Spot the penguin: non-invasive field biology
Tilo Burghardt, Neill Campbell, Richard Sherley
Our research aims at providing non-invasive solutions to problems of field biology and to better understand and conserve endangered species. Specifically we are developing hardware and software to permit remote monitoring and identification of large populations using techniques that originated in computer vision and human biometrics. Our initial work has been centred around the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus).
We have constructed an autonomously operating prototype system capable of monitoring and recognising individual African penguins in their natural environment without tagging or otherwise disturbing the animals. Currently, we are commissioning a permanent monitoring system on Robben Island for an entire penguin colony of nearly 20,000 individuals.
The Penguin Recognition Project is the flagship project of the COMBINE Research Collaboration at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom. It is conducted together with the Animal Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town , South Africa. The project is funded by the Leverhulme Trust , with long-term support in the field from the Earthwatch Institute , and with pilot tests run in collaboration with Bristol Zoo Gardens.
Find out more at www.spotthepenguin.com.