Unleashing the impact of computer vision in zoo management: Enhancing animal welfare through behavior analysis

Supporting wildlife conservation, zoos help maintain a biodiverse environment for wild animals. It is meant to comprehensively help save their interests and provide an in-depth understanding of daily routine, behaviours and so forth. The traditional ways of monitoring animals within zoo enclosures are outdated as they used to come with a lot of challenges. Among these challenges were labour intensiveness and human errors. The wildlife spaces are spread to large areas where there are a wide range of species, having their own unique needs, and managing daily operations can be challenging. Zoos and wildlife parks needed a more precise method to track their status. Here vision AI comes into play. 

AI-powered computer vision enables zoo authorities, researchers and animal behaviourists to acquire valuable insights into animal behaviour and their social interactions.  

In this blog post, we are going to elaborate on how computer vision powered by AI is becoming a valuable tool in animal care and zoo management. As per the latest record, it has been estimated that the global market for AI in animal health is going to reach $8.23 billion by the end of 2034. 

What is the significance of monitoring animals in zoo enclosures?

Traditionally, one can consider a zookeeper watching over an injured animal, howith computer vision assist in monitoring animals in real-time. It can detect early signs of injury, stress, and others. Several AI models such as Ultralytics YOLO11 are effective in supporting different computer vision tasks, detecting animals, and helping with daily routine tasks. 

What are the challenges with traditional monitoring systems?

Contrary to monitoring animals in zoo enclosures by human caretakers, vision AI can track and document animal movements in real time. The traditional approach has its limitations. It comes with the difficulty of capturing precise data on animal behaviour.             

The role of computer vision in zoos

Computer vision equipped with advanced machine learning algorithms provides an innovative way for monitoring animals in zoo enclosures. Providing robust solutions for real-time data collection, Computer vision for animal behaviour analysis automates several operations inside a zoo facility. Zoos are capable of enhancing animal welfare, contributing to scientific research and optimising habitat design by collecting detailed behavioural data. 

The precision of computer vision technology helps in eradicating human error and allows data-driven decision-making depending on objective insights. With the implementation of Vision AI, zoo and wildlife facilities can manage daily operations effectively. 

AI-enabled monitoring of endangered species

Endangered and vulnerable species always remain a major focus of conservation efforts. Keeping track of animals in real-time, zoo keepers and researchers can stay updated with the latest status of the animals. The facial recognition technology enables researchers to continuously monitor animals, and watch their movements, and health. The real-time data enables prompt interventions during any scrupulous interventions. 

Effective data analysis

As the leading Vision AI development company, Nextbrain focuses on how AI in animal monitoring is bringing revolutionary changes. The interactive interface and powerful analytics tool allow zoo facility managers, researchers and scientists to gather valuable insights from the gathered data. 

Conservation and research

Harnessing computer vision abilities and algorithms, facilities can contribute to a wider aspect of conservation strategies. The insights gathered from real-time monitoring of animal behaviour help to improve conservation strategies, enhance scientific understanding and contribute to species management. 

Animal tracking with computer vision: Monitoring aquatic animals

Object tracking is one of the advanced technologies where it enables computer vision techniques for identifying aquatic animals. By means of tracking these patterns, zoo caretakers are capable of gaining insights into how dolphins utilize their space, converse with each other and respond to environmental changes.  

Developers have designed a system leveraging computer vision to track the movement of aquatic animals throughout the enclosure. Using AI algorithms and smart zoo monitoring systems, authorities can comprehend behavioural patterns such as swimming, interacting and many more. 

Generation of heatmaps for in-depth analysis

With Nextbrain’s computer vision technology, the data can be transformed into informative heatmaps that display the duration of time the wild animals spend in different areas. It provides insights into the various preferred locations and behavioural patterns over a certain period.

Across protected environments such as zoos and wildlife-protected facilities, several wildlife facilities may remain at the brim of health risk. It is important to monitor them closely. The implementation of facial recognition technology enables zoo facilities to continuously keep track of wild animals, and monitor their feeding habits, and health without causing any harm and disturbance.  It administers a seamless way of gathering accurate, real-time information and making the monitoring process more effective. 

How is Nextbrain’s computer vision technology a wise option?

Computer vision is used in a variety of animal care settings right from zoos to veterinary clinics. Nextbrain’s Vision AI helps in improving monitoring of animals in facilities and enhances overall welfare. We have curated multiple ways of improving animal care and comprehensive diagnosis.

Lowered labor load

The automation of routine monitoring tasks enables animal care teams to focus on hands-on well-being experiences and medical care.  

Enclosure use analysis

Behaviour tracking and heatmaps help in displaying the various areas that enclosure animals either prefer or avoid. It assists zookeepers in staying updated with behavioural patterns, habitat design and enrichment planning.

Remote collaboration

The real-time data can be shared with off-site vets allowing collaborative care and faster diagnosis. Computer vision can benefit animal welfare and zoo facilities without disturbing the animals.

Improved night-time monitoring

Low-light vision systems enable staff to monitor animals after hours and remain aware of the nocturnal activity. 

Final thoughts

With the power of harnessing machine learning algorithms and real-time data analysis, zoos can acquire valuable insights into animal behaviour, enrichment programs and improve habitat design. Computer vision is rapidly changing the way animal welfare facilities look after animals in zoos. Keeping track of individual animals is considered a reliable tool to help human caregivers do their jobs effectively.  

With Nextbrain’s AI Video analytics software, we have embarked on a new era of animal monitoring where advanced technologies and a deep understanding of animal behaviour intersect. As integrated with smart enclosures and wearable sensors, computer vision systems have become a part of a connected system. It enables caretakers to have deeper insights into animal behaviour.

Are you ready to restart your computer vision projects? Explore more on AI in healthcare and computer vision with us. Get in touch with our professionals.