Following efforts to reintroduce the Northern Bald Ibis, which became extinct in Central Europe in the 16th century, there are currently just under 200 birds in the European Alps. Further colonies are to be established as part of the EU Life project. JOANNEUM RESEARCH is part of a multidisciplinary team consisting of the Waldrappteam Conservation and Research, the Institute of Vehicle Technology and Automotive Engineering at FH JOANNEUM and the University of Bern.
An important part of establishing colonies is the release of young birds into the wild. To do this, the migratory birds follow a motorised ultralight aircraft that guides them to their wintering area in Tuscany. The birds are equipped with GPS transmitters for the flight, which considerably increases their flight resistance and therefore means more effort for them. The extent of the additional energy required has so far been researched in elaborate experiments on specially trained animals in a wind tunnel developed for the Waldrapp team by the Institute of Vehicle Technology and Automotive Engineering.
A bird dummy in the wind tunnel
The Joanneum University of Applied Sciences was commissioned to create a lifelike bald ibis dummy and to develop housing models for the GPS transmitter that are as streamlined and bird-friendly as possible. And this is where our DIGITAL Institute comes into play: the researchers used a special multi-camera system with infrared projection to measure a prepared bird without contact and compiled the 3D measurement data obtained in this way into a valid model - a digital twin. This digital twin served the Institute of Industrial Management at FH JOANNEUM as the basis for producing the dummy in the 3D printer, which can now be sent to the wind tunnel instead of a real bird. Further research projects are in preparation. For example, images of a flying Northern Bald Ibis taken with the DIGITAL Institute's specialised cameras could provide even more precise data for the creation of the digital bird twin.
"With our interdisciplinary collaboration between experts in biology, fluid mechanics and precision measurement technology, we are making an important contribution to the conservation of an endangered species," says Mathias Rüther, Head of the DIGITAL Institute. The knowledge gained can also benefit other bird species.
Our partners
- Waldrappteam Conservation and Research
- Institute of Automotive Technology and Automotive Engineering of FH JOANNEUM
- University of Bern
More about DIGITAL's contribution to the Northern Bald Ibis project
