Birds feeding on landfill sites cause problems in terms of nuisance to neighbors, flight safety, a threat to public health, and affecting the day to day site operation. A number of control measures exist to deter problem species; however, research into their effectiveness across sites and for multiple species has been limited. We use a modeling approach in order to assess the effectiveness of nine techniques--pyrotechnics, hand-held distress calls, static distress calls, blank ammunition, a combination of blank and lethal use of ammunition, the use of falcons, the use of hawks, wailers and helium-filled bird-scaring kites --at deterring three commonly recorded species--the Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus), the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) and the Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)--from six landfill sites across the United Kingdom. The use of distress calls, falconry, and combinations of lethal and nonlethal use of ammunition were the most effective techniques for initially deterring birds from these sites. However, when habituation is considered, there is a clear difference between techniques such as falconry, which have a lethal aspect and may act to reinforce the deterrence, and the use of techniques such as distress calls, which do not. However there are problems related to legislation and public perception when lethal techniques are used.
Scavenging birds at landfill sites carry disease, cause nuisance, and may create a bird‐strike hazard. We evaluated the efficacy of trained hybrid falcons (Falco spp.) or hawks (Buteo spp. and Parabuteo spp.) at deterring scavenging gulls and corvids from a series of sites in the United Kingdom. Birds were flown throughout daylight hours, 7 days per week for periods of 7–12 weeks. We conducted our studies in all seasons as gull and corvid populations fluctuated. Although neither raptor group was able to completely eliminate all scavenging birds, bird numbers were reduced more consistently by falcons than by hawks. Based on our research, we recommend that falcons may be more appropriate than hawks for use within integrated bird management strategies to reduce the problems associated with gulls and corvids at landfill sites.
Mashavu (“chubby-cheeked” in Swahili) is a telemedicine system that connects medical professionals around the world with people in developing communities in East Africa. Mashavu kiosks are computer-based systems that collect medical information including weight, body temperature, lung capacity, pulse rate, blood pressure, stethoscope rhythms, photographs and basic hygiene and nutrition information. Mashavu kiosks transmit this information over a cell-phone link to a secure Internet website. Medical professionals and public health officials can view the patient’s information and respond to the person/operator and the nearest doctor(s) with recommendations. An imperative part of complex product design, especially when working in international contexts, is to gain validation. Validation ensures that the product being designed accurately fits the needs of the population for which it is being designed. The Mashavu team used methodologies from the world of engineering, business, and the social sciences to validate the concept, business plan, technology and usability of the system. This paper discusses the Mashavu venture and the methodologies employed for getting validation and uncovering the "sticky" information related to the East African context that is critical to the design and commercialization of the Mashavu telemedicine system.
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