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AI-powered image filtering deployed by Tasmanian Land Conservancy has significantly enhanced conservation efforts, saving over 900 hours of volunteer time
The Tasmanian Land Conservancy has teamed up with Ionata Digital to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its wildlife monitoring tool WildTracker – which enables private landholders to upload, tag, and share camera trap images, contributing valuable data on Tasmania’s unique wildlife and endangered species.
Manually reviewing the vast number of images captured by camera traps is a time-intensive task. But since Ionata Digital integrated AI, known as Stickybeak, into the tool, it has drastically reduced the need for human review by automatically filtering out empty camera trap images. So far, Stickybeak has analysed 774,156 images, identifying 258,425 (29.2%) as blank – empty shots triggered by plants, shadows, or human activity. This automation has already saved over 900 hours of volunteer time – the equivalent of 23 weeks of work (based on a 38-hour week) – and will continue to enhance efficiency as more images are processed.
The AI is improving conservationists’ ability to monitor and understand wildlife on both protected and unprotected land. By increasing wildlife records in these areas, the tool supports data-driven conservation strategies and better-informed environmental decisions. The data it collects helps the Tasmanian Land Conservancy answer important ecological questions and better protect native species. These records contribute to important conservation science and a better understanding of how our natural environment is changing.
Stickybeak is powered by multiple models, including one developed by University of Tasmania using cutting-edge computer vision techniques inspired by the visual cortex in animals. The AI is powered by deep-learning algorithms known as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which enable highly accurate object recognition and classification. By mimicking human visual processing, the technology can efficiently analyse large datasets and improve species identification.
“AI is transforming the way we monitor wildlife. By automating image analysis, we can spend more time on the ground working with other landholders, implementing conservation efforts for threatened species and studying their habitats. One long-term goal is for AI to advance to the point where it can identify individual animals within a species, much like recognising faces in a crowd. Take quolls, for example: their unique coat patterns could one day be mapped by AI, allowing us to track individuals across different photos. Instead of painstakingly counting spots ourselves, we could use AI-driven insights to estimate population sizes with far greater accuracy – something that would take humans an enormous amount of time,” said Dr Glen Bain, Conservation Ecologist, Tasmanian Land Conservancy.
“This project is a perfect example of AI making a tangible impact on the world around us. By reducing the time conservationists spend sifting through images, we’re helping them focus on what really matters – protecting Tasmania’s unique wildlife. This is just the start, we’re eager to collaborate with other organisations to expand AI’s role in conservation and accelerate its impact across Australia,” said Martin Anderson, CEO & Founder, Ionata Digital.
“Collaborating with the Tasmanian Land Conservancy and Ionata Digital has been a fantastic opportunity to apply our cutting-edge AI research to real-world conservation challenges. The impact of this technology can be truly profound, helping us process vast amounts of ecological data with unprecedented speed and accuracy. As we refine the model, we hope to push the boundaries of AI in conservation – improving its accuracy, enhancing species identification, and ultimately improving how we protect Australia’s unique wildlife,” said Professor Barry Brook, University of Tasmania.
As Stickybeak continues to evolve, conservationists anticipate further advancements in species identification and habitat monitoring, paving the way for a new era of data-driven ecological preservation.
About Tasmanian Land Conservancy
The Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) is an independent, for-purpose, apolitical, science and community-based organisation that protects nature on private land.
Established in 2001 with $50 in the bank and a handful of committed volunteers, TLC has grown (through donations, bequests, partnerships and grants) to become one of Tasmania’s largest private landholders.
Through science, community and our reserves, we inspire and empower people to conserve nature in Tasmania – for the benefit of future generations, and for nature itself.
As climate change intensifies, our work is more important than ever for protecting the beautiful ecosystems that are fundamental to Tasmania’s character. Our network of 27 reserves covers more than 25,600 hectares and encompasses critical habitat for threatened and endangered species so they may thrive well into the future.
TLC works with hundreds of landholders across Tasmania, to identify, protect and manage nature on their properties through conservation initiatives (i.e., Land for Wildlife, Gardens for Wildlife, WildTracker and NRM covenanting programs), which help conserve over 79,500 ha of high conservation value land.
More information: https://tasland.org.au/about-
About Ionata Digital
Founded in 2001, Ionata Digital is a delivery-focused digital agency with studios in Melbourne and Hobart. The team combines craftsmanship, technology and innovation to design and develop websites, apps and bespoke digital solutions. From gift shops on Norfolk Island to Japanese dog food brands in Singapore and tourism apps in Sweden, Ionata’s work spans industries and geographies – always with a commitment to outcomes that matter.
More information: https://ionata.com.au/
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