A retired London zookeeper's ingenious invention, first created to vaccinate a shy tiger, could now provide a breakthrough solution for one of the UK's most contentious wildlife issues: bovine tuberculosis and the controversial culling of badgers.
From Shy Tiger to Wildlife Solution
The story began with Cinta, a young tiger at London Zoo so timid she refused to eat when keepers were present. This presented a major problem for administering her essential vaccinations without causing significant stress. Tony Cholerton, a zookeeper with a background as a motorcycle engineer, rose to the challenge.
He developed the 'Robovacc', a remote-controlled machine operated via a handset from toy aeroplanes. During a feeding session, the device successfully administered a jab to Cinta's rear. The tiger paused briefly as the needle penetrated, then calmly continued her meal, demonstrating the method's low-stress potential.
Aiming for Automation: The Autovacc for Badgers
Now retired after 30 years at the zoo, Cholerton has developed his concept further into a fully automated version called 'Autovacc'. He believes this could tackle the politically charged problem of bovine TB, where badgers have been culled for over a decade despite evidence showing transmission between cattle is the primary cause.
Current badger vaccination is labour-intensive, requiring animals to be trapped for hours overnight. In contrast, Cholerton's Autovacc system could vaccinate a colony of up to 20 badgers with minimal human intervention, detaining each animal for just a minute or two.
"The dream is to see it used by scientists and farmers," said Cholerton, who believes prototypes could be mass-produced cheaply. "This is about giving scientists the means to show that the science is correct... The farmers win because they have a means to solve the TB problem. Everyone wins."
How the Innovative Machine Works
The automated system lures an animal into a Perspex tunnel using bait. Smart technology prevents double-vaccination: a vaccinated animal is sprayed with nanoparticles that stick to its fur, activating sensors if it returns and allowing it to exit via a different route.
If unvaccinated, the animal moves into a section where its movement is gently restricted. Sensors detect its hindquarters, and in a split second, a needle is triggered from behind a protective sheath to deliver the injection. Multiple safety mechanisms protect the animal from injury.
The machine has been tested on ring-tailed coatis, which share badgers' willingness to enter tunnels. Cholerton found it works best on carnivores, who tolerate the pin-prick, and could be invaluable for vaccinating captive species like Amur leopards destined for wild release.
Expert Reaction and Future Potential
Rosie Wood, Chair of the Badger Trust, welcomed the innovation's potential to reduce stress. "It's heartening to know that jab-shy captive wild species can now be vaccinated stress free," she said, noting possible applications for future zoonotic pandemics.
However, she reiterated that while vaccination can keep badger populations TB-free, it has no measurable effect on bovine TB rates in cattle, a point even the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) concedes regarding culling.
Cholerton now hopes conservation scientists, charities, and farmers will trial his Autovacc. "If it works for badger vaccination in a humane way," he argues, "whatever government is in power will be obliged to take this route rather than just culling animals."
