The issue of catching on-target pests is being addressed with the use of AI in New Zealand’s South Island.
One of the issues with traps is that they can catch non-target animals. Not only can this cause the death of a non-target animal, in the case of lethal traps, but it means the trap is occupied until it can be emptied, making it redundant for a period of time. Researchers in New Zealand are evaluating AI image recognition as a tool to resolve this issue.
A pilot study using 100 traps has been set up as part of the Halo Project surrounding the Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Otago. The camera system takes images of an animal approaching a trap; if the system identifies the animal as a pest (rather than a native animal or domestic pet), the trap will be armed to capture the pest (for example, a possum). This way, the system should operate with high efficiency, avoiding catching non-targets and keeping traps operational. The AI system is currently in the learning phase to distinguish between different animals.