High Tech Comes to the Forests

Wildlife control in forests is becoming more and more tough to manage, due to the rising populations of animals such as boars, deer, and bears, which damage crops and pose threats to human safety as they move out of the mountains and closer to where humans live. Traditional methods of managing animal populations, which rely on the manual labor of aging hunters, are starting to become unsustainable. It's a problem felt particularly in rural Japan.

One major issue is the inefficient and labor-intensive methods currently employed in wildlife control. Hunters have to manually travel to and patrol trap sites, which is not only time-consuming, but also increasingly difficult due to the shortage of skilled personnel.

NTT, in collaboration with VirtualTech Japan, Japan Multi-Hunters, and Odawara Inoshikanet, has developed a communication technology for IoT to change wildlife control forever. A technology that could allow fewer hunters to work more efficiently, safeguard the public and do so in a way that is more humane and sustainable than before.

NTT's tech uses extended low-layer data communication, which strengthens the capabilities of IoT terminals used in wildlife management. The Layer 2 communication protocol, also known as the Data Link Layer, handles local data transfer between devices using MAC (Media Access Control) addresses and frames. It ensures accurate delivery and error detection-you could think of it as being like a neighborhood mail carrier ensuring mail reaches the correct houses efficiently and reliably. By taking advantage of the extended area of existing Layer 2 frames, the technology allows for the collection and transmission of additional data without overloading network resources. What kind of data? Critical information such as device identifiers, locations, statuses, and settings, which are all essential for effective trap management and monitoring.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) test has already been run in the forests of Odawara City, southwest of Tokyo. IoT terminals provided by VirtualTech Japan were installed and integrated with traps managed by Japan Multi-Hunters and Odawara Inoshikanet. The aim was to test the effectiveness of the technology in improving the efficiency of daily trap patrols, which previously depended on manual labor.

Test results were very encouraging. The average time required to locate traps was reduced by 57%, from nearly 33 minutes to just over 14 minutes. Furthermore, the time needed to reinstall inactive traps dropped dramatically from 10 minutes to 1.5 minutes per trap, representing an 85% increase in efficiency. These improvements show the potential of IoT technology to greatly streamline wildlife control operations.

In areas where hunters are scarce, the automated system allows for more frequent and accurate monitoring of traps, reducing the likelihood of animals escaping and causing damage. What's more, the ability to quickly reinstall traps improves the sustainability of wildlife control efforts, meaning that traps can remain functional and effective over extended periods.

It's an efficient and accurate system. More than that, however, it's also humane. By improving the efficiency of wildlife control, the technology reduces the amount of time animals spend in traps. So there's less stress and potential harm to the animals, as they are checked and managed more promptly. And as the IoT system allows for precise monitoring of traps and animal movements, traps are placed and managed in a way that minimizes unnecessary capture or harm to non-target species.

By effectively managing wildlife populations and reducing their impact on human activities, the technology helps to create a harmonious coexistence between humans and animals. This can prevent drastic measures such as culling and help to preserve wildlife populations. Efficient wildlife control also supports conservation efforts by maintaining balanced ecosystems, which means that endangered species are protected and there is less risk of overpopulation of certain species that could disrupt the ecological balance.

NTT's extended low-layer data communication technology is a leap forward for IoT and offers a practical solution to the challenges of wildlife control in rural areas. By reducing the reliance on manual labor and increasing operational efficiency, it not only takes care of current issues, but also offers possibilities for future innovations across multiple industries-think of how IoT sensors might be used to monitor smart city infrastructure, or track medical equipment and monitor environmental conditions in hospitals. The success of NTT's Proof of Concept in Odawara City shows its potential and the benefits of putting advanced IoT solutions into traditional practices for a more sustainable and harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.

For further information, please see this link:
https://group.ntt/en/newsrelease/2024/03/22/240322a.html

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NTT Information Network Laboratory Group
Public Relations
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