Environment

Spot the Spots: Biometric Penguin ID

by Jordan Yerman | June 28, 2008 at 10:24 am

308 views | 2 Recommendations | 2 comments

All those penguins look pretty much the same. This problem has been baffling scientists who strive to track penguin migration and behavior without outwardly-visible tags. Their solution: computer-enhanced image analysis. In other words, mapping the penguins' spots. The videos in the link below are really cool.

The new tracking system is able to detect unique markings on the penguins.

Adult African penguins carry black spots on their chests; scientists believe that no two penguins have the same pattern.

Professor Barham said: "We set a camera up in a location where the penguins will regularly walk past on their way to or from the sea.

"Every image that the camera processes is then sent back to a computer."

This technology is to be adapted to track other species :cheetahs, sharks, and other cool animals.