In brief
Exploring how AI and community collaboration are working to protect snow leopards in Pakistan.
In the rugged mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan, snow leopards roam, but their survival hangs in the balance. Once numbering upwards of 10,000, this majestic species has seen a staggering decline, with only about 4,000 to 6,000 remaining worldwide. Each year, 221 to 450 leopards are killed, mostly due to conflicts with farmers trying to protect their livestock. Enter a new project by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), which hopes to change this grim scenario using AI-powered cameras.These high-tech cameras, powered by solar energy, are set up in snow leopard habitats to detect their presence. When a snow leopard is identified, alerts are sent to local farmers via text, notifying them to move their livestock to safety. Over three years, the AI technology has been honed to distinguish between leopards, humans, and other animals, proving to be effective, albeit not flawless.However, implementing this project has not been without challenges. Hesitancy among local communities has manifested in unsanctioned cuts to camera wires and distrust regarding the project’s benefits. Despite the initial skepticism, gradually, some residents have recognized the ecological role of snow leopards in controlling prey populations, which ultimately helps sustain the local agricultural landscape.The WWF is aware that technology alone won’t revive this species. Alongside the AI initiative, they are exploring various innovative deterrents—such as sounds, lights, and smells—to keep leopards at bay and preserve their habitat. As conservationists track these elusive "ghosts of the mountains," the hope remains that combining modern technology with community support will lead to a brighter future for snow leopards.
