Scientists use AI to save red kangaroos from foxes
Protecting one of Australia’s most loved and unique species before it is hunted to extinction by foxes can be done with the help of AI predictions of how predators will behave, researchers say
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Scientists are using artificial intelligence (AI) to figure out which Australian animals could become extinct at the hands of introduced predators.
AI has found native animals such as the red kangaroo are at risk of becoming critically endangered or even extinct if introduced species such as foxes grow in population.
While an adult red kangaroo is much larger than a fox, baby kangaroos, or joeys, are easier to catch because of their smaller size.
If lots of joeys get eaten by foxes, the whole red kangaroo population could get smaller in size and reach the brink of extinction.
Researchers at Flinders University’s Global Ecology Laboratory found machine learning can predict who eats who.
One of these researchers, Dr John Llewelyn, said the planet is facing “an environmental crisis” because “climate change, invasive species, habitat loss, and other human-related activities” are sending many species into extinction.
He said foxes and other introduced predators like cats could also cause the extinction of native animals that had not needed to protect themselves from these animals in the past, before they were introduced to Australia.
Understanding which animals are eating native species could help scientists protect these animals before it’s too late.
HOW DOES THE AI STUDY WORK?
The AI used the traits or characteristics of different species to predict who was eating who. They studied both birds and mammals. Dr Llewelyn said the study gave them information on which animal species were at risk of extinction.
WHY WERE FOXES INTRODUCED TO AUSTRALIA?
Red foxes were introduced to Australia by European settlers in the mid 1800s. They were released into the wild for the purpose of hunting, which was a popular activity at the time.
They soon reproduced and their population grew. They became known as a pest across most of Australia because there were so many of them and they were hunting and killing native Australian animals.
WHY RED KANGAROOS ARE AT RISK OF EXTINCTION
According to animal experts, the red fox hunts young kangaroos (joeys) because they are easier to kill than fully-grown adults. Even though kangaroos are good at protecting themselves from predators, they quickly get tired during a chase, while foxes can run at a top speed for longer, in order to catch their prey.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- artificial intelligence: the ability for a computer to think and learn
- predator: an animal that hunts and eats another animal for food
- prey: an animal that is hunted and eaten by a predator
- introduced species: animals or plants that aren’t native to Australia and were brought to Australia by humans
- population: a group of animals or people
- reproduce: when animals grow their population by making babies
- invasive species: a non-native animal or plant that affects the way native species live with one another
- environmental crisis: a difficult or dangerous time for the environment
- habitat: where an animal lives in nature
- extinction: when an entire species of animal or plant dies and there are no more left on earth
EXTRA READING
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QUICK QUIZ
1. What does AI stand for?
2. Why are Red Kangaroos at risk of extinction?
3. When were foxes introduced to Australia?
4. Why were foxes introduced to Australia?
5. How can understanding which introduced animals are eating native animals help to prevent extinction?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Convince the researchers
Can you think of another native animal that you think is in danger of becoming extinct? Write a letter to the researchers at the Global Ecology Laboratory. The purpose of your letter is to convince them why they should focus their research on the animal you have chosen.
Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Geography, Science
2. Extension
Is AI smarter than people? Use your research skills to find out how AI works. Use the information that you have found to write a paragraph explaining your answer to this question.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Information Technologies, Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
To sum it up
After reading the article, use your comprehension skills to summarise in a maximum of three sentences what the article is about.
Think about:
What is the main topic or idea?
What is an important or interesting fact?
Who was involved (people or places)?
Use your VCOP skills to re-read your summary to make sure it is clear, specific and well punctuated.