Low-Powered Lasers:Another NonlethalTool for ResolvingWildlife Damage
Each year Wildlife Services (WS), a program withinthe U.S.Department of Agriculture’s Animal andPlant Health Inspection Service, disperses severalmillion birds because of safety, health, and propertydamage concerns.To successfully disperse largenumbers of birds, WS employs a combination of non-lethal measures, including the use of pyrotechnics,sound cannons, and other noisemakers.While thesemeasures are effective, WS is constantly researchingnew means for resolving wildlife damage in order togive program specialists more options for addressingwildlife conflicts.The latest tool in WS’toolbox of resources is thelow-powered laser, effective in dispersing a variety ofbird species.Researchers at WS’National WildlifeResearch Center (NWRC) have demonstrated theusefulness of lasers in dispersing birds in a numberof different environments.
How the Laser Works
The low-powered laser is most effective beforedawn or after dusk when the red beam of the laser isclearly visible.Bright sunlight will “wash out”thelaser light rendering it ineffective.Althoughresearchers are not sure if birds see the same redspot as people, it is clear that certain bird specieselicit an avoidance response in reaction to the laser.The birds view the light as a physical object or preda-tor coming toward them and generally fly away toescape.Research, however, has shown that theeffectiveness of low-powered lasers varies dependingon the bird species and the context of the application.The idea of using lasers to disperse birds origi-nated in Europe, but researchers at NWRC were thefirst to test the concept and develop it into an actualtool for managing wildlife damage.WS researchersfocused their efforts on low-powered lasers makingsafety a priority.At higher levels, lasers can burn tis-sue, causing injury to people and animals.WS’goalis to safely and effectively disperse birds without put-ting them or people in harm’s way.As a result of WS’research, and in collaborationwith NWRC scientists, a low-powered laser called theAvian Dissuader was developed by Science andEngineering Associates Inc., for use in dispersingproblem birds.The laser resembles a radar gun usedby police to catch speeders.The design enables WSspecialists to quickly aim the laser at a roost or clus-ter of birds to move them from a specific area.
Relocating Avian Species
Although WS’initial research with the laser wasintended to evaluate how the technology could beapplied and which avian species would respond, pro-gram specialists have since expanded the number ofspecies known to respond to the laser beam.WSspecialists attempting to relocate waterfowl, such asducks and geese, have found great success usinglow-powered lasers.Increasingly, this new tool isbeing used to help disperse overabundant waterfowlpopulations in urban and suburban areas across theUnited States.Long-legged wading birds, like greatblue herons, have also been successfully dispersedusing low-powered laser light.This discovery isespecially important to aquaculture producersbecause it gives them another nonlethal tool for com-bating the heron, the double-crested cormorant, andother fish-eating birds.In addition to these successes, low-poweredlasers have proven effective against crows, gulls atlandfills, and vultures.In Hawaii they have been test-ed as a potential means for moving endangeredspecies out of industrial areas and airports wheretheir foraging activities put the birds themselves atrisk and pose a safety threat to air traffic.At the same time, WS specialists have found thatblackbirds, starlings, and pigeons generally don’trespond to low-powered lasers.The reason for thisdistinction in response is likely due to the very differ-ent eye structure of bird species active at night or inlow-light situations.Because these species areactive during the day, traditional means of dispersalare still most effective with these species.
Future Developments
As new conflicts arise, WS specialists will contin-ue to test the effectiveness of low-powered lasers ina variety of settings with different avian species.These field tests likely will lead to even more uses forthis new nonlethal tool.Although low-powered laserscan be effective when used in combination with othernonlethal methods, they should not be considered acure-all.As with any nonlethal measure, onceenforcement stops, problem birds can return to causeconflict again.In certain situations, nonlethal man-agement efforts must be continuous to have thedesired impact.
Factsheet
WildlifeServices
July2002
APHIS
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USDA: fs wslasers
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| Upload Date: | 01/26/2008 |
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