The ‘WildSeek’ Project:
Brings together community environment groups and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Wildlife – it is a partnership project, between NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Landcare Australia the EGCMN.
Wildseek brings our collective expertise, knowledge, and network reach, to co-create and support a National Conservation AI Network of Community Hubs for the conservation and rescue response of native species. Specifically, in the first instance, Koalas but expanding to other species in time.
Together local partners, staff and volunteers are using the data captured at the Hubs and analysed by QUT to make informed decisions regarding advocacy, protection and management of koalas, other wildlife and their habitat.
EGCMN are in the process of establishing the East Gippsland community hub, as part of this national initiative, which will see us using remotely operated aircraft (drones) equipped with thermal imaging cameras to detect and document Koalas in the fire affected forests of East Gippsland.
We have completed the appropriate training, have three pilots accredited and all the accreditations including insurance to undertake this important work.
We will be out their looking for and gathering Koala data over the coming years and are also able to offer our services using this amazing equipment.
If you have a need for thermal imaging of wildlife with a conservation outcome in mind, please get in touch.
More info about the broader Wildseek program can be found here
