A stranded orphaned orca calf near Vancouver Island might find its pod with the aid of AI technology if it can leave its current lagoon.
Main Points:
- Bay Cetology is using an AI-assisted photo database to identify and track the calf’s pod, encouraging local photographers and tour operators to contribute sightings.
- The AI technology, Finwave, boasts over 90% accuracy in identifying individual killer whales by their dorsal fins and is part of a larger shift towards AI in wildlife research.
- Despite various efforts to coax the calf back to the ocean, it remains in the lagoon. The community, including the Ehattesaht First Nation, remains hopeful but is prepared for any outcome.
Summary:
The plight of an orphaned orca calf stranded in a lagoon off the coast of Vancouver Island has captivated the hearts of Canadians and drawn the attention of researchers and Indigenous communities alike. The calf, separated from its pod after its mother died, has sparked a unique rescue effort involving the latest in artificial intelligence. Bay Cetology, a B.C.-based whale research group, is leveraging an AI-assisted photo database, Finwave, to help identify and track the calf’s pod. This technology, which analyzes photos for unique dorsal fin patterns, represents a modern evolution of marine mammal research.
Despite the advanced technology and community efforts, including using Indigenous drum beats and recorded whale calls, the calf remains trapped in the lagoon, unable to navigate past a sandbar to the open sea. The situation is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by marine life in a changing world. As the community waits for a higher tide and continues its efforts, the story of the orphaned calf, named kwiisahi?is or “Brave Little Hunter” by the local Ehattesaht First Nation, underscores the importance of innovation and collaboration in wildlife conservation. The ongoing rescue attempt not only highlights the potential of AI in environmental efforts but also the deep connection between Indigenous communities and the natural world, reflecting a shared hope for the calf’s safe reunion with its family.
Source: Rescuers hope AI will help reunite orphaned orca calf with pod
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