AI can help us better understand global threats to wildlife

Over half of bat species face extinction threats. Using AI tools, researchers were able to sift through vast quantities of data - comprising social media observations and anecdata - to gather where in the world bat exploitation was high or rising. This is especially significant in the post-Covid world. (Photo credit: Abijith KA via Wikimedia Commons)

A groundbreaking study recently published in Conservation Biology by the University of Sussex sheds light on how researchers are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology and social media to uncover global threats to wildlife.

Utilising AI algorithms, the team at Sussex tapped into online platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Bing to chart the worldwide landscape of threats facing bats, particularly from hunting and trade.

In a remarkable discovery, the Sussex team identified 22 countries engaged in bat exploitation, including Bahrain, Spain, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Singapore—previously unnoticed by conventional academic research. Singapore, in particular, emerged with the highest number of new records.

To achieve this feat, the researchers devised an automated system capable of conducting extensive searches across multiple platforms. Through AI-powered data filtering, they sifted through vast amounts of information, compiling a comprehensive global database of "bat exploitation records" gleaned from online observations and anecdotes.

By juxtaposing online records with traditional academic sources, the team gained valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of bat threats, considering factors like global events and internet access locations.

Bats, comprising a significant portion of mammal species globally, play pivotal roles in ecosystems as pollinators, seed dispersers, and pest controllers. Yet, over half of bat species face extinction threats, prompting urgent conservation action. The importance of understanding bat exploitation is even more crucial amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, where bats were hunted for meat and traded for curios and medicines.

This research, leveraging online platforms, unveils critical evidence that can inform wildlife conservation efforts. The researchers emphasise that online data sources are cost-effective and can enable global analyses that would otherwise be difficult or even impossible through traditional field studies. The real-time nature of online data acquisition also ensures a dynamic understanding of evolving threats.

The study underscores the immense potential of social media and online content in enhancing our understanding of wildlife threats worldwide. It also showcases its value in bolstering conservation decision-making to protect vulnerable wildlife populations and preserve biodiversity worldwide.