Boy crafts bear weight scale model
In Kamchatka Krai's Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a regional conference focusing on natural sciences was held at the Palace of Children's Creativity. The gathering showcased projects developed by passionate individuals, one of which was a collaboration between Matvey Sharikov and Oleg Tukalo.
Together, they created a functioning model of bear scales equipped with a telemetric channel for data transmission. However, upon deploying it to the "Travyanoy" outpost near Kuril Lake in 2021, they encountered technical difficulties, specifically in data transmission and energy supply.
The developers have now proposed an innovative solution. The bear scales will record the weights of animals crossing well-trodden paths, while a camera trap will capture photos and videos to identify the animals and monitor their weight gain during feeding periods. This project idea originated from wildlife photographer Igor Shpilenk and state inspector Lyana Varavskaya several years ago.
Elena Shmeleva, head of the "Kronotsky Reserve Young Naturalists Club," revealed that Matvey Sharikov and Oleg Tukalo worked together in the reserve's workshop since last fall to create the bear scale model. Their project took second place at the natural sciences conference.
Upon demonstrating the operation of telemetric devices capable of transmitting data about the weight of wild animals over long distances via a radio channel, Oleg Tukalo explained their accomplishment. As these projects typically progress, researchers conduct extensive fieldwork in protected areas like the Kronotsky Reserve, using tools and methods for tracking and studying bears.
Collected data is then analyzed to better understand bear behavior, habitat use, and population dynamics, which inform conservation efforts and management policies. While this project's specific developments are not disclosed, advances in technology and collaborations with various partners can significantly impact such projects, leading to better conservation strategies for bear populations in protected areas like the Kronotsky Reserve.
Photo: Kronotsky Reserve.
Science and health-and-wellness intertwine as Matvey Sharikov and Oleg Tukalo, after taking second place at a regional natural sciences conference, aim to use their bear scale model to monitor bear weights and identify individual bears. Fitness-and-exercise incorporates this by employing camera traps to capture photos and videos, enhancing the project's effectiveness and contributing to better understanding of bear population dynamics, hence improving conservation efforts in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.
