Oil Sands Wildlife Detection and Bird Deterrent Systems
Alberta-engineered systems for detecting wildlife, deterring birds and remotely managing equipment across demanding oil sands environments.
Alberta engineered and manufactured
Deployed at all seven oil sands mines
Local field support
APEGA licensed Alberta electrical engineering company
Margo Supplies combines field-proven deterrents, AI-enabled bird-call detection, connected fleet monitoring and custom-built deployment platforms to help operators reduce risk, inspection requirements and operating costs.
Built for the Realities of Oil Sands Operations
Wildlife management in the oil sands is not simply a matter of placing deterrents in the field. Equipment must perform through severe weather, remote deployment, changing water levels, large operating areas and demanding inspection requirements.
Margo systems are designed in Alberta, informed by decades of onsite experience and supported directly by the people who build them. The focus is not only on moving birds—it is on creating reliable, economical systems that support wildlife protection, operational continuity and compliance.
An Integrated Wildlife Management System
Detect
Identify bird activity and species using distributed acoustic sensors and Edge AI.
Decide
Review verified detections, sound samples, species information and device status from a central interface.
Deter
Activate connected scare cannons, distress-call systems, visual deterrents and other devices automatically or remotely.
Monitor
Track equipment location, health, activation history and deployment data without relying solely on physical inspections.
AI Audible Bird Detection
Detect bird presence and identify species continuously using economical, distributed acoustic monitoring.
Margo’s modular AI bird-call detector listens remotely 24/7. Onboard Edge AI filters audio for bird calls, identifies likely species and sends selected sound segments to a desktop interface for verification. The detector can also be connected to Margo deterrents for automated activation.
Margo Modular AI Bird Call Detector
Audio is the most economical method of species detection
Key capabilities:
- Continuous remote acoustic monitoring
- Local Edge AI processing
- Positive species identification
- Saved audio samples for verification
- Remote alerts and desktop access
- Integration with automated deterrent systems
Solar-powered remote deployment
Floating Deterrent Unit
The Margo Floating Deterrent Unit is a floating platform equipped with our mesh-enabled products. It can be customized with different products depending on suitability for the site.
Our Industrial Bird Deterrent System is a modular system that allows you to pick and choose which products work best for your worksite. The system is connected to a mesh network which allows each product to be monitored and fired remotely from a base station.
Remote Fleet Monitoring and Control
Manage connected deterrents across large operating areas from a central platform.
Margo deterrents can be equipped with two-way mesh or cellular communication, allowing teams to monitor equipment, activate devices remotely and review deployment records without travelling to every unit.
Fleet-management benefits
- Live GPS position and device-health information
- Remote activation beyond direct line of sight
- Battery, firing-status and estimated propane monitoring
- Reduced physical inspection requirements
- Lower maintenance and travel costs
- Detection-triggered activation
- Reduced unnecessary noise and equipment wear
- Deployment history to support reporting and compliance
- Secure onsite data storage
Remote Fleet Monitoring and Control
Manage connected deterrents across large operating areas from a central platform.
Margo deterrents can be equipped with two-way mesh or cellular communication, allowing teams to monitor equipment, activate devices remotely and review deployment records without travelling to every unit.
Fleet-management benefits
- Live GPS position and device-health information
- Remote activation beyond direct line of sight
- Battery, firing-status and estimated propane monitoring
- Reduced physical inspection requirements
- Lower maintenance and travel costs
- Detection-triggered activation
- Reduced unnecessary noise and equipment wear
- Deployment history to support reporting and compliance
- Secure onsite data storage
The on-site base station receives this information and stores all data securely in an on-site server. This data is available for manual inspection at any time.
Electra Scare Cannon
GPS MESH CANNON
- Remote 2-way communication via mesh or cell
network. - Linked with ALL detection systems in use in the
oilsands. On-demand activation reduces
habituation. - Remote system monitoring removes
requirement for in person inspection. - Live GPS, battery voltage, firing status, and
estimated propane level.
The Margo Electra Scare Cannon uses propane blasts to scare birds away from site areas where they can create problems and put themselves at risk.
The Margo Electra Scare Cannon is the most sophisticated and durable scare cannon available.
Used across the globe, the Margo Electra stands up to the harshest climates, always creating a 120 dB blast that scares birds.
HIGH FREQUENCY RADIO CONTROL
Allows the user to fire the cannon remotely on a
line-of-sight range of 8km (5mi).
CELLULAR CONTROL
Controls cannon, view status, and customize settings from
anywhere with an internet connection.
UNIVERSAL SYSTEM
All Margo deterrents are designed with the same operational system. Our modular solar systems are universal and each deterrent can be connected to our Fleet Management App.
