An\u00a0AI-powered\u00a0camera\u00a0platform\u00a0could\u00a0soon help\u00a0monitor\u00a0the health and behaviour of zoo animals overnight, thanks to a new partnership between the University of Surrey and Marwell Wildlife.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Researchers from Surrey\u2019s Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP)\u00a0are working closely with Marwell to\u00a0develop a\u00a0bespoke\u00a0AI nocturnal behaviour observation system\u00a0that interprets video footage and flags unusual behavioural patterns\u00a0in animals.\u00a0The three-year project will use\u00a0AI\u00a0and machine learning to study animals\u2019 night-time movements, helping zookeepers spot subtle signs of illness or distress that might otherwise go unnoticed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0observation\u00a0platform\u00a0will initially be tested in the enclosures of giraffes and red river hogs, allowing teams to develop and refine the system across\u00a0different species.\u00a0Its purpose is\u00a0to provide early alerts that will enable zoo staff to intervene sooner and potentially prevent minor health issues from developing into more serious conditions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
As well as improving welfare, the technology could help zoos better understand how animals interact with their environments, such as how lighting,\u00a0heating\u00a0or feeding times influence behaviour.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Professor\u00a0Kevin Wells, from the University of Surrey\u2019s Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing, and project lead at Surrey, said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted to be working with\u00a0the staff at\u00a0Marwell on this exciting\u00a0AI\u00a0project that will deliver\u00a0the first\u00a0AI\u00a0health and welfare monitoring\u00a0system\u00a0focused on zoo animals.\u00a0Marwell Wildlife has a tremendous\u00a0track record\u00a0of putting animal welfare front and centre, and this project will help enhance that work.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0a great example\u00a0of how\u00a0academia and\u00a0conservation\u00a0organisations can come together to develop technologies that support\u00a0conservation efforts.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Researchers and zoo staff hope the\u00a0system\u00a0could eventually be expanded to\u00a0monitor\u00a0other species and deployed in a range of settings, including wildlife parks, conservation\u00a0sites\u00a0and livestock monitoring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Laura Read, Chief Executive of Marwell Wildlife, said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Marwell Wildlife, we have always prided ourselves on pushing the boundaries of animal welfare standards that are achievable in a zoo setting. From early adoption of an evidence-based animal welfare assessment framework to the championing of naturally positive life experiences for all the animals in our care, we know that in a modern zoo, thriving animals and habitats are\u00a0absolutely paramount.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why we are very\u00a0excited to be working with the\u00a0University of Surrey on developing technology that could strengthen animal welfare further, giving us new insights into nocturnal behaviours and highlighting those extra details that can be difficult to spot with the human eye.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
With more than \u00a3344,000 in funding\u00a0through\u00a0an\u00a0Innovate\u00a0UK\u00a0Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP),\u00a0the project has also taken on\u00a0a\u00a0new\u00a0KTP\u00a0Associate \u2013 a graduate researcher who will work full-time on the project while gaining hands-on experience applying AI and data science in a conservation setting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dr Shona Campbell, Senior Knowledge Transfer Adviser at Innovate UK Business Connect, said:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0delighted to be supporting this KTP with Marwell Wildlife Trust and University of Surrey. Whilst all KTPs are unique I think we can be confident that no project has previously involved water hogs and giraffes. This project is also notable for deploying research\u00a0expertise\u00a0developed in the understanding and detection of human sleep patterns to zoo animals, delivering both academic and business impact.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Marwell Wildlife is an international conservation charity dedicated to protecting endangered species and restoring habitats both in the UK and overseas. Based in Hampshire, Marwell Zoo welcomes more than 500,000 visitors each year and engages over 40,000 children and young people through its education programmes. Its conservation biologists also run field projects in the UK and Africa, working with local communities and partner organisations to support wildlife and biodiversity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[ENDS]\u00a0<\/p>\n
Notes to editors\u00a0<\/p>\n
About Innovate UK KTPs\u00a0<\/p>\n