Auckland university researchers have written software which
enables a computer to recognise rat footprints from those of
other wildlife, and tell the difference between species of rats.
"By identifying rat species we can understand patterns of
invasion on predator-free islands, or detect new species
entering New Zealand," biologist James Russell said. The
software can be used to read cards left on either side of an
inkpad that pests walk over in tunnels placed in vulnerable
sites such as predator-free islands or cargo crates. Footprint
cards are a cheap method of identifying animals, particularly
ones present in low numbers, or difficult for human observers to
find. The Department of Conservation uses footprint cards but
analyses them manually, and it is difficult for even experts to
differentiate between species with similar-looking footprints.
Automating the footprint identification speeds up the tracking
of invasive animals, and technique can be easily adapted to
monitor other animals. By developing an aut