Thermal drones, in conjunction with emerging artificial intelligence technology, are proving to be effective in bolstering Alberta’s defenses against invasive and destructive wild boar. Hannah McKenzie, a wild boar specialist with the Alberta government, spearheaded the Wild Boar at Large Detection Project, utilizing various tools to combat the issue, with drones playing a significant role.
A recent report highlights a partnership between Alberta Agriculture and the University of Calgary to test a novel aerial surveillance method for tracking wild boar, which pose a growing threat to agriculture and ecosystems in the Prairies. The report, released on the Alberta government website in late March, emphasizes the use of automated drones equipped with infrared cameras as an innovative and non-invasive alternative for detection.
In the spring of 2024, researchers deployed thermal drones equipped with heat radiation sensors to detect wild boar bodies. Thermal imaging, particularly effective at night, allows for clear identification of heat signatures from the boars against their cooler surroundings. Subsequently, artificial intelligence programs were trained to analyze the captured footage accurately and count the number of wild boars spotted.
Traditional tracking methods such as ground tracking and helicopter surveys have limitations due to the nocturnal and cautious nature of wild boar. Ryan Brook, the lead researcher for the Canadian Wild Pig Research Project, highlighted the value of aerial surveillance in overcoming these challenges. Thermal drones have demonstrated success in addressing wild boar infestations in other regions.
The feral pig population in Alberta comprises hybrids of Eurasian wild boar and domestic pigs, known for their destructive behavior and prolific breeding. These omnivores, weighing between 55 to 115 kilograms, pose a severe threat to natural habitats, crops, and livestock, besides spreading diseases like African swine fever. The provincial government is actively engaged in eradication efforts to prevent potential devastation to the pork industry.
The drone project aims to enhance Alberta’s proactive approach by training AI programs to detect wild boar effectively, creating a standardized database for sightings, and developing a digital habitat map to predict the likely presence of feral herds in the province. The testing involved two boar operations in Alberta, covering over 3,000 kilometers with thermal imaging used for training AI models. Despite promising results, challenges remain in accurately identifying small piglets and distinguishing boars from other wildlife.
The project also generated a habitat suitability map to predict wild boar habitats in Alberta, aiding in targeted mitigation efforts. Mathieu Pruvot, a veterinary epidemiology expert at the University of Calgary, emphasized the collaborative and long-term nature of the monitoring program. While progress has been made, the eradication of wild boar is a long-term endeavor requiring a national strategy to combat this elusive species effectively.