In India, Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled cameras have become a guardian of wildlife; in particular, they are sending out tiger alerts in real-time.
The use of AI enabled cameras is a major step in the effort to protect and monitor tigers in India. It is estimated that India contains 70 percent of the world’s wild tiger population, but poaching and human-wildlife conflict continue to be major threats to these big cats.
A Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) and Microsoft collaboration in India’s Western Ghats called Project Vihara is using AI enabled cameras to detect tigers and other wild animals in the dense forest. The project is deployed in 30 locations across the four Tiger Reserves of the landscape to identify and protect wildlife from poachers and other threats.
The AI-enabled cameras recognize the face of an animal and are able to send an alert on any disturbances in the area, like a tiger sighting. The camera can identify the species of wildlife and send out a real-time alert to the forest department.
The AI camera and alert system are connected to a base station with local wireless connectivity that can interpret and send out alerts to mobile phones and forest officials. The camera is powered by solar energy, making it easier to deploy in remote areas.
The project has already reported success in nabbing poachers and providing officials with the help needed to protect these massive cats.
Despite tigers and other wildlife being threatened by poaching and other threats, programs like Project Vihara are becoming a valuable asset in protecting and monitoring India’s wildlife. With a further technological push, and research, AI enabled cameras can soon cause India to become an even stronger guard of its wildlife.
