A Novel Use for the Apple Watch
Dr. Chloe Buiting, known on Instagram as @jungle_doctor, shared a remarkable video of a sedated lion having its heart rate monitored by an Apple Watch. This unconventional method was introduced to her by fellow conservation vet Dr. Fabiola Quesada. Buiting detailed in her post how the Apple Watch, when strapped to the lion’s tongue, successfully measured the big cat’s heart rate.
“It’s a true ‘technology meets conservation’ story,” Buiting captioned the video, highlighting the innovative crossover of consumer technology into wildlife conservation. She expressed amazement at the discovery, pointing out the unique challenges faced when monitoring the anesthesia of large animals in the field.
Technology Meets Conservation
Buiting elaborated on the significance of this discovery, explaining that traditional heart monitors are often designed for smaller animals. This limitation poses a significant challenge for veterinarians working with larger wildlife. The Apple Watch, typically marketed for human use, proved to be an effective solution.
I don’t know what’s more impressive… the snore, or the discovery that the @apple Watch can measure a lions heart rate if you strap it to the tongue (even if it is one of the less conventional “off-label” uses for the device 😉). Either way, it’s a true ‘technology meets conservation’ story 😍
This finding is particularly handy because one of the biggest challenges of working with animals in the field is the monitoring of anaesthesia without many of the regular bells and whistles you’d have in a hospital setting. In addition to this, many of the monitoring devices are often designed for smaller animals, making it extra challenging to get accurate readings from our bigger, spikey or scaled wildlife patients. So, when my colleague @fabiola_wildspirit and Dr Brendan Tindall found this trick recently, it was a game changer! It even works on elephants (when taped to their ears which is a sight in itself 😂) and is the ultimate “work smarter not harder” in my book. It was a pleasure to be in the field with Dr Fabiola this month – the first of many times I hope.
I love the strides technology is making in conservation (intentional or otherwise – I have a feeling this use might not have been Apple’s plan for the device). Between “discoveries” like this, real-time GPS tracking collars for endangered species, “horn pods” for rhinos, and the Poaching Test developed by scientists at @tarongazoo, I am blown away by recent developments in this space. Drones, thermal cameras and AI have been joining the fight against poaching too – from @FLIR thermal cameras being able to detect and differentiate between animals and humans from over a mile away, to the AI that is training to detect the presence of a poacher by the physical response of the animal being tracked. It’s nothing short of incredible to see all the advances that have been made – all of which are just little reminders of the incredible potential technology holds, and all of the hope that remains for some of our most critically endangered animals.
Dr. Chloe Buiting, wrote on her instagram.
The veterinarian also noted that this heart-monitoring hack has been employed on elephants, with the watch taped to their ears. “I love the strides technology is making in conservation,” Buiting added, acknowledging that while this may not have been Apple’s intended use for the device, it has become a valuable tool in their fieldwork.
The video, which has amassed over 5.1 million views, sparked a wave of reactions from social media users. Many were impressed by the ingenuity of using the Apple Watch in such a unique context. Comments ranged from amused observations about the lion’s snore to praise for the innovative use of technology in conservation efforts. “I saw this too this is awesome haha thank you for sharing,” one user exclaimed, while another wrote, “That’s genius!”
The Science Behind the Apple Watch’s Heart Rate Monitoring
The Apple Watch measures heart rate using photoplethysmography, a technique that exploits the body’s natural light absorption properties. By emitting green light on the skin and using light-sensitive photodiodes, the watch detects changes in light absorption. Rapidly flashing LEDs capture these variations, allowing the device to calculate the heart rate. This technology, designed for human wrists, has proven adaptable enough to measure the heart rate of a lion, demonstrating its unexpected versatility.
Dr. Buiting’s use of the Apple Watch highlights the broader implications of technology in wildlife conservation. She emphasized that this innovation is part of a larger trend of integrating advanced technology into conservation efforts. Other notable advancements include real-time GPS tracking collars for endangered species and “horn pods” for rhinoceros, which aid in monitoring and protecting these animals.
The viral video of Dr. Chloe Buiting using an Apple Watch to monitor a lion’s heart rate is a testament to the power of technology in conservation. This innovative use of the Apple Watch not only showcases the device’s versatility but also underscores the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve wildlife through technological advancements. As Buiting’s story continues to inspire, it serves as a reminder of the endless possibilities when technology meets conservation.
