A flock of pigeons wearing mobile phone-style backpacks are to be used as air-pollution monitors in the us, reports New Scientist.
The 20 pigeons will each carry a Global Positioning System satellite tracking receiver, air pollution sensors (capable of detecting carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) and a basic mobile phone transmitter. Text messages on air quality will be beamed back in real time to a special pigeon "blog", or online journal, while miniature cameras slung around the birds' necks will post aerial pictures.
The pigeons are to be released in August into the smog-filled skies over San Jose in California. Beatriz da Costa, a researcher from the University of California at Irvine, and two of her students came up with the idea and had built a prototype of the pigeons' equipment.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.