Watch For Leaping Deer
Rare is the Manitoulin resident who has not experienced a sudden apparition in the headlights followed by a loud and expensive bang, as even the most cautious of drivers catch deer in their headlights and all too often, on their bumpers. But a new animal detection system has been put in place to aid in the war against animal/vehicle collisions.
Travellers heading on and off the Island may notice a series of strange sci-fi looking pillars erected along both sides of Highway 6 on LaCloche, just past the Little Current swing bridge. These 38 pillars stretch for three kilometres and are part of a Safeguards Technology infra-red animal detection system.
“Using infra-red beams, each (pillar) can detect movement of 200 metres,”. “The systems are solar powered, providing a green and safe method to warn drivers of the danger with the least amount of disturbance to the animals and the environment.”
The signs are linked to a central control pillar, which collects data from each of the solar powered units then communicates to the control office, providing data on the number and size of animals or vehicles traversing between the posts.
In addition, the posts are connected to 14 warning signs that will alert drivers to the fact that animals are on the road and to slow down and increase caution.
This technology is a rapid deploy system that was originally designed to provide military and federal security. The detection system has found an ideal civilian application in the role of animal detection.
NOTE: This cache is part of the new "Road To Manitoulin" Series of caches, placed to make the trip from Highway #17 to Manitoulin fun for geocachers.