Squawk Box
The Margo Squawk Box is a Distress Cry Generator device that uses a combination of both the distress calls of regional specific birds and calls from predatory birds. The distress cry generator uses sounds from 40 species depending on the target ecosystem which can easily be adjusted using a knob on the control box.
- Weather resistant and easy-to-use control box
- Customize sound output up to 90 dB
- Dual-speaker output allows for multiple configurations
- One speaker box projects 180° or 360° when secured back to back
- Adjustable time intervals and programmable Quiet Times
- Solar powered options
- Expertly curated sound sets as well as 40 different bird sounds to target select ecosystems
MESH SQUAWK BOX
Airscare
The Margo AirScare Inflatable Deterrent is a human-sized effigy that rapidly inflates in a jack-in-the-box motion to scare off problem birds. The unit can also be easily staked into the ground to prevent base movement in windy conditions.
The collapsible inner guide pole
allows for operation in 0-40km/h (0-25mi/hr) winds.
MESH AIRSCARE
- 6’ 2” tall including base
- Rust-resistant stainless steel construction
- Uses a 12V battery, designed for use with Solar Case Kit
- UV and water-resistant rip-stop nylon fabric
- Designed for remote deployment using the High Frequency Radio Control
Robo-Falcon
The Margo Robo-Falcon is a visual deterrent intended to imitate the movements of a live falcon. Uses realistic movements to ward off birds.
- Weather resistant and easy-to-use control box
- Solar powered options
- Easy to mount and install
Margo Robo-Falcon
Solar Kit with MPPT Controller
- Maintain charged batteries with solar power
- Panel charges the 14Ah, gel cell 12v battery
(included) - Gel cell frost proof long-lasting batteries
- Includes a Margo MPPT charge controller
Solar Case Kit
Pyrotechnics for Bird Hazing
Pyrotechnic launchers are an effective solution to prevent bird habituation. We recommend using the Record Single Shot and Record Double shot launchers for oil field use. These are the launchers that we provide the most detailed information on in our Training Course.
Pyrotechnic launchers require blanks to propel the scare cartridges. The cartridges we offer have differing ranges and audio / visual effects. Launchers are affordable tools to protect from bird habituation in areas that are dangerous for them or any areas where they may create issues for operations. Pyrotechnic scare cartridges also function as an emergency signal.
The lightweight launchers are easy to use and blanks can be safely pre-loaded for faster firing when you need it. These launchers are ideal for oil sands operations.
Recommended Launchers
Record Single-Shot Launcher
- Easy to operate and maintain
- Uses 6mm crimped blanks
- Load single cartridges
- Safety orange colour
Record Double-Shot Launcher
- Easy to operate and maintain
- Uses 6mm crimped blanks
- Load two cartridges at once
- Safety orange colour
Recommended Cartridges
AUDIO ONLY
Bangers
- 50 rounds per box
- Range: 30m (90ft)
- Auditory Effect: loud explosive report at end of range
Screamers
- 50 rounds per box
- Range: 75m (250ft)
- Auditory Effect: loud screeching sound through entire range
Whistlers
- 50 rounds per box
- Range: 75m (250ft)
- Auditory Effect: loud whistling sound through entire range
AUDIO + VISUAL
Bangers with Green Trace
- 50 rounds per box
- Range: 30m (90ft)
- Effect: loud explosive sound at end of range. Green ‘trace’ effect through entire range
Screamers with Silver Comet
- 50 rounds per box
- Range: 75m (250ft)
- Effect: loud screeching sound with visible trail through entire range
Whistlers with Silver Comet
- 50 rounds per box
- Range: 75m (250ft)
- Effect: Loud whistling sound with visible trail through entire range
Electric Fencing
Electric fencing is a non-lethal deterrent that protects attractants from both large and small mammals. The brief and unpleasant shock quickly teaches animals to avoid the area. Electric fencing can seem daunting but is actually fairly simple and easy to construct.
There are many different materials and types of fencing to choose from, but as long as the fence follows these principles, it will keep bears out.
Margo Supplies carries the highest quality fencing materials as well as the expertise and experience needed to provide custom solutions for every customer.
Margo Supplies not only provides the knowledge and products needed for customers to implement their own electric fencing, we also offer
contracted fence work.
VOLTAGE
A minimum of 7,000 volts measure at any point in the fence.
GROUNDING
Always use purpose built electrical ground material.
WIRE SPACING
Wires must be spaced so animals cannot go through, under, or over the fence.
NO OBVIOUS WEAKNESS
Bears are intelligent and opportunistic and will exploit any
weaknesses such as dig or
climb spots.
TIGHT WIRES
Must have enough tension to separate the hair of an animal and deliver a shock to the
hide.
MAINTENANCE & MONITORING
Fence line should be constructed away from brush and regularly checked.