Trunk-to-Track Safety: AI Saves Elephants

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Artificial Intelligence technology is saving lives of elephants in Coimbatore. At least eleven jumbos were killed hit by speeding trains over the last nine years while they crossed railway tracks in this forest area, in the Madukkarai region.

Now AI powered thermal cameras mounted on a dozen towers along the tracks instantly alert the control room with beep sounds, who can in real time watch the elephants approaching and inform loco pilots of approaching trains and local patrol teams on the ground. This intervention ensures elephants would have a safe passage.

Not a single elephant has been killed over the last one year.The system has ensured 2500 safe elephant crossings. “This system generates advance alerts which are passed on to local drivers who are able to estimate the exact location of these elephants. The track teams are also able to reach the track and make sure the elephants are able to cross”.

Integral part of this system is the youth from the local tribal community with sound knowledge of the terrain and elephant movement. They have been roped in to administer the control room and for on the ground patrolling as well.

In another AI based innovation, BGENT a start-up based in Tamil Nadu’s Vellore district co-founded by PG Ragavandir and V Ganapathy too had recently developed a system that triggers synchronised alarm to scare wild animals including elephants entering human inhabited areas in forests to retreat besides alerting local communities about the animal