Smart Wireless Sensor Network to Detect and Protect Sheep and Goats to Wolf Attacks

Abstract

The attacks on flocks of goats and sheep are causing great economic losses in some countries. The main causes of these are usually wild animals such as wolves, or thefts of young animals. When an animal feels the presence of people or animals different than the usual ones, it experiences changes in its vital signs. The parameters which are the most altered are the heart rate and body temperature. This paper presents the development of wireless sensor nodes which can monitor vital signs of sheep and goats. These nodes form a network of wireless nodes using IEEE 802.15.4 technology. The network runs a smart algorithm able to detect episodes of collective stress on flocks of goats and sheep caused by any predator attack overnight. When the system detects changes in vital signs of animals, it sends an alarm signal to alert the person in charge of the livestock facility and activates audible and visual alarms able to scare off predators and marauders. Our system can help breeders of goats and sheep to protect their herds avoiding large economic losses that this implies.