Innovative deer deterrent developed by UHI Inverness knowledge partnership

A researcher from the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation at UHI Inverness is working with the National Trust of Scotland (NTS) to develop an innovative electronic system to deter deer from damaging young woodland in remote areas.

Dr James MacDonald, a Knowledge Transfer Partner (KTP) Associate in product engineering at UHI Inverness, gave a presentation to the KTP Scotland Associates Seminar recently about his work on an electronic system for deterring deer.

The KTP between UHI and NTS aims to research and implement an electronic deer deterrent to stop the wild animals from browsing on establishing woodland.

It involves installing motion sensors and cameras on the edge of a wooded area, with each camera linked to loudspeakers and lights which scare approaching deer away from the growing trees.

Dr MacDonald has been working with wild deer at NTS Mar Lodge Estate and the captive deer herd at NTS Torridon to investigate the deer behavioural responses. Dr MacDonald said:

“The associate’s seminar was a good opportunity to hear from KTP Associates working across Scotland and to network with members of the KTP Scotland Associate community.”

KTP Associates are employed by universities and work at an external company for the duration of the project. The projects allow for a transfer of knowledge, technology and skills otherwise inaccessible to companies.