Also in the plan are radars, air and water drones, and strategically positioned lasers that would create a "net" across the pit and deter the birds from landing in the metal-laden water. The plan is outlined in a memo submitted last month to federal environmental and wildlife officials, which must approve it. If the measures are successful, the companies plan to incorporate some or all of the new technology into their permanent program to keep birds out of the Berkeley Pit. Likewise, a battery-controlled air drone used to count the number of dead birds had limitations because the battery kept dying, Moehring said. The new air and water drones would be gas-powered, eliminating the battery problem and adding more noise to frighten away the birds, Thompson said.

Source: ABC News March 02, 2017 18:00 UTC