SENSOR activated buzzers, military grade drones and thermal imaging technology may sound like props for a movie but these new technologies are being used to help reduce wild dog numbers across the Southern Downs.
Recently Southern Downs Regional Council installed buzzers at grids in the rabbit barrier fence on Palgrove Lane and Goldfields Road near Stanthorpe in a bid to scare feral animals away.
“When a wild dog comes past the grid buzzers a loud siren sounds and flashing lights are activated, with the aim of turning the dog back the way it came,“ SDRC pest management officer Craig Magnussen said.
Council uses a range of strategies to reduce the impact of wild dogs on farming land and the environment and was recently approached by a private company to test sophisticated, military grade drones and thermal imaging technology to detect feral animals.
“Council is still in discussions about this new initiative and will research the idea in the new year,” Mr Magnussen said.
“Wild dogs are a costly burden on local communities, reducing income for landholders which means less money, people and services in our region. They are also carriers of diseases which can affect humans.“
