WI-FI technology is proving a great support in preserving time and resources in one region's strategy to curb wild dogs.
In a current trial, Riverina Local Land Services (LLS) is monitoring Wi-Fi transmitters on two pest animal traps located on a travelling stock reserve at Coolamon, NSW.
This trial was made possible after Goldenfields Water County Council (GWCC) recently added to its innovative Wi-Fi network, developed for remote water metering across the region.
Because the network had room for other services on the system, Riverina LLS was keen to trial transmitters across a number of areas, including pest animal trapping, soil moisture monitoring and stock movements.
GWCC has transmitters capable of monitoring electric fence continuity, soil moisture, temperature and humidity, stock tracking, rainfall, meter reading, movement sensors and animal traps.
By adding smart mapping and a Geographic Information System (GIS) database function, data can be remotely assessed and alerts sent via SMS.
According to Riverina LLS manager Michael Dunn, the use of this technology allows officers to check only animal traps that have been activated.
“An alert is sent directly to the mobile phone of the responsible Local Land Services officer after the transmitter detects the motion of the trapdoor as it closes when an animal takes the bait,” he said.
“It is important that we use all measures possible for identification of pest animal trapping and support the development of more sophisticated approaches.”
In addition to its pest animal trapping trial, in collaboration with Riverina LLS, GWCC is partnering on farm security near Temora, and temperature and humidity monitoring at the Junee Wetlands.
