CARDyAL: Cooperative Aerodynamics and Radio-based DYnamic Animal Localisation
Lead Research Organisation:
Royal Veterinary College
Department Name: Comparative Biomedical Sciences CBS
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Publications
Abrahms B
(2017)
Suite of simple metrics reveals common movement syndromes across vertebrate taxa.
in Movement ecology
Abrahms B
(2016)
Does wildlife resource selection accurately inform corridor conservation?
in Journal of Applied Ecology
Alting B
(2021)
The characteristics and consequences of African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) den site selection
in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
Bailey I
(2012)
Group hunting within the Carnivora: physiological, cognitive and environmental influences on strategy and cooperation
in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
Bartlam-Brooks H
(2020)
There and back again - a zebra's tale.
in The Journal of experimental biology
Bennitt E
(2019)
Terrestrial mammalian wildlife responses to Unmanned Aerial Systems approaches.
in Scientific reports
Bennitt E
(2019)
Possible causes of divergent population trends in sympatric African herbivores.
in PloS one
Chisholm S
(2019)
Parsimonious test of dynamic interaction.
in Ecology and evolution
Curtin NA
(2018)
Remarkable muscles, remarkable locomotion in desert-dwelling wildebeest.
in Nature
| Description | We developed very lightweight sensing devices capable of accurate geographical localisation of a moving animal in their normal social and ecological environment. We used those devices to measure the changing relative location of animals in a range of different contexts for which GPS is insufficient (birds flying in flocks or formations, packs of dogs moving and changing position rapidly, flocks of sheep returning from a pen to a grazing location by a self-selected route). We related that dynamic behaviour to mechanisms and functions of co-operation, aerodynamics, energetics, social biology and disease transmission. We are now applying the information learned about organisation and the behaviour of individuals within social groups to technological applications including efficient flight strategies for unmanned air vehicles; search/hunt strategies etc. Key findings have been published about: The aerodynamic mechanism based on flap phasing underlying the benefits of why ibises fly in a V formation; That African Wild Dogs in mixed savannah woodland habitat of southern Africa use short, opportunistic chases rather than co-ordinated endurance hunting strategies; The ranging behaviour of domestic cats and the hunting dynamics of cheetahs. |
| Exploitation Route | Current and future research will build on the technological developments and key findings from this project. The findings have contributed |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism |
| URL | http://www.rvc.ac.uk/about/our-people/alan-wilson#tab-projects |
| Description | Examples with demonstrable impact. 1. Direct force and pressure measurements of animal wings (2002, 2005, 2009) Findings: high-lift aerodynamic mechanisms are stable and attributable to 3-dimensional flow phenomena rather than unsteadiness (consider 'bumblebees can't fly!'). High lifts associated with high drag: slow insect and bird flight highly inefficient in aerodynamic terms; implies other physical (inertia) or physiological (muscle) constraints. Impact Widely cited in design of flapping Micro Air Vehicles, and for validation of computational methods in biomimetic applications. 2. Aerodynamics of free-flying flocks (2011, 2014) Finding: some birds improve aerodynamic efficiency flying in a flock (ibis in a V-formation; wingbeat phasing); others (pigeons) suffer a cost. Impact Data subsequently shared with NASA: '... your data set was one of the finest pieces of work I have seen in a long time...' - Chief Scientist at NASA's Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center: Albion.h.bowers@nasa.gov Very large media coverage: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v505/n7483/nature12939/metrics |
| First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | Great British Bioscience Festival |
| Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2014 |
| End | 03/2015 |
| Description | Botswana Predator Conservation Trust |
| Organisation | Botswana Predator Conservation Trust |
| Country | Botswana |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We collaborated with a conservation and research organisation conducting research in the field area of interest. We provided expertise and technology that enabled them to improve and extend their data sets (quality and quantity) and analyses and co-authored high-impact publications, benefitting the careers of their research staff. |
| Collaborator Contribution | They provided research infrastructure, local expertise and a set up operational study system. Their expertise in the behavioural ecology of the study species improved the analysis and interpretation of data sets and the resulting co-authored papers. |
| Impact | The collaboration involves biomechanics and associated technologies on our side and behavioural ecology on theirs. Publications resulted from the collaboration, all specified under the appropriate section elsewhere. |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | CCB |
| Organisation | Cheetah Conservation Botswana |
| Country | Botswana |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Data collection, analysis and interpretation. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to field site infrastructure, logistics support, access to a known study population and expertise in its behavioural ecology. |
| Impact | Publications detailed in the relevant section have resulted from this collaboration. This is a multi-disciplinary collaboration involving biomechanics (including tools and technologies) and behavioural ecology. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | BBC Big Cats |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Prime time slot on high profile BBC1 nature documentary focusing on how scientists study wild cats. Audience estimated at 6 million. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09pzcg9/big-cats-series-1-episode-3 |
| Description | BBC Horizon television series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I devised the experiment, designed and made the tracking technology and presented the science for the BBC Horizon "Secret Life of the Cat" series. The success of the series, which reached over 6 million viewers, resulted in a second series "Cat Watch 2014". This has been a huge hit with the public audience and has resulted in a greater public understanding of science and animal behaviour. One primary school requested support to teach a pupil-led science investigation based on our cheetah work. We prepared a presentation for the teacher to use as the basis for a lesson and also had a Skype chat between the class and a researcher after the lesson so they could discuss what they had learned and ask questions. A second primary school requested help so they could carry out a pupil-led cat tracking project of their own. Both of these activities have led to us developing more materials based on our research projects for use as school teaching resources. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04lcqvq |
| Description | Cheltenham Science Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | By presenting cutting edge science to a young audience we inspire them with a desire to study science subjects at school and to consider a career in science. The talks were very interactive and engaging and successfully conveyed the message that science is cool, interesting and fun. Response and feedback Over 88% of adult visitors felt inspired by the festival, while the schools visits received a lot of positive feedback, in particular the Running, Jumping, Flying talk from the RVC - see comments below. "The children were really inspired and wanted to visit again. Parents have told us how much the children talked about their days at home. We were impressed with the information they retained. Keep up the good work!" Teacher Comments Cheltenham Schools Programme2014 "The speaker (Prof A Wilson) was excellent. He allowed for the children to ask questions as he went through and engaged them throughout. There was also opportunity to ask lots of questions at the end, which the children really enjoyed." - KS3 Teacher, attending Running Jumping, Flying session "The hands-on activities in the Discover Zone were just wonderful - the children learnt without even realising!" Teacher Comment 2014 Alan Wilson and his team inspired many school children with their talks at the Cheltenham Festival and made important links with both the BBC and festival team, to enable future outreach activity. The showcasing of the RVC work has also sparked some interest in the BBC Learning team which could lead to future opportunities to engage the public. Teachers reported a very high level of interest in the subject matter from pupils. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/science/science-in-the-square/bbc-science-zone/friday-6-june-2/ru... |
| Description | Public engagement event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Night at the Vet College is free public event to engage the public with the work of the Royal Veterinary College. The theme of this event was 'Cats'. Around 700 visitors listened to a talk by Professor Alan Wilson on his wildlife research and the technology he has developed to track and investigate the athletic performance, ranging and behaviour of large African carnivores (including lions, leopards and cheetahs) and their prey. Following the talk, there was a 'meet the scientists' opportunity to handle the kit, ask questions of the researchers and discuss aspects of interest to members of the public. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |