Thermal drones paired with emerging artificial intelligence systems are proving effective in enhancing Alberta’s defenses against invasive and destructive wild boar.
Hannah McKenzie, the Alberta government’s wild boar specialist involved in the Wild Boar at Large Detection Project, highlighted the use of drones as a crucial tool in addressing the issue.
A recent report outlined a partnership between Alberta Agriculture and the University of Calgary to evaluate a new aerial surveillance method using automated drones with infrared cameras. This approach is considered innovative and less intrusive compared to traditional detection methods.
In the spring of 2024, researchers utilized thermal drones equipped with sensors to detect heat radiation emitted by wild boar. By conducting these nighttime flights, the drones captured distinct heat signatures of the animals against their cooler surroundings.
Subsequently, artificial intelligence programs were trained to analyze the footage and accurately identify wild boar while keeping track of the number of sightings. This method significantly enhances monitoring efficiency for a species that is challenging to observe.
Traditional tracking methods such as ground tracking and helicopter surveys have limitations due to the nocturnal behavior and intelligence of wild boar. The use of thermal drones provides a valuable aerial perspective, enabling better detection of the animals.
Ryan Brook, a lead researcher at the University of Saskatchewan, emphasized the importance of technological advancements in improving the capacity to locate and manage wild boar populations, which pose significant agricultural and ecological threats.
The feral pig population in Alberta comprises Eurasian wild boar and hybrid species resulting from interbreeding with domestic pigs. These hybrids, commonly referred to as “super pigs,” are highly destructive creatures known for their rapid breeding rates and destructive impact on natural habitats and agricultural lands.
Efforts to combat the wild boar issue in Alberta have been mainly reactive in the past. However, the implementation of drone technology opens up possibilities for proactive measures to control and potentially eradicate the invasive species.
The drone project aimed to train AI programs to effectively detect wild boar, establish a standardized database of sightings, and create a digital habitat map predicting the likely locations of feral herds in Alberta.
Through testing at two Alberta boar operations, researchers covered extensive distances and trained AI models using thermal images. Despite promising results, challenges remain in accurately detecting smaller piglets and distinguishing wild boar from other wildlife.
Future research will focus on refining the AI programs to differentiate between species and improve detection capabilities across diverse landscapes. The technology holds potential for disease outbreak monitoring, GPS tracking of sounders, and estimating the overall wild boar population in Alberta.
Moreover, a habitat suitability map was developed to identify areas where wild boar are likely to inhabit in Alberta. This mapping tool will aid in targeting mitigation efforts effectively and informing future strategies to combat the wild boar menace.
In conclusion, the collaborative efforts and technological advancements in Alberta’s wild boar monitoring program signify a significant step towards addressing the ongoing challenge of managing and potentially eradicating the invasive species.
