AI, satellite technology aid migratory birds protection in China

Researchers in nature reserves across China are using artificial intelligence (AI) recognition and satellite positioning technologies to help track and protect migrating birds.

Yeyahu National Wetland Park in Beijing is a major transit center for birds migrating from East Asia to Australia, with 32 species passing through, including white spoonbills, gray cranes and herons, some of which are under national protection.

Guo Xuxiong, head of the local scientific research and monitoring section, said the reserve has installed high-definition video monitors in key areas. With the help of AI recognition technology, they can clearly see the habits of different bird species, making up for the lack of manual monitoring.

"We were able to monitor the time and number of heron arrivals very accurately. We can also regulate the water level, observing the effect of high and low water levels on their habitat, and if the water level is too high or [too low], we will regulate it in time," said Guo.

In addition to AI recognition, satellite tracking technology allows researchers to track migratory birds in real time. They band birds with bird trackers that can send them real-time locations via satellite to help map their migration routes.

Qian Fawen, director of the National Bird Banding Center of China, said bird banding researchers can see the migration routes of various bird species across the country using their self-developed online platform.

"We are now looking at the [migration path] in the last month; these black-necked cranes have returned to Zoige, Sichuan Province, indicating that they have already returned to their breeding ground," said Qian.

With the information collected, researchers can make timely and scientifically sound conservation decisions for nationally protected birds such as black-necked cranes, whooping cranes and oriental white storks, including increasing farmland habitat to provide resting and feeding areas for migrating birds.

Since some birds migrate across borders, Chinese researchers also share their data with their peers from other countries to collaborate on wildlife conservation.

"We [have established] a close exchange of information with our counterparts in the international arena, especially in bird banding. For example, in Japan, we have an annual information exchange on red-crowned cranes, black-billed gulls, geese and ducks and other birds. We can only protect international migratory birds if we pay attention to them and protect them together," said Qian.