TrailGuard AI is a state-of-the-art, AI-powered camera-based alert system designed to enhance wildlife conservation and human-wildlife coexistence in remote areas. The system is proving to be a game-changer in anti-poaching efforts, with successful implementation in India’s Similipal Tiger Reserve and other protected areas.
TrailGuard AI in Action
- 100-150 AI-enabled cameras were installed in Similipal Tiger Reserve as part of an early warning system.
- The system relays real-time images of people and wildlife, analyzing them for potential poaching threats.
- Major Impact: 96 poachers arrested in the past 10 months, 86 country-made guns seized. In December alone, over 40 poachers were caught using TrailGuard AI alerts.
- TrailGuard AI is revolutionizing wildlife protection by providing advanced, cost-effective, and efficient surveillance solutions, ensuring better conservation and security of endangered species.
What is TrailGuard AI?
- Developed by: Nightjar Technologies, a Gurgaon-based social impact enterprise specializing in remote surveillance devices for conservation.
- Unique Design:
- Two-unit structure: A camera unit (pen-sized). A battery/communication unit (notepad-sized), connected via a 2-meter cable.
- This small and dispersed design reduces the risk of poachers detecting or stealing the devices.
- Long Battery Life: Lasts 6 months to 1 year depending on image transmission frequency.
- Cost: Rs. 50,000 – 53,000 per unit, making it affordable compared to other surveillance technologies.
How TrailGuard AI Works?
- AI-Enabled Camera Deployment:
- Installed in dense vegetation along animal trails or access points.
- Motion-Activated AI Processing:
- Operates in low-power mode until movement is detected.
- Switches to high-power mode to capture images.
- On-the-Edge AI Algorithm:
- Sorts objects into categories like ‘humans’, ‘animals’, and ‘vehicles’ using built-in AI chips.
- If a potential poacher is detected, it sends an instant alert.
- Real-Time Alert Transmission:
- Sends images in 30-40 seconds via cellular networks to security teams.
- Rapid Response Mechanism:
- Enables quick action against poachers, illegal loggers, or human-wildlife conflicts.
Applications and Significance
First Major Success: Similipal Tiger Reserve (Odisha) as an anti-poaching tool.
Current Deployments:
- 5 states, 14+ locations in India.
- Kanha Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) – 20 cameras.
- Dudhwa National Park (Uttar Pradesh) – 10 cameras.
Future Expansion:
- Being considered for wider deployment to prevent human-wildlife conflicts and illegal activities in protected areas.
Significance of TrailGuard AI in Wildlife Conservation
- Reduces poaching activities significantly through early detection.
- Enhances forest security by enabling real-time surveillance.
- Prevents human-wildlife conflict by monitoring wildlife movements.
- Improves conservation efforts with AI-powered automation.