Overview

• Cambridge City Council has equipped grazing cows with solar-powered GPS collars to create virtual boundaries and prevent them from falling into the River Cam.
• The collars use escalating audio warnings and mild electric pulses to train cattle to stay within designated areas, monitored via a mobile app.
• This initiative aims to address the recurring issue of two to four cows falling into the river each grazing season, which previously required a £10,000 annual rescue service.
• The council reaffirms its commitment to preserving the medieval-rooted tradition of urban cattle grazing while enhancing animal welfare through modern technology.
• Cows returned to the commons this week under the new system, with expectations that rescue incidents and associated costs will significantly decrease.