AI Cameras Could Help Protect Koalas on Australian Roads

SNN – A new AI-powered camera system is being tested in Australia’s Queensland state to detect koalas crossing roads, particularly at night when they are difficult to see.

The technology is designed to work with smart road signs, which would automatically alert drivers in real time when a koala is nearby, helping reduce the risk of vehicle collisions.

Scientists from Griffith University developed the system after years of research into koala movement and road behavior. A prototype has already successfully recorded a koala crossing a road, marking an important step in validating the technology.

Koalas are considered endangered in parts of Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory. Their populations have declined due to deforestation, urban expansion, disease, and bushfires, including the devastating 2019–2020 fires.

As natural habitats become fragmented, koalas are increasingly forced to cross roads to move between areas. This has made vehicle strikes one of the leading causes of death, with data showing that more than half of recorded koala deaths in some regions were linked to car accidents.

Researchers say traditional measures such as fencing and wildlife crossings have had limited success, partly because there is still a lack of understanding about how koalas interact with such infrastructure.

The AI system works by using cameras equipped with motion sensors to capture video footage. The footage is then analyzed using trained models that can identify koalas and other wildlife species. The system has been trained using thousands of images and videos collected from wildlife parks and community monitoring efforts.

So far, cameras have been deployed in more than 40 locations across southeastern Queensland. However, researchers are still working to improve the system, including extending recording time and refining power efficiency.

The long-term goal is to connect the cameras directly to road signs, allowing instant warnings to drivers when a koala is detected crossing nearby.

Researchers say the approach focuses on encouraging drivers to slow down and remain alert, rather than trying to completely prevent animals from accessing roads.

Experts believe that if successfully implemented, the technology could play a major role in reducing wildlife deaths and improving road safety, not only for koalas but for other species as well.