Belted Galloway cattle, which are used to help graze Murlough National Nature Reserve, are back for the season — and they are sporting some rather nifty technology.
The cows are wearing ‘no fence’ collar technology to help the National Trust team manage grazing more effectively. These collars use GPS technology to create virtual boundaries, meaning grazing can be targeted to the areas that need it most.
Right now, the cattle are grazing at the North Point, but they’ll move around the reserve as needed throughout the season.
Careful grazing helps maintain the dunes and grasslands, creating better conditions for wildlife, including ground nesting birds and all the other important species that call the local nature reserve ‘home’.
Details of the cattle’s return were shared on the ‘Murlough National Nature Reserve and The Mournes’ Facebook account.
Making the announcement that the herd had returned, the National Trust asked visitors to ensure they keep pet dogs on leads at all times to protect the cattle and wildlife.
They also asked people to stick to paths where possible, as this helps protect ground nesting birds, and for those visiting the reserve’s beaches to give any resting seals plenty of space so they remain undisturbed.
In its post, the National Trust declared that “technology is great” before pointing out that “cows doing conservation work is even better!”
