Pigeons get backpacks for air pollution monitoring

A flock of pigeons fitted with mobile phone backpacks is to be used to monitor air pollution, New Scientist magazine reported on Wednesday via Reuters.

"The 20 pigeons will be released into the skies over San Jose, California, in August. Each bird will carry a GPS satellite tracking receiver, air pollution sensors and a basic mobile phone.

Text messages on air quality will be beamed back in real time to a special "Pigeon Blog" . Miniature cameras slung around the pigeons' necks will also post aerial pictures.

The idea is the brainchild of researcher Beatrice da Costa, of the University of California at Irvine, and two of her students."

Other pigeon-taking-picture project - Urban Eyes

emily | 6:24 AM | SMS and Wildlife |
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