Author
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Anderson, Dean |
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Submitted to: The Rangeland Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2007 Publication Date: 6/15/2007 Citation: Anderson, D.M. 2007. Virtual fencing - past, present and future. The Rangeland Journal. 29:65-78. Interpretive Summary: The most recent approach to animal control involves virtual fencing. The concept of virtual fencing has been commercially available to the pet industry, primarily dogs, for over 30 years, yet it is not yet commercially available for controlling free-ranging herbivores. Control of the animal is realized when the animal wearing an appropriate electronics package enters a zone not visible to the eye. The zone is an electronically generated 3-dimensional boundary and can be built using signals from the Global Positioning System (GPS) of satellites. Once the animal enters this zone a receiver equipped with electromechanical devices are programmed to administer a suite of potentially irritating sensory cues to the animal in an attempt to get the animal leave the zone and return to an acceptable location within the area bounded by the zone. Cuing only occurs when the animal is in the zone otherwise the animal remains unaware of its presence. This method of animal control eliminates the need for conventional fencing where altering animal behavior is adequate for control. The history and state of this method of animal control are presented with discussion focused on pending research needs that must be addressed before this method of livestock control becomes a commercial reality. Technical Abstract: Virtual fencing is a method of controlling animals without ground based fencing. Control occurs by altering an animal's behavior through one or more sensory cues administered to the animal after it has attempted to penetrate an electronically-generated boundary. This boundary can be any geometrical shape, and though unseen by the eye, is detected by a computer system worn by the animal. The most recent autonomous programmable systems use radio frequency (RF) signals, emanating from global positional system (GPS) satellites to generate boundaries. Algorithms within a Geographic Information System (GIS) within the device's computer use the GPS and other data to determine where on the animal a cue, or cues should be applied and or how long. The first commercial virtual fencing system was patented in 1973 for controlling domestic dogs. Virtual fencing was used for the first time to control livestock in 1987. Since then proof-of-concept research using commercial, as well as custom designed systems have demonstrated that virtual fencing can successfully hold as well as move livestock over the landscape. Commercial virtual livestock control systems do not yet exist but research continues towards this goal. Pending research needs relating to this method of animal control are discussed in light of the currently available technologies. |
