Carcass search from the air

ASP search dogs are being reinforced by biological drones [APRIL JOKES!!!]

After the training of the first cadaver test dogs, which are supposed to search for the dead wild boars during the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), has successfully begun, the project of the TCRH Training Center Rescue and Help Mosbach is now entering the next round.

Gypaetus barbatus – the flying eye

When training the dog teams, it became clear that they reached their physical limits in impassable, mountainous terrain such as the Swabian Alb plateau. In order to ensure comprehensive carcass testing in the event of an epidemic, the search teams will in future be supported from the air by bearded vultures (Gypaetus barbatus). Since the use of technical drones (UAVs) is subject to strict aviation regulations, biological drones will be used in the future.

Cooperation with falconers

The TCRH has managed to recruit falconers who fly over difficult terrain with their bearded vultures. The vultures are trained to indicate wild boar carcasses they have spotted by making a special shaking flight. If the falconer observes this behavior in his vulture, he can use a remote control to drop a tracking transmitter attached to the vulture's legs and thus mark the carcass for the recovery teams. At the same time, the GPS coordinates are transmitted. Once the vulture has successfully completed its search flight, it glides back to its falconer using the thermals and is rewarded with a piece of wild boar salami.

Unique in the world: species protection and disease control combined

This is a globally unique showcase project that combines the fight against African swine fever and the protection of the endangered bearded vultures in an inimitable way. 

The bearded vultures are bred in our own breeding stations and prepared for their tasks as early as chicks.

Contact

Interested falconers can contact: asp.tcrh.de inform yourself about the project at the TCRH.

Photo credit

Photo: https://www.istockphoto.com/de/foto/lammergeyer-oder-bartgeier-gm471779135-26447304 , ID 471779135, photographer: Hedrus https://www.istockphoto.com/de/portfolio/Hedrus?mediatype=photography

ATTENTION: This post is an April Fool's joke!