Could AI text alerts help save snow leopards from extinction?

Snow leopards are incredible creatures that inhabit the high mountains of Central Asia. Sadly, their numbers are dwindling, with estimates suggesting there are only between 4,000 and 6,000 snow leopards left in the wild. One particular snow leopard named 'Lovely' was rescued in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region when she was just a cub. Due to her upbringing, she has never learned to hunt and cannot be released back into the wild. Her caretaker, Tehzeeb Hussain, explains that if Lovely were to be set free, she would likely attack livestock, leading to her being killed by farmers. Despite laws in place to protect snow leopards, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reports that between 221 and 450 of these majestic animals are killed each year, primarily due to conflicts with farmers protecting their livestock. This has resulted in a significant decline of around 20% in the global snow leopard population over the last two decades. In Pakistan, there are approximately 300 snow leopards, making it home to the third-largest population in the world. To combat this alarming trend, the WWF, in collaboration with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), has developed innovative cameras powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These cameras are designed to detect the presence of snow leopards and send text alerts to local villagers, advising them to move their livestock to safer areas. The cameras are equipped with solar panels and lithium batteries, allowing them to function in the rugged mountain terrain. Positioned at nearly 3,000 meters above sea level, these cameras are strategically placed in areas known to be snow leopard territory. Conservationist Asif Iqbal from WWF Pakistan is optimistic about the project, as he believes the AI technology can accurately differentiate between humans, other animals, and snow leopards. Currently, the WWF is testing ten of these cameras across three villages in Gilgit-Baltistan. It has taken three years to train the AI model to recognize these categories with impressive accuracy. Asif demonstrated the technology by showing a dashboard on his computer, where he could see images captured by the cameras. He was pleased to see that the AI correctly identified him as a human, although it humorously misclassified him as an animal in another instance due to his thick white fleece. The highlight of the demonstration was a recent night-vision capture of a snow leopard, which Asif excitedly pointed out. Setting up the cameras in such challenging environments required a lot of trial and error. The WWF team experimented with various battery types until they found one that could withstand the harsh winter conditions. They also selected a specific paint to ensure the cameras would not reflect light and scare away animals. In case of cellular service failure, the cameras can still record and store data locally. However, the team has faced challenges, such as replacing solar panels damaged by landslides. Gaining the trust of the local community has also been a hurdle. Initially, some villagers were skeptical about the project and its potential benefits for both themselves and the snow leopards. Asif recounted instances where wires were cut, and blankets were thrown over the cameras. The WWF team has been careful to respect local customs, particularly regarding women's privacy, which led to the relocation of some cameras. Some villages have yet to sign consent forms, preventing the technology from being implemented in those areas. The WWF is committed to ensuring that local farmers do not share camera footage with poachers. One villager, Sitara, shared her heartbreaking story of losing all six of her sheep to a snow leopard. She expressed her despair, stating that it took her years of hard work to raise those animals, and losing them left her feeling hopeless. When asked if she believed the AI cameras could help in the future, she expressed doubt, saying, 'My phone barely gets any service during the day, how can a text help? ' However, at a gathering of village elders, some leaders noted that attitudes have shifted over the years, with more villagers recognizing the importance of snow leopards in maintaining the ecosystem. Snow leopards play a crucial role in hunting ibex and blue sheep, which helps prevent overgrazing and preserves grasslands for livestock. Yet, not everyone is convinced of the benefits of snow leopards. One farmer lamented the drastic reduction in his sheep population, attributing it to the threat posed by snow leopards and ibex. Climate change has also contributed to the challenges faced by both villagers and snow leopards. Rising temperatures have forced villagers to move their crops and livestock to higher altitudes, encroaching on the snow leopards' habitat and increasing the likelihood of livestock attacks. While the WWF team remains hopeful that their AI cameras will make a difference, they understand that this is not the only solution. In September, they plan to begin testing additional methods, such as using smells, sounds, and lights at camera sites to deter snow leopards from approaching nearby villages. Their mission to protect these elusive 'ghosts of the mountains' is far from over.