Method and apparatus for monitoring and/or controlling food access for a caged animal

A monitoring apparatus for use with a computer device for monitoring activity of an animal in a cage, the apparatus comprising:

• a camera unit arranged to be supported in proximity to the cage, the camera unit including (i) a camera arranged to capture images of the cage with the animal therein, and (ii) a data transmission module arranged to transmit the image data as a time-series of captured images to the computer device;
• and
• a memory storing programming instructions arranged to be executed by the computer device so as to be configured to:
• process the time-series of captured images by applying a deep learning algorithm to the captured images to identify the animal in each image;
• identify a location of the animal relative to the cage in each image;
• compare the captured images of the time-series of captured images to one another to determine one or more movements of the animal relative to the cage over time, including calculating (i) one or more magnitudes relating to a magnitude of movement of the animal relative to the cage between the captured images being compared and (ii) one or more frequencies relating to a frequency of movement of the animal relative to the cage between the captured images being compared, wherein said one or more movements are defined at least in part by said one or more magnitudes and said one or more frequencies;
• compare said one or more movements that are defined at least in part by said one or more magnitudes and one or more frequencies to an irregular movement criterium;
• and
• generate an alert to the user if said one or more movements meet the irregular movement criterium.