Conservationists turn to AI in battle to save red squirrels

Conservationists are turning to a new technology called artificial intelligence, or AI, to help save red squirrels from extinction. The tool, known as Squirrel Agent, has been developed to distinguish between red squirrels and their grey counterparts. This AI system has been trained using thousands of images of both types of squirrels, allowing it to identify them with an impressive accuracy rate of 97%. This means that Squirrel Agent can automatically manage access to squirrel feeders, ensuring that only red squirrels can access food while grey squirrels are directed to feeders that contain contraceptive paste. Emma McClenaghan, co-founder of Genysys Engine, the company behind this innovative tool, stated, 'It’s a real showcase of what AI can do. ' Currently, Squirrel Agent is being tested in various locations across the UK in collaboration with five wildlife charities. The developers hope that this technology can eventually be applied to monitor other species that could benefit from advanced digital tracking. Ian Glendinning, a representative from Northern Red Squirrels, one of the conservation groups involved in the project, expressed the urgent need for technological assistance in protecting these animals. He remarked, 'We are in the bar of the last chance saloon, and the landlord has just called last orders. ' This highlights the critical situation red squirrels are facing. The decline of red squirrels is largely attributed to the increasing population of grey squirrels. Grey squirrels not only outnumber red squirrels but also carry a virus that is harmless to them but fatal to red squirrels. These grey squirrels were introduced to the UK approximately 200 years ago. Mr. Glendinning explained that while red squirrels are still surviving in Scotland and Ireland, as well as on certain islands like Anglesey and the Isle of Wight, the situation on the mainland of England and Wales is dire. Without intervention, red squirrels could face extinction. The technology is currently being trialed in several woodlands throughout the UK. One of the challenges in conserving red squirrels is that not all red squirrels are easily identifiable by color alone. There are various physical characteristics, such as tail shape, ear size, and overall weight, that can help differentiate them from the more dominant grey squirrels, even if they share similar colors. The process of identifying these features can be time-consuming for human observers, but Squirrel Agent utilizes the power of AI to quickly analyze these characteristics and accurately determine which squirrel is which. This allows the system to make decisions that can either enhance the survival chances of red squirrels by providing them with additional food or reduce the reproduction rates of grey squirrels by guiding them towards contraceptive options. Genysys Engine is looking to advance the technology further by not only distinguishing between red and grey squirrels but also identifying individual animals. Emma McClenaghan explained that this will be achieved by focusing on the unique whiskers of each squirrel, which are akin to human fingerprints. By analyzing the tips, bases, and lengths of the whiskers, the AI hopes to enable wildlife experts to track and monitor individual members of the squirrel population. Over time, this data will accumulate, allowing scientists and researchers to trace family lines within the species. There are already numerous examples of AI's capability to process vast amounts of data quickly, proving beneficial for conservation efforts. For instance, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) employed AI technology to assess a large area in Australia that had been devastated by bushfires, helping them locate regions where animals had managed to survive. Additionally, AI has been embraced by wildlife enthusiasts, with one British individual creating a tool called the Furbinator 3000 to assist in wildlife conservation efforts. This demonstrates the potential of technology to play a significant role in the protection of endangered species.