Poachers beware. A robo-Elk is out there to tempt you into taking a shot. This robotic elk joins robotic deer and a literal menagerie of robotic wildlife in the battle to stop illegal hunting of game. There are robotic wolves and even robotic turkeys. Operated by the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust, the Robotic Decoy Program strives to stop poachers. These robotic game animals are actually remote-controlled taxidermic specimens, so they are very realistic. This story adds to the many robotic animal stories here on RobotNext, even though this may not be considered to be a true robot or even a very advanced robot. It is performing a valuable role as a mechanical stand-in for the real thing. After all, this elk or deer can take a bullet and remain standing. It is definitely saving many wild animals from an illegal hunter’s weapon. You can watch a video of the robotic deer taking fire from some road hunters in this clip from You Tube.
Photo Credit: Oregon State Police
The decoy donated by the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust will help fish and wildlife agents target nighttime or closed-season poachers.
Elk robot to help Ore. officials catch poachers
(author unknown)
Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:52:15 GMT
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