Squirrel Agent could revolutionise wildlife conservation
Conservationists are testing an AI tool to save red squirrels by distinguishing them from greys with 97% accuracy.
An innovative AI system called Squirrel Agent is being tested across the UK to help conserve endangered red squirrels. Developed by Genysys Engine, the tool uses thousands of images to distinguish between red and grey squirrels with 97% accuracy. It controls access to feeders, ensuring reds receive food while greys are directed to feeders containing contraceptive paste to reduce their population.
Conservationists believe this technology could be transformative. Grey squirrels, introduced to the United Kingdom 200 years ago, have significantly contributed to the decline of red squirrels by outcompeting them and spreading a lethal virus. The AI can rapidly analyse markers like size and weight, making it far more efficient than human observers in distinguishing between the two species.
Future upgrades aim to identify individual squirrels using their unique whisker patterns, enabling researchers to track family lines and monitor populations more closely. Similar AI applications have already proven useful in wildlife conservation, such as mapping animal survival in fire-affected regions.
