Sauvetage Faons Jura bernois
Every year in Switzerland, several thousand fawns are killed during springtime hay cutting. When in danger, a fawn’s natural instinct is to take cover in the tall grass and to remain static. This method of defence will, unfortunately, be the cause of its death when the hay is cut as it makes it impossible for the farmers on their tractors to identify the animal nesting.
How can we ensure the coexistence of wildlife and the invaluable activity of agricultural workers? This is a challenge that the Sauvetage Faons Jura bernois association has taken up successfully by combining the power of technology with that of people’s commitment.
The association offers farmers a free thermal drone service to help them rapidly detect the presence of fawns in the fields before beginning to cut the hay. Rescue then takes place at dawn and usually consists in securing the fawn in a crate marked with a flag so that the farmer can proceed with cutting the hay around it with no fear of injuring them.
More and more farmers wish to benefit from this service, so Equestrio Foundation has decided to support Sauvetage Faons Jura bernois by buying another drone and the batteries that go with it which will enable the association to control more plots of land.
Association
Sauvetage Faons Jura bernois was founded in 2019 and offers farmers in the region a free fawn drone detection service. This means of detection using a thermal camera enables extremely rapid and effective intervention and is a great time saver for farmers who are committed to protecting local fauna.
More than 400 fawns have already been saved and the activity of the association is constantly on the increase. All this is made possible thanks to 22 volunteers who are available every day from May to mid-July, from 4 to 9 a.m and after 6 p.m.
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