An electronic replica egg could help save a critically endangered species, with the technology able to collect data zoologists have never before been able to gather.
At Oregon Zoo in the US, an electronic replica egg was created with a 3D printer, with the device capable of recording sound, temperature, movement and other data critical to saving the species.
Looking at the California condor - one of the original animals included in the 1973 Endangered Species Act - the technology has previously seen used with seabirds and parrots. The zoo worked with Texas A&M University laboratory to create a similar version that would work with the condors.
“This could be groundbreaking for California condor recovery efforts everywhere,” said Kelli Walker, the zoo’s senior condor keeper. “With only about 500 California condors in the world, any progress we can make is critically important.”
An electronic replica egg could help save a critically endangered species, with the technology able to collect data zoologists have never before been able to gather.
At Oregon Zoo in the US, an electronic replica egg was created with a 3D printer, with the device capable of recording sound, temperature, movement and other data critical to saving the species.
Looking at the California condor - one of the original animals included in the 1973 Endangered Species Act - the technology has previously seen used with seabirds and parrots. The zoo worked with Texas A&M University laboratory to create a similar version that would work with the condors.
“This could be groundbreaking for California condor recovery efforts everywhere,” said Kelli Walker, the zoo’s senior condor keeper. “With only about 500 California condors in the world, any progress we can make is critically important.”
