Squirrel AI Agent Aims to Save Dwindling Species

Conservationists aiming to protect the U.K.’s dwindling red squirrel population have turned to a new AI tool to identify, track and treat squirrels.

The red squirrel population has drastically declined since the introduction of gray squirrels in the 1870s, dropping from 3.5 million to a few hundred thousand. Meanwhile, the gray squirrel population has soared to an estimated 2.7 million.

Gray squirrels outcompete their red rivals for resources and carry the squirrelpox virus, which is deadly to red squirrels.

Red squirrel conservation projects are trialing a new AI tool, Squirrel Agent AI, developed by Genysys Engine, to help recover endangered red squirrel populations and inform broader wildlife management strategies.

Squirrel Agent can distinguish between red and gray squirrels with 97% accuracy using visual cues including chins, ears and tails.

This information can be used to trigger actions, such as alerting conservationists of a sighting, activating feeders or delivering medicine for red squirrels. For gray squirrels, it could potentially activate traps or trigger contraceptive delivery systems to control the population.

The AI agent can trigger actions based on squirrel species. Credit: Genysys Engine

Five organizations, including Bangor University, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Ulster Wildlife, are testing the system.

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Emma McClenaghan, CEO of Genysys Engine, initially developed Squirrel Agent with her partner to increase the local squirrel population to give their dog something entertaining to watch.

The technology is being further developed to recognize individual squirrels by analyzing their unique whisker patterns. This could enable tracking of squirrel movements and lineage, providing data for conservation efforts.