimate local populations by how many times individual tigers are "recaptured" by the camera trap technique.
It is expected that the new software will allow researchers to rapidly identify animals, which in turn could speed up tiger conservation efforts.
"This new software will make it much easier for conservationists to identify individual tigers and estimate populations," said Ullas Karanth, Senior Conservation Scientist at the Wildlife Conservation Society and one of the study's co-authors. "The fundamentals of tiger conservation are knowing how many tigers live in a study area before you can start to measure success."
The study's authors found that the software, which can be downloaded for free at: www.conservationresearch.co.uk, was up to 95 percent accurate in matching tigers from scanned photos. Researches were also able to use the software to identify the origin of confiscated tiger skins based on solely on photos. Development of the software was funded through a Panthera project in collaboration with WCS.
Facilities for obtaining the images used for the construction of the three-dimensional surface model were provided by the Thrigby Hall Zoo, Norfolk, England. Centre for Wildlife Studies, Bangalore and the Wildlife Conservation Society, India Program provided images, local resources and staff time for this study, which was supported in part by a grant from the Liz Claiborne / Art Ortenberg Foundation.
Wildlife Conservation Society
Wildlife Conservation Current Events and Wildlife Conservation News RSSAfrica's rarest monkey had an intriguing sexual past, DNA study confirms
The most extensive DNA study to-date of Africa's rarest monkey reveals that the species had an intriguing sexual past. Of the last two remaining populations of the recently discovered kipunji, one population shows evidence of past mating with baboons while the other does not.
New study provides insight on energy development and sage-grouse habitat in the intermountain West
A study released October 14th in the current issue of the peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE will shed new light on oil and gas development potential in the Intermountain West.
Whale-sized genetic study largest ever for southern hemisphere humpbacks
After 15 years of research in the waters of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the American Museum of Natural History, and an international coalition of organizations have unveiled the largest genetic study of humpback whale populations ever conducted in the Southern Hemisphere.
World will miss 2010 target to stem biodiversity loss, experts say
The world will miss its agreed target to stem biodiversity loss by next year, according to experts convening in Cape Town for a landmark conference devoted to biodiversity science.
Oil and wildlife don't mix in Ecuador's Eden
What harm can a simple road do in a pristine place such as Ecuador's Yasuni National Park, home to peccaries, tapirs, monkeys and myriad other wildlife species?
Arctic oil: A boon for nest predators
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other groups reveals how oil development in the Artic is impacting some bird populations by providing "subsidized housing" to predators, which nest and den around drilling infrastructure and supplement their diets with garbage - and nesting birds.
Research recommends compromise when choosing conservation site
A lot of variables come into play when selecting a site for environmental conservation that yields benefits to people nearby such as wildlife needs, species and vegetation uniqueness, and costs to the government or community.
Tiny pump means pain relief for big cats
Veterinarians from the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo and the University of Tennessee have found a solution to the challenge of providing effective pain relief to some of their most difficult patients: big cats.
WCS study on birds and streams included in federal guidelines to safeguard waterways
The results of a Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) study that rapidly measures stream habitat have been adopted by a government agency working with private landowners to restore waterways throughout the U.S.
New hope for fisheries on the horizon?
Scientists have joined forces in a groundbreaking assessment on the status of marine fisheries and ecosystems.
More Wildlife Conservation Current Events and Wildlife Conservation News Articles
 |
Wildlife Ecology, Conservation and Management by Anthony R. E. Sinclair (Author), John M. Fryxell (Author), Graeme Caughley (Author) This extensively revised new edition of Wildlife Ecology, Conservation, and Management provides a succinct and clear introduction to general ecological principles, and then goes on to show how those principles can be applied to wildlife management and conservation. The unique feature of this book is that general ecology is explained first, allowing those students who do not have an ecology background to get to grips quickly with applications to real world situations. This said, the book is appropriate to both undergraduate and graduate classes in applied ecology, conservation, and natural resource management. The book will also be valuable to professional wildlife biologists in developing their research and management. This edition includes new chapters on foraging and on... |
 |
John Denver - The Wildlife Concert Starring: John Denver Directed By: Jeb Brien Also With: David Williams (Editor), Ralph Scaglione (Editor), Allen Kelman (Producer), Andy Kadison (Producer), David Stallbaumer (Producer), Elizabeth Lee (Producer), Eric Trigg (Producer), Gary Pacheco (Producer), Harold Thau (Producer), Maxim Langstaff (Producer), Stephen Herman (Producer) Denver sings rocky mountain high and other favorites in this acclaimed benefit performance. Studio: Sony Music Release Date: 09/10/2002 Starring: John Denver Run time: 120 minutes Rating: Nr |
|
Conservation Land Management by British Wildlife Publishing English Nature's way of encouraging land managers to practice nature conservation - no lectures, just useful advice from fellow practitioners. Articles focus on the problems of managing different sites, using case studies to suggest practical solutions. | |
 |
1972 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION #1467a Plate Block of 4 x 8 cents US Postage Stamps On September 20, 1972 in Warm Springs Oregon, the USPS issued this Se-Tenant to stress the importance of wildlife conservation. While the Alaska Fur Seal, the Cardinal, and the Brown Pelican are not necessarily endangered, in the mid-1970s, there were fewer than 20,000 Bighorn Sheep. This issue points out the fact that wildlife conservation should be a major concern. |
 |
8.5 Inch Plush Meerkat Conservation Collectible By Wildlife Artists by Wildlife Artists This cuddly meerkat has soft fur and brown eyes. He measures 8.5" tall and is part of the Conservation Collectibles by Wildlife Artists. |
|
Womens World Wildlife Fund WWF SAVE THE GIRAFFE T-Shirt, Small by Vintage Wear | |
 |
Wildlife & Conservation Volunteering: The Complete Guide (Bradt Travel Guide) by Peter Lynch (Author) From student backpackers who lose sleep over the plight of pandas, to merchant bankers seeking a holiday that gives meaning to their money, the market for ‘voluntourism’ is booming. But should one camp out with underprivileged orangutans, or live it up a luxury eco-lodge? This ground-breaking guide dissects volunteering market—with a special focus on wildlife and environmental conservation—and helps prospective volunteers to find a genuine eco-friendly, conservation-focused experience.
|
 |
Conservation Guide to: Landscaping for Wildlife Also With: Natural History Division/MDC (Primary Contributor) Video tape producted by the Missouri Department of Conservation on how to landscape for wildlife. You can attract and enjoy birds, butterflies, and mammals and more by turning your backyard into a rich home for wildlife. |
 |
Wildlife Conservation Nathan Chance (Primary Contributor) |
 |
The Last Refuge (1890-1915) Also With: PBS (Producer) |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |