Sheep behaviour from long term 3 D accelerometer data

Our research aims to understand the behaviour of sheep over long period of time and during specific periods, such as during the mating or lambing periods. Each of those periods lasts about 5-6 weeks. In the mating period we are interested in courtship behaviour of the males and females. We can assess that behaviour using the data collected by 3D-accelerometry. We will first focus and panting behaviour (breathing), mating behaviour, and walking behaviour. We have three flocks of sheep with 250 individuals in each flock. Every individual in each flock is equipped with an individual logger.

We need a software package for cleaning and processing the raw data that is generated by the loggers to generate outcomes that are relevant to our biological questions.

The software package will: Run on multiple platforms (Windows, Macintosh, Unix) Clean and organise the data from the 3D accelerometer. The 3D accelerometer prints 25 sets of numbers each second, even if the accelerometer is running at a frequency different from 25 Hz. We need to work out the frequency, and create a data file with the zeroes deleted. Analyse the data to identify and characterise activities, such walking, panting, and mating Provide a list of options for built-in analysis Generate a report table that can be used to run statistical analysis Provide methods that can identify synchrony (or near synchrony) between animals

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Department of Computer Science & Software Engineering The University of Western Australia Last modified: 12 July 2023 Modified By: Michael Wise