The University of New Mexico (UNM) announced that in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it has initiated the "Drones for Ducks" project, aiming to create a machine-learning model prototype capable of counting birds through drone-captured images. Preliminary results suggest a 95% accuracy in bird detection. This innovative approach to wildlife study seeks to make population tracking more efficient and less disruptive to the animals themselves.
The project began as an ambitious undertaking by two dedicated academics. For three years, Christopher Lippitt and Rowan Converse, from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Geography & Environmental Studies at UNM have worked on developing an AI model for counting birds in drone-captured photos. In the upcoming winter, they plan to conduct a comprehensive waterfowl survey using AI technology, comparing its results with those obtained through traditional methods by wildlife managers in Bosque Del Apache and Texas Chenier Plain Refuge Complex, according to a press release by UNM.
The benefits of this technological innovation go beyond mere efficiency. "Ideally it makes collecting the data more quick and efficient, it helps the biologists get the information they need more quickly by running it through the model, and they get an output that they can interpret in a timely manner," said Converse, according to a press release by UNM. "We also hope that this is less disruptive for wildlife. A lot of the species seem to not react much to the drone going over, whereas some of the traditional methods involve flushing them out so they can be counted."
This system's contribution extends into climate change studies and ecosystem management. Accurate population counts of migratory birds are vital for assessing climate change impacts, determining the need for additional bird food, and obtaining other valuable insights. The team anticipates that the AI system will enhance data accuracy, providing wildlife managers with quicker access to information crucial for making timely intervention decisions, according to a press release by UNM.
Collaboration plays a key role in the project's success. "That’s the kind of thing that happens when we work closely with our different stakeholders and collaborators," said Lippitt, according to a press release by UNM. "The more that UNM students and faculty have access to the problems that are faced by our state and federal agencies, the more we are able to partner with them to help solve them and that is mutually beneficial in every possible respect."
