Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Innovation.
How AI is Transforming Wildlife Protection
Conservationists are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to address the escalating threats to red squirrels in the UK. The introduction of an AI-powered system called Squirrel Agent marks a significant advancement in efforts to monitor and manage wildlife populations. With its ability to distinguish between red and grey squirrels with 97% accuracy, the technology promises to streamline conservation efforts while addressing the urgent need to protect vulnerable red squirrel populations.
“AI has the potential to revolutionize conservation work,” says Emma McClenaghan, co-founder of Genysys Engine, the company behind the innovation. “It’s working in real-time to accomplish tasks we simply don’t have enough human resources to handle.”
Squirrel Agent: The New Guardian of Red Squirrels
The Squirrel Agent system has been trained on thousands of squirrel images, enabling it to analyze physical markers such as tails, ears, size, and weight to distinguish between red and grey squirrels—even when their colors are similar. Once a squirrel is identified, the system can grant access to feeders with food for reds or to feeders containing contraceptive paste for greys.
Currently being tested at several locations across the UK with the help of five wildlife charities, the system could be a game changer for conservation. By automating the identification and intervention process, it fills a critical gap in manpower and resources, allowing conservationists to focus their efforts where they’re needed most.
Grey Squirrels: The Red Menace
The grey squirrel population, introduced to the UK roughly 200 years ago, has been a driving force behind the sharp decline of native red squirrels. Greys not only outcompete reds for food and territory but also carry squirrelpox, a virus that is harmless to greys but often fatal for reds.
“Red squirrels are hanging on in Scotland, Ireland, and a few isolated islands like Anglesey and the Isle of Wight,” says Ian Glendinning from Northern Red Squirrels. “But on the mainland, their situation is dire. Without urgent action, extinction is a real possibility.”
The Role of AI in Wildlife Monitoring and Control
Squirrel Agent represents a leap forward in conservation technology. Its ability to quickly process data eliminates the time-consuming work required of human volunteers, who must manually observe, identify, and intervene. With Squirrel Agent, decisions about providing food to red squirrels or delivering contraceptives to greys are made instantly, boosting the efficiency of conservation programs.
“It’s a perfect example of what AI can do to support conservation,” McClenaghan explains. “This is especially critical because we don’t have enough human resources to manage these tasks on the scale that’s needed.”
Whiskers as Fingerprints: Identifying Individual Squirrels
In its next phase, the Squirrel Agent system aims to go beyond species identification and focus on individual squirrels. Using AI to analyze whiskers which are unique to each squirrel researchers hope to track individuals and gather data on family lines and population dynamics.
“Whiskers are like human fingerprints,” says McClenaghan. By examining the length, base, and tips of whiskers, AI can uniquely identify individual squirrels, enabling researchers to monitor movement patterns, mating habits, and generational changes. Over time, this data could provide valuable insights into red squirrel population health and resilience.
Broader Applications of AI in Conservation Efforts
The use of AI in wildlife conservation isn’t limited to squirrels. AI has already demonstrated its value in other areas, such as identifying survivors in Australia’s fire ravaged ecosystems by analyzing millions of photographs for signs of life. Closer to home, hobbyists have also employed AI, including a British man who created a tool to monitor and deter wildlife from fouling his garden.
These examples underscore the versatility of AI in solving complex problems across diverse environments. The technology’s ability to process vast amounts of data quickly and accurately makes it an invaluable tool for conservationists tackling everything from habitat loss to invasive species.
Can Technology Save the Red Squirrel?
The adoption of AI tools like Squirrel Agent represents a critical turning point in the fight to save red squirrels. While challenges remain, including the vast dominance of grey squirrels and the logistical hurdles of implementing such systems nationwide, conservationists are optimistic.
“We’re in the last-chance saloon for red squirrels,” says Glendinning. “AI offers hope in a battle that, until now, has felt impossible to win.”
As Squirrel Agent continues its trials, its success could pave the way for broader AI applications in wildlife conservation, offering a glimpse into a future where technology and nature work hand in hand to preserve biodiversity.
