Los Angeles, November 15, 2024 —
In an inspiring technological breakthrough, AI-based devices are being deployed to protect India’s elephants from train collisions, a leading cause of elephant deaths in the region. Sangita Iyer, founder of Voices for Asian Elephants Society (VFAES), has spearheaded this innovative approach with the introduction of EleSense, an AI-powered alert system designed to detect and warn train conductors of nearby elephants, allowing conductors time to slow down and prevent tragic accidents. UnchainedTV’s Jane Velez-Mitchell and co-host Lindsey Baker interviewed Sangita Iyer to find out more, and you can watch their entire conversation here:
This game-changing technology is not only saving elephants but also transforming India’s conservation landscape. With hundreds of elephant deaths due to train accidents in recent years, the EleSense technology offers a practical and urgently needed solution, now being implemented across high-risk rail corridors in West Bengal, with 30 devices to be installed soon inside India’s famed Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary.
EleSense technology employs an intricate system of sensors capable of identifying the presence of elephants through thermal imaging, movement patterns, and even animal height identification. Once an elephant is detected on or near the tracks, the system sends an immediate alert to the railway and forest departments. The railway staff then notify train conductors via walkie-talkie, enabling them to slow down or stop the train if needed.
According to Iyer, EleSense devices, installed in 2023 alone, have helped prevent 627 train-elephant collisions. She says, “Last year, we installed 40 devices across certain areas where accidents take place more frequently. For those 40 devices, we ended up raising $80,000.”
The AI-based approach combines local expertise with cutting-edge innovation, highlighting a promising collaboration between indigenous technology developers and animal protectionists.
A Widespread Need for AI Solutions in Wildlife Protection
The Elephant Matrix series on UnchainedTV
The EleSense initiative not only showcases AI’s potential in wildlife conservation and animal welfare but also highlights the importance of protecting elephants, revered cultural icons in India and critical components of forest ecosystems. These gentle giants often traverse train tracks on their migratory paths, but the encroachment of human activity and expanding rail infrastructure pose increasing risks.
There are now plans to install additional devices. But, Iyer needs the public’s help in the form of donations:
“What we’re doing this year is installing 30 devices in a core elephant range called the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, and then, along with that, we’re also installing 30 EleSense devices inside the Buxa Tiger Reserve.”
Sangita Iyer is also the author of the Amazon bestseller, Gods in Shackles – What Elephants Can Teach Us About Empathy, Resilience, and Freedom. She also produced the series Elephant Matrix, streaming on UnchainedTV, and the documentary Gods in Shackles.
A Model for Global Conservation
As EleSense technology gains recognition, the potential for similar AI-driven initiatives to protect other wildlife species worldwide is significant. Iyer would love to adapt this technology to safeguard Africa’s elephants, as well as other large wild animals at risk of human conflict anywhere in the world. This collaborative conservation model, grounded in AI and community support, represents a scalable solution for protecting wildlife everywhere. She explains more:
“This is absolutely transferable to any location, not just to save elephants, but to save all wildlife. Can you imagine if we had something like this that could alert us? It’s just that they need to be installed at certain levels and all the computer programming needs to be changed for specific animals. For instance, if it is a cougar, a fox, or a tiger, we have different modules for that.”
The EleSense project, funded by donations, underscores how public support can have a tangible impact on wildlife protection. As Iyer explains, every contribution directly supports the purchase and deployment of these life-saving devices. Her organization invites donations through VFAES.org, empowering individuals to participate in meaningful conservation efforts that can potentially expand to other regions and species.
Deploying Practical Solutions to a Host of Wildlife Challenges
Sangita Iyer’s mission has extended beyond deploying EleSense devices. Through VFAES, she advocates for broader measures. For example, she is working toward establishing wildlife corridors by purchasing land to facilitate safe passage for elephant herds, thus reducing human-wildlife conflict and inbreeding. She is also working on the re-wilding of degraded habitats to ensure long-term survival for elephants. And, she is raising funds to install sophisticated robotic elephants to be used in place of real elephants in religious ceremonies.
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