A new conservation project in Pakistan is using artificial intelligence to protect endangered snow leopards and reduce human-wildlife conflict. The project aims to use technology to help both the big cats and the communities that live near them.
Globally, snow leopard numbers have decreased by 20% in the last 20 years, with only 4,000 to 6,000 remaining. Pakistan is home to about 300 snow leopards. WWF reports that up to 450 leopards are killed each year, mostly by farmers protecting their livestock.
WWF and Lahore University have created solar-powered AI cameras to detect snow leopards and send SMS alerts to villagers. The cameras use machine learning to tell the difference between humans, animals, and snow leopards.
The cameras have captured rare night footage of snow leopards. Building the network was challenging because they had to find batteries that could handle sub-zero temperatures and deal with cellular signal issues. Winning community trust also proved difficult due to cultural norms.
WWF will test new deterrents in September, including lights, smells, and sounds, to keep leopards away from villages. Conservationists are hopeful that technology can help protect these elusive predators.