Technology Saving Endangered Species

"The biggest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." - Robert Swan

Technology affects aspects of our lives as well as the lives of other species all over the world. Most people have heard about the use of microchips to help reunite owners with their lost pets. However; technology is also used to help other less domestic species of animal.

Wild animals that are in close contact with humans become a nuisance by destroying crops and eating other animals. These animals are often killed to avoid further confrontation. Scientists are working to reduce the number of killings by studying the patterns of different species. This smart collar tracks every movement of the animal; whether it is hunting, roaming or just sleeping. Studying the movements of the animal can help better determine when it is most likely to get in contact with humans and how best to avoid it. These collars could also tell by GPS when a dangerous animal is in the area and allow citizens to protect themselves by staying inside.

A book company that most programmers will recognize has started a campaign to raise access of endangered species. O'Reilly animals gives detailed information about the animals they use on their book covers. This information includes a description, threats, as well as related species. Also on the website are ways for technology related people like myself to get involved to save these animals. These include donation of your time, expertise, or money or to organizations who are working to save endangered species.

Sharks are frequently featured as the bad guy in horror movies, but they too are getting evasive measures to save their lives. These SMART hooks are designed to use the sharks high sensitivity to electric fields in the water to protect it. The hooks are magnetic and coated in a special metal coating that produces a voltage in seawater. This voltage is supposed to keep the sharks from getting hooks that are intended for other fish.

As the quote at the beginning says; the biggest threat to our planet is thinking that someone else will save it. If we sit around and do nothing while thousands of animals and species die off we will be left with nothing, and soon there-after I believe we would die off as well. With the advances in technology seemingly anything is possible, we need to put it to good use saving our planet and the species that inhabit it.