AI Helps Protect Amur Tigers in Russia

In Russia’s Primorsky Krai, scientists are using neural networks to monitor and protect endangered Amur tigers and Far Eastern leopards, speeding up wildlife tracking and boosting conservation efforts.

Biologists in Russia’s Primorsky Krai have introduced advanced technology to monitor the populations of Amur tigers and Far Eastern leopards. Neural networks analyze camera trap images, identifying each animal by its unique fur pattern and dramatically accelerating the counting process, Vesti Primorye reports.

Previously, processing thousands of images took months; now, AI can do it in hours. The system not only recognizes individual animals but also assesses their condition—spotting injuries or changes in weight. It can even estimate a tiger’s age and the density of its population.

The project is based on technology developed in collaboration with Indian scientists and trained on Russia’s largest camera trap database, which also includes images of bears, deer, and other wildlife.

In the future, researchers plan to teach the AI to analyze the health of entire ecosystems—by monitoring animal behavior, bird songs, and even the rustling of leaves.

This initiative shows how cutting-edge technology can enhance biodiversity protection in Russia, making wildlife conservation more efficient and responsive.