Australia develops AI technology to combat invasive fox populations

Australia is developing a new federal strategy to combat the invasive European red fox population using artificial intelligence and advanced monitoring technology. The draft national threat abatement plan aims to protect native wildlife from foxes, which occupy approximately 80 per cent of the country and are estimated to kill hundreds of millions of native animals annually.

Proposed technological solutions include AI-powered sentinel bait stations designed to distinguish between target predators and non-target species, image-recognition grooming traps, thermal cameras, and remotely monitored devices. Future iterations may utilize Bluetooth technology to prevent devices from activating near tagged domestic dogs, while mobile and satellite connections could allow for remote oversight by rangers.

While initial field tests of prototypes have shown promise, further testing is required before widespread implementation. The current fox population in Australia is estimated at approximately 1.7 million, with densities reaching up to 16 animals per square kilometre in certain temperate regions.