Scientists are using dogs, goats, and other animals to help forecast earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural events. They are putting tiny transmitters on these animals to track their movements from space.
This program aims to study animal reactions to impending natural events, and to learn more about migration, disease spread, and climate change impacts. Project leader Martin Wikelski from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour in Germany wants to establish a global observation network. This network will consist of about six satellites to track wildlife movements and health worldwide.
Research has shown that animals can predict volcanic eruptions. In Sicily, scientists found that goats became nervous before a Mount Etna eruption and avoided their usual higher pastures. Similarly, dogs and sheep in the Abruzzo mountains can predict earthquakes, having reacted correctly to seven out of eight major earthquakes in twelve years.
Historical accounts show animals behaving oddly before disasters. The Greek historian Thucydides wrote that animals left a city before an earthquake in 373 BC. In 1975, snakes and rats fled before the Haicheng earthquake in China. These behaviors might be linked to ions released from rocks as tectonic plates shift.
Advancements in tagging technology make this research possible. Small digital transmitters and GPS devices can now be attached to animals weighing a few grams. Scott Yanco from Michigan University notes that this allows for tracking many species.
What specific animals have shown the ability to sense impending natural disasters according to Martin Wikelski’s research?
Interview with Martin Wikelski: Pioneering Animal Behavior Research to Predict Natural Disasters
NewsDirectory3: Thank you for joining us today, Martin. Can you explain the concept behind using animals to predict natural disasters?
Martin Wikelski: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The idea is rooted in the remarkable instincts many animals exhibit before seismic or volcanic activities. Historical accounts show that animals have displayed unusual behavior prior to events like earthquakes and eruptions. Our research aims to understand these reactions better by integrating technology, such as tiny GPS transmitters, to track animal movements and physiological states from space.
NewsDirectory3: That’s interesting! What types of animals are involved in this research, and how are they being monitored?
Martin Wikelski: We are using a variety of animals, including dogs, goats, hawkmoths, and even wild boars. We attach small electronic transmitters, which are only a few grams in weight, to track their movements, health, and behaviors. This allows us to gather crucial data on how these animals react as a natural event approaches, providing insights into their instinctual responses.
NewsDirectory3: You mentioned that animals have shown predictive abilities in the past. can you share some specific examples?
Martin Wikelski: Certainly! One notable example is in Sicily, where we observed that goats became agitated and avoided their usual grazing areas before an eruption of Mount Etna. In the Abruzzo mountains of Italy, dogs and sheep have accurately reacted to seven out of eight significant earthquakes in the last twelve years. these instances, along with historical records like those from Thucydides, suggest a deep-seated ability in animals to sense geological changes.
NewsDirectory3: How does this research contribute to broader issues such as climate change and disease spread?
Martin Wikelski: The data we collect extends beyond disaster prediction. As a notable example, monitoring wildlife health through electronic ear tags can definitely help us detect and manage disease outbreaks, like African swine fever in wild boars. Additionally,by studying migration patterns,like those of hawkmoths between Europe and Africa,we can understand how animals adapt their movements in response to habitat changes induced by climate change.
NewsDirectory3: You mentioned the challenges the project faced with international collaboration. How did you adapt to those circumstances?
Martin Wikelski: Yes, the political climate affected our initial collaborative efforts with Russian scientists. In response,we pivoted to develop our own satellite,the Icarus cubesat,which is set to launch next year. This satellite will augment our ability to monitor animal behavior and movements on a global scale, providing us with more significant insights.
NewsDirectory3: What are your hopes for the future of the Icarus project?
Martin Wikelski: My hope is to establish a robust global observation network that can track wildlife movements and health. By connecting our satellite data with ground-researchers worldwide,we aim to create a extensive understanding of animal responses to natural events. Ultimately, this knowledge could help us mitigate the impacts of these disasters on human populations and enhance conservation efforts.
NewsDirectory3: Thank you, Martin, for your insights and for sharing the groundbreaking work you and your team are doing at the Max Planck Institute.
Besides studying animal reactions to geological changes, scientists can monitor wildlife health from space. Electronic ear tags fitted to wild boars help detect outbreaks of diseases like African swine fever, allowing for better control on farms.
Understanding animal migrations is another focus. Tiny transmitters are placed on creatures like hawkmoths to uncover the reasons behind their long migrations between Europe and Africa. Researchers also want to see how animals adapt to habitat changes from global warming.
The project, called Icarus, faced challenges when collaboration with Russian scientists was halted due to political issues. Instead, the team built a small satellite, Icarus CubeSat, which will launch next year. This satellite will enhance monitoring of animal movements globally, providing valuable data on animal behavior.
