Forget about pigs flying, we’re about to see texting sheep in the near future. Researchers in Switzerland are developing a collar that will monitor a sheep’s heart rate and text the flock’s shepherd is something spokes them. They’ve already run one trial and are looking to test it in the field next year. Here’s more from engadget:

A recent trial in Switzerland outfitted 10 sheep with heart monitoring collars and submitted them to a simulated wolf attack, causing their heart rate to jump from 60 / 80 BPM to 225. The team behind the experiment hope to pair the significant change in heart rate with a future device that releases a predator deterrent while simultaneously sending a text message to the local shepherd. Complete prototypes are being prepped for a 2013 trial in Switzerland and France, where wolf attacks are on the rise.

I hope the shepherd has good cell phone reception.