GB2448528A

GB2448528A - An electronic system to prevent access of an otter to a body of water

Info

Publication number: GB2448528A
Application number: GB0707558A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Gray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-19
Filing date: 2007-04-19
Publication date: 2008-10-22
Also published as: GB0707558D0

Abstract

An electronic system comprising a radio transmitter C connected to an insulated conductor cable B which serves as a radiating aerial. The cable is supported by electrically insulated posts E at a height of about 30 centimetres above the ground. The cable is placed in position round a body of water which it is intended to protect. In use, an otter which is tagged with a radio receiver A, is subjected to an increasing level of distress as it gets nearer to the transmitter cable. The distress may be in the form of radio frequency burn, an electric shock, sound, or vibration, all produced by the device placed on the otter's body in a suitable anatomical location. The animal is thus deterred from approaching the water which is to be protected, thus protecting the fish stocks therein.

Description

i-2448528

OTFER PROXIMITY DETECTION AND PREDATION PROTECTION SYSTEM

This invention relates to an otter proximity detection and predation protection system.

The use of fencing to protect fish stocks is considered to be the only viable long-term method of protection against otter predation. Although practical, fencing does have many disadvantages, examples being, maintenance, unsightliness, barring access to water of other wildlife, unsuitability for certain borders such as those comprising hedges, bushes, small trees, high banks, etc. Also, fencing is only suitable for protecting ponds and lakes but is not suitable for protecting rivers.

As the population of otters is relatively small and their habitat well know it is possible for otters to be trapped periodically and tagged by pennitted personnel. Also, it is relatively easy to trap and tag otters that visit fishing waters suffering from predation.

The otter proximity detection and predation protection system herein described causes an otter to become unacceptably distressed when ft nears water where fish stocks have been protected, thus deterring the otter from entering the water to hunt and catch fish.

The otter experiences unacceptable distress from a passive electronic device tagged to the otter's body in a suitable anatomical location when the passive electronic device becomes activated by the close proximity of an alternating electromagnetic field.

The level of distress caused to the otter by the active electronic device is dependent on the strength of the alternating electromagnetic field. For example, the closer the active electronic device is to the alternating electromagnetic field energy source, the greater the distress to the otter.

The source of the alternating electromagnetic field is from a radiating electrical conductor cable encircling the water to be protected. As the electrical conductor cable is being used as an alternating electromagnetic field radiator it can be electrically insulated and only needs to be raised a short distance above ground for it to be an effective radiator and otter deterrent. These two factors make the electrical radiating conductor installation more advantageous than fencing.

A detailed description of the otter proximity detection and predation protection system is provided using reference to the drawing in Figure 1 of page 1/1.

The otter proximity detection and predation protection system comprises a passive electronic device A an electrically insulated conductor cable B and an alternating electromagnetic field generator C. The electrically insulated conductor cable B is mounted on electrically insulated posts E that are secured to the ground D such that the electrically insulated conductor cable B is approximately 30 centimetres above ground level, this being the approximate height of an approaching otter.

The passive electronic device A is a radio receiver that converts received electromagnetic energy into an electrical power source that can be used to activate the passive electronic device A when received electromagnetic energy exceeds a specific level.

The passive electronic device A is placed on the otter's body in a suitable anatomical location to increase distress to the otter as the received electromagnetic energy increases, for example, when the distance dl decreases. When the electromagnetic energy received by the passive electronic device A falls below a specific level no stress occurs to the otter.

The alternating electromagnetic field generator C is a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter connected to the electrically insulated conductor cable B such that the electrically insulated conductor cable B becomes a radiating antenna.

The actual frequency of operation and transmitted RF power is chosen for optimum radiation from the electrically insulated conductor cable B balanced with the ability of the passive electronic device A to become active and convert received electromagnetic energy to a sufficient electrical power level to cause unacceptable stress to the otter on which the passive electronic device A has been placed.

For example, the unacceptable stress to the otter could be caused by a RF burn, an electric shock, sound volume, vibration, etc., when the otter is very near to the radiating electrically insulated conductor cable B. Electrical power for the alternating electromagnetic field generator C can be sourced from suitable solar panels and/or wind generators and/or mains electricity supplies as required.

Claims

1. The otter proximity detection and predation protection system comprising a passive electronic device, an electrically insulated conductor cable and an alternating electromagnetic field generator, protects fish stocks against otter predation.

2. The alternating electromagnetic field generator, as claimed in Claim 1, is a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter connected to the electrically insulated conductor cable such that the cable becomes a radiating antenna.

3. The passive electronic device, as claimed in Claini 1, is a radio frequency receiver that converts received electromagnetic energy from the electrically insulated radiating conductor cable into an electrical power source that can be used by the passive electronic device.

4. The passive electronic device, as claimed Claim 3, is tagged on the otter's body in a suitable anatomical location to increase distress to the otter, by suitable means, as the otter nears the electrically insulated radiating conductor cable and the received electromagnetic energy increases.