In a significant step towards mitigating human-wildlife conflict, the Aralam Farming Corporation Kerala Limited has begun experimenting with an innovative device to prevent elephants from entering vast farmlands at Aralam Farm.
The device, called Farm Guard, emits a loud, piercing sound along with flashing lights, effectively deterring wildlife even in windy or rainy conditions.
Developed by two young engineering graduates from Malappuram, the device has been under trial at the Aralam Farm for over ten days. The results so far are promising. Farm Guard was installed in Anankode, Block 8 of Aralam Farm, where elephants had previously intruded 36 times. However, since the device’s installation, not a single elephant has entered the area, proving its effectiveness, said K.P. Nitheesh Kumar, Administrative Officer of Aralam Farm.
“We plan to test the device for at least seven months before considering its broader implementation in other areas affected by elephant intrusions, as well as monkey and wild boar threats,” Mr. Nitheesh said. He added that the equipment has been performing exceptionally well in safeguarding both crops and people so far.
The device, made of PVC pipes, uses motion sensors to detect wildlife presence within a 14-meter range in the dark and up to 28 meters under clear skies. It then activates flickering LED lights and a high-frequency alarm, scaring away wild animals, including elephants, leopards, and wild boars. Powered by a rechargeable battery, it can last 15 to 30 days on a single charge. The device has been developed by V.V. Jishoy and P. Abhijith.
According to V.V. Jishoy, one of the inventors, the alarm sound starts at a low volume and gradually intensifies to a level that is startling to both animals and humans. “It makes multiple sounds and emits different lights to ensure that animals do not become accustomed to it. “It immediately alerts people to the presence of wildlife, helping them take necessary precautions,” he said.
Before its deployment in Aralam, the device was successfully tested at Chungathara Farm and Munderi Farm in Malappuram, where authorities faced similar issues with elephant incursions and other wild animals. The devices have been a success, he claimed.
The devices tested at Aralam include models that function only at night and those that operate both day and night. The first activates lights and alarms only at night, while the second functions around the clock. A third version, equipped with a camera, uses image recognition to detect wildlife and transmits photos to a central server.
He said that they are waiting for a patent for the product. Although they are already selling the device for detecting wild boars, they will soon launch a dedicated version for detecting elephants as well, he added.
Published – March 17, 2025 11:10 pm IST
