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Mobile Phones for Geese and Seals

Posted by timothy on from the roaming-charges-apply dept.

prostoalex writes: "BBC News has two related articles about mobile phones and messaging being introduced to the animal world. The stories, aptly named Geese 'phone' home and Seals 'phone' home (kudos from this-title-is-so-original dept.) talk about 'tagged' animals that report about their location via the cellular systems. And if seal tracking is available only to the scientists in the field, following the geese online is open to anyone who contributes .75 British pounds to the research project."

5 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. You think the technology is impressive.... by quintessent · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just imagine the work required to teach geese to dial the right number.

    --
    Donate background CPU time to fight cancer.
    1. Re:You think the technology is impressive.... by saveth · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You think the technology is impressive.... Just imagine the work required to teach geese to dial the right number.

      At least a goose's beak becomes narrow enough to tap one button on the phone at a time. Think of the seals! How is a seal going to dial?! :)

      Hmm. Voice dial?

  2. What about the penguins! by Caractacus+Potts · · Score: 4, Funny


    I'll contribute 50 pounds if they include penguins in the program. Think of the publicity we'd get with a wired mascot! Oh, how about another 100 if they include a gnu.

  3. Does this have anything to do ... by vrassoc · · Score: 5, Funny
    ...with the sticker on my cell phone that says Warranty void if seal is broken???

  4. Only the seals are using mobile phone tech by ukryule · · Score: 3, Interesting
    The technical info about the Seals is available here. To quote:

    The study will be split into two phases. In phase one, simple mobile phone tags will regularly send text messages from grey seal pups to computers at the University, allowing scientists to examine which factors affect their survival through their first year. In phase two, GPS (Global Positioning System) and depth sensors will be added, allowing, through GPRS, (General Packet Radio Service) massive volumes of detailed track and dive behaviour to be sent ashore.


    However, the Geese are actually using a satellite tracking system (as described in not much detail here). The text message bit is just an advertising thing that the WWT will send you an SMS when they get data - which is nothing new technically.

    I'd be interested in the battery requirements for both of them though - I've got this image in my head of a seal trying to wind up a charger ...