AI Cameras Help Protect Endangered Snow Leopards in Pakistan
In Pakistan, a groundbreaking conservation project is using artificial intelligence (AI) to safeguard endangered snow leopards and reduce human-wildlife conflict. The collaboration between WWF and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) is testing solar-powered AI cameras to detect snow leopards and alert local villagers.
Snow Leopard Crisis
- Population Decline: Snow leopards are critically endangered, with their numbers declining by 20% over the past 20 years. Only 4,000 to 6,000 remain globally, and about 300 live in Pakistan. Every year, up to 450 leopards are killed, mainly due to farmers defending their livestock.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: The conflict between farmers and snow leopards has escalated as farmers view the big cats as threats to their animals. This often leads to retaliatory killings, exacerbating the decline in leopard numbers.
How AI Cameras Work
- Solar-Powered AI Cameras: To combat this issue, WWF and LUMS developed AI-powered cameras that detect snow leopards in remote mountain regions. These cameras use machine learning to distinguish between animals, humans, and snow leopards, sending SMS alerts to nearby villagers when a leopard is detected.
- Real-Time Alerts: The SMS alerts enable villagers to take action to protect their livestock before any potential conflict with the leopards occurs. This early warning system is a vital step in reducing snow leopard killings.
Challenges in Implementing AI Technology
- Extreme Conditions: Installing and maintaining these AI cameras in Pakistan’s mountainous regions has been difficult. Harsh weather conditions and damaged solar panels have slowed progress, and data storage is often disrupted due to power outages.
- Community Resistance: Gaining trust from local communities has also been challenging. In some areas, villagers have covered the cameras, while others have tampered with the equipment. Cultural sensitivities, particularly regarding privacy, have led to camera relocations.
- Skepticism Among Locals: Some villagers are skeptical about the effectiveness of the system. For example, Sitara, a local farmer who lost six sheep to a snow leopard, questions how SMS alerts can help when cellular signal is unreliable.
The Way Forward
- Shifting Attitudes: Despite resistance, some villages, such as Khyber, are beginning to recognize the ecological role of snow leopards in maintaining balance by controlling overgrazing. This shift in perspective is key to the success of the project.
- Legal Support: WWF has worked alongside law enforcement, with poachers facing legal consequences, such as imprisonment. However, WWF acknowledges that technology alone won’t resolve the issue, and other measures, like deterrents using lights, sounds, and smells, will be tested soon.
Conclusion
The use of AI technology in snow leopard conservation is a promising step forward, but challenges remain. With continued community engagement and technological innovation, this project aims to secure a future for snow leopards and reduce human-wildlife conflicts in Pakistan’s highlands.
