New AI use cases emerge in African conservation

From the newsletter

Boulder Imaging has announced a partnership with Roc Conservation Tech to expand the global reach of its IdentiFlight product to enhance wildlife conservation within the wind energy sector. IdentiFlight is an AI bird detection system aimed at mitigating the impact of wind energy projects on bird populations.

• This is the latest example of AI aiding African conservation. It enhances anti-poaching efforts, wildlife monitoring, and ecosystem preservation. Through real-time surveillance, predictive models and wildlife tracking, AI can help to protect species, stud animal behavior, and monitor forests.

• IdentiFlight uses AI and optical sensors to detect and classify risks to endangered birds. It shuts down wind turbines when collision risks exceed thresholds, optimising energy production while protecting wildlife.

More details

• "The need for sustainable energy solutions also entails a responsibility to protect biodiversity. South Africa's wind energy sector is expanding rapidly, yet it is home to diverse and vulnerable bird populations that require advanced conservation measures. Partnering with IdentiFlight to deploy these systems in South African wind farms will help ensure that renewable energy expansion in the region is both responsible and sustainable.” said Dirk van der Walt, founder of Roc Conservation Tech.

• Don Mills, president and chief operating officer of Boulder Imaging, further emphasised the importance of strong partnerships for both Boulder Imaging's mission and the continued growth of IdentiFlight. He noted that the collaboration with Roc Conservation Tech brings valuable local expertise and resources to the South African market, enhancing their capacity to serve customers more efficiently and effectively.

• A report by BirdLife South Africa in 2023 revealed that 2,444 dead birds were found across 33 of the country’s 35 wind farms over an eight-year period, involving over 200 species. Notably, ten percent of these fatalities involved birds of conservation concern. Wind turbine fatalities are increasingly threatening local bird populations in Africa, with species such as the Egyptian Vulture and the Golden Eagle already affected. In South Africa, wind energy may exacerbate the risk of extinction for the Black Harrier.

• Using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and optical sensor technology, IdentiFlight detects, classifies, and quantifies risks to sensitive bird species such as the Cape vulture, martial eagle, Verreaux's eagle, and blue crane. If the collision risk exceeds a predetermined threshold, IdentiFlight can temporarily shut down affected wind turbines on demand, optimising energy production while minimising environmental impact.

• The first IdentiFlight station in South Africa was installed in June 2024. This system has already been trained to detect and classify over 20 unique species with more than 98% accuracy, including the Cape vulture, African marsh harrier, and African fish eagle.

• BirdLife reports that South Africa has 1,421 wind turbines generating 3,490 MW, with plans to reach 17,700 MW by 2030. While all wind farms are legally required to monitor and report bird deaths, many fail to comply.

• In 2023, Gabon tested an AI-powered camera to protect its critically endangered African forest elephants. The system, connected to satellites, captures real-time data to alert rangers about elephant movements, poaching, and conflicts with humans. In 72 days, the system took 217 elephant photos with 82% accuracy, improving response times and conservation efforts in Gabon, which houses 60-70% of the species in Africa.

• In Kenya, AI technology from International Business Machines Corporation is enhancing reforestation efforts, particularly around the country's vital water towers. Using NASA satellite data, the AI model tracks tree planting and biomass changes, helping quantify reforestation success. Since its introduction in 2020, it has informed the Kenyan government's pledge to plant 15 billion trees by 2032. The AI model offers data-driven insights, fostering confidence and driving further investment in climate solutions, with early results showing positive impacts on tree cover.

Our take

• Wind farms in Africa must take proactive measures to protect migratory birds, as the continent serves as a crucial flyway for globally threatened species. The pursuit of renewable energy should not come at the expense of biodiversity.

• By implementing technologies such as IdentiFlight and adopting proactive conservation strategies, like those employed in Kipeto, we can ensure that the development of clean energy aligns with ecological responsibility, thereby preserving Africa's rich avian diversity for future generations.