Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a technology for the wealthy few but is now accessible to the average person. AI technology is not only changing the world of business and finance but also holds enormous potential in the field of wildlife conservation.
Wildlife conservation plays an important role in protecting endangered species and preserving the natural environment. It has been a challenging task for wildlife conservationists to manage and monitor the large areas covered by wildlife reserves. But with advancements in technology, particularly in the field of AI, it has become possible to conduct extensive monitoring and analytics, which can help identify threats to wildlife conservation.
AI technology offers several possibilities for wildlife conservationists to monitor and manage wildlife populations with greater ease and precision. Here we explore some of the AI applications in wildlife conservation and how they are benefiting animal welfare.
Wildlife monitoring using drones
Drones equipped with imaging sensors and machine learning algorithms can be used to monitor wildlife populations across large land areas. The technology offers a non-invasive way of counting animals and detecting changes in habitats. With the high-resolution images of animals captured from drones, conservationists can identify individual animals, keep track of their movements and analyze their behaviors to identify factors that affect their population.
The implementation of drone technology shows promising results for wildlife conservation. For instance, a team of conservationists in Mexico has monitored endangered vaquita porpoises using unmanned aerial vehicles that use object recognition and detection algorithms. Similarly, conservation organizations in Africa have started using drones to track poachers and monitor wildlife populations in real-time.
AI for protecting endangered species
The illegal trade of wildlife and poaching is a major problem for endangered species. Many endangered species are hunted for their meat, fur, and other parts that are used for medicinal purposes. In several countries, rangers are regularly threatened and attacked by poachers. Technology has now caught up with this menace, and AI is being used to protect endangered species.
AI-based monitoring systems using cameras and sensors can detect and alert protection officers when poachers infiltrate protected areas. Smart cameras aided with AI technology can distinguish human movements from animal movements and alert human rangers. The technology can also track the movements of poachers and pinpoint their entry points, thus making it easier to prevent them from entering protected areas.
Faced with a steep decline in rhino numbers due to poaching, South Africa’s Kruger National Park now uses AI to combat poaching. The park has installed a range of sensors for activity and acoustic monitoring to detect intruders. Rangers receive notifications on their mobile devices when intrusions are detected, allowing them to intercept and arrest the poachers before they cause harm. Kruger Park has seen a decline in rhino poaching incidents, and the park has attributed this to greater control and better monitoring due to AI technology.
AI mapping and conservation planning
AI can also help conservationists to map wildlife habitats and plan conservation strategies. Environmental scientists can use machine learning algorithms for predictive modeling of animal habitats, which can assist park managers with conservational planning. AI-based predictive models combine geographic, ecological, and social data to help conservationists identify optimal areas for protection efforts.
For most conservationists, it is critical to know how and where animals travel to adapt to their habitats to create comprehensive conservation policies. The Trans-Amazonian Wildlife Corridor is a significant project underway that uses AI to map the landscape and analyze potential conservation areas. The project will help identify areas that need conservation efforts and protect habitats for wildlife.
Conclusion
AI technology is helping wildlife conservationists to manage and protect wildlife populations effectively. Technologies such as drones, AI-based, smart cameras, and predictive habitat mapping have provided conservationists with critical tools to monitor and track wildlife behavior and population growth. AI technology is changing the way wildlife conservationists operate and strengthening efforts to protect endangered animals.
As we look to the future, AI technology will continue to evolve and drive transformational change in various sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and finance. However, AI-based tools will play a significant role in wildlife conservation, which remains one of the critical challenges of our time.