This initiative came after a severe outbreak of a virus in Chiba City at the beginning of 2025, leading to the culling of more than 3.3 million birds. This prompted Japanese companies to develop innovative solutions to reduce infections and protect agricultural production, according to Japan’s “Denki Shimbun.” The drone relies on advanced systems that enable it to detect external birds, such as crows and pigeons, which are major carriers of the deadly H5N1 virus. Upon detecting strange birds, the drone emits intermittent red and green laser flashes, which are physically harmless but effective in disturbing birds and driving them away from farms. The movement of the drone and the sound of its propellers also help in repelling other animals like deer and wild boars, which may spread infections between fields.
This system is considered an environmentally friendly alternative compared to traditional methods, such as chemicals or sound devices that disturb both animals and residents. Agricultural and animal health experts believe that the success of this experiment may encourage other countries, especially in Europe, which has recently experienced repeated bird flu outbreaks, to adopt similar technologies. Experts noted that integrating artificial intelligence with environmental technology opens promising avenues for protecting farms without harming the environment or resorting to mass animal culling.
With this, Japan has succeeded in transforming drones into an intelligent tool for poultry protection, offering an innovative model that could reshape the future of modern agriculture.
