British scientists have learned from the photo to distinguish the pain and sadness on the faces of sheep
MOSCOW, 1 Jul — RIA Novosti. British scientists have developed a system to analyze facial expressions of sheep, which can be used to determine whether the animal is experiencing pain or it just feels sad.
To develop the test, scientists from the University of Cambridge had to perform five hundred pictures of sheep, reports the AFP. Researchers have identified five features that define the facial expression of the sheep.
Scientists have found that if an animal feels pain, then he narrowed his eyes, stretched cheeks, ears folded. Also a symptom of pain are drooping lips and changing the shape of the nostrils — they become like the Latin letter V.
This test will be used on other types of animals, including horses, rabbits, rodents. Managed a group of scientists Professor Peter Robinson recalled that much of the work on the analysis of facial expressions of animals did Charles Darwin.
“It is difficult to standardize the face of the sheep on the machine algorithm. Their faces are quite different in profile than full face, and you can’t tell the sheep how to pose”, — said the Agency colleague Professor Marwa Mahmoud.
“I do a lot of walking in the countryside. After working on this project I often get stopped to chat with the sheep and ensure that they are happy”, — said the Agency Robinson.