Could AI text alerts help save snow leopards from extinction?

Snow leopard populations are declining, partly due to retaliatory killings after livestock losses. To combat this, the WWF and LUMS have developed AI-powered cameras in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region that detect snow leopards and alert villagers via text, enabling them to protect their livestock.

The cameras, deployed in remote areas, have faced challenges including technological issues, community skepticism, and cultural considerations. While some villagers are doubtful about the technology's effectiveness due to poor cell service and past livestock losses, others recognize the importance of snow leopards for the ecosystem.

Alongside the cameras, the WWF plans to trial deterrents like smells, sounds, and lights to keep snow leopards away from villages, acknowledging that technology alone isn't a complete solution.