Animal-to-Animal Data Sharing Mechanism for Wildlife Monitoring in Fukushima Exclusion Zone

Abstract

We propose an animal-to-animal data sharing mechanism that employs wildlife-borne sensing devices to expand the size of monitoring areas in which electricity, information, and road infrastructures are either limited or nonexistent. With the proposed approach, monitoring information can be collected from remote areas in a safe and cost-effective manner. To substantially prolong the life of a sensor node, the proposed mechanism activates the communication capabilities only when there is a plurality of animals; otherwise, the sensor node remains in a sleep state. This study aimed to achieve three objectives. First, we intend to obtain knowledge based on the actual field operations within the Fukushima exclusion zone. Second, we attempt to realize an objective evaluation of the power supply and work base that is required to properly evaluate the proposed mechanism. Third, we intend to acquire data to support wildlife research, which is the objective of both our present (and future) research.