Automated Detection and Counting of Wild Boar in Camera Trap Images

Abstract: Simple SummaryThis study shows that automated computer vision techniques are highly effective when used to analyze images and to extract valuable information from them. We trained an algorithm with a set of 1600 images obtained from a study where wildlife approaching wild boar carcasses were monitored. This enabled the model to detect different classes of animals automatically in their natural environment with a mean average precision of 98.11%. AbstractCamera traps are becoming widely used for wildlife monitoring and management. However, manual analysis of the resulting image sets is labor-intensive, time-consuming and costly. This study shows that automated computer vision techniques can be extremely helpful in this regard, as they can rapidly and automatically extract valuable information from the images. Specific training with a set of 1600 images obtained from a study where wild animals approaching wild boar carcasses were monitored enabled the model to detect five different classes of animals automatically in their natural environment with a mean average precision of 98.11%, namely ‘wild boar’, ‘fox’, ‘raccoon dog’, ‘deer’ and ‘bird’. In addition, sequences of images were automatically analyzed and the number of wild boar visits and respective group sizes were determined. This study may help to improve and speed up the monitoring of the potential spread of African swine fever virus in areas where wild boar are affected. Keywords: computer vision; European wildlife; camera trap; wild boar; animal counting; animal detection

Schütz, A.K.; Louton, H.; Fischer, M.; Probst, C.; Gethmann, J.M.; Conraths, F.J.; Homeier-Bachmann, T. Automated Detection and Counting of Wild Boar in Camera Trap Images. Animals 2024, 14, 1408. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14101408

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