Southern Illinois University researchers are partnering with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to explore new ways of estimating deer populations, using a combination of field research and artificial intelligence.
The study focuses on white-tailed deer, a familiar sight across Southern Illinois and a species whose population levels can affect everything from agriculture to highway safety.
Leading the project is SIU doctoral student Seth Morelock, who is comparing three methods of measuring deer density: trail cameras, thermal imaging surveys conducted from vehicles, and drones. Researchers are evaluating each approach based on cost, accuracy and ease of deployment.
The project also brings together wildlife biologists and computer scientists. Two graduate students in SIU’s School of Computing have developed artificial intelligence models to analyze thousands of images collected during surveys.
One AI system estimates a deer’s distance from a trail camera, while another scans thermal images to detect and count deer. Researchers say the thermal imaging model identifies deer with about 98 percent accuracy.
The team plans to expand surveys to additional sites across Illinois and continue refining the technology. Ultimately, researchers hope the work will provide state wildlife managers with better tools to monitor deer populations and make informed management decisions.
Source: www.wsiu.org
