02/02/2011
Raytec IR illuminators facilitate remote eco surveillance project
Ashington, Northumberland (UK)
The IR lights have to stand up to some of the toughest conditions found anywhere in the world – including high humidity (up to 99%), average temperatures of 30° and corrosive droppings from the millions of bats inhabiting the caves. The tough and robust nature of all Raytec illuminators made them the perfect choice for such a demanding project.
The caves are so isolated that they can only be reached by a 35 minute plane trip from the nearest settlement, or a day-long river journey. The treacherous installation aided by the tribesmen of the National Park, required technicians to brave jungle conditions, raft state-of the art equipment down rivers and hoist it across perilous ravines, whilst swimming through snake infested waters daily just to access the site.
Following on from the previous success of a similar CCTV eco project by CTG in 2007, where Raytec IR was deployed in the Naradoorte bat caves in South Australia, the Mulu National Park bat caves project in Borneo has proven one of the most challenging remote CCTV installations ever attempted and took two-and-a-half years from concept to completion.
Prior to the installation all the equipment was tested for its robustness and performance. In comparison to Raytec, alternative hardware had proved extremely disappointing when tested, highlighting the many challenges of filming small, fast moving targets in zero light conditions, such as bats and other creatures. CTG turned to specialist suppliers, including global lighting leader Raytec, and achieved amazing results – with crystal clear full screen real-time images of objects no bigger than a tennis ball from a distance typically 120 metres away under pitch black conditions.
“With the system up and running it is now delivering real time video and audio with spectacular clarity,” says CTG’s CEO Charles Tomas. “The fact that Raytec’s LED-based illuminators require zero maintenance and have a 10 year minimum product life means that they can be relied on to continue delivering exceptional images, making this ground breaking project possible.” Mr Tomas adds that “Eco-surveillance is a growing specialism, and now using the latest surveillance technology from companies like Raytec, we can help push forward life-sciences and gain a better understanding of the natural world. Around the world, remote regions that are rich in wildlife can now benefit from tourist income, whilst protecting the environment from actual visitor disturbance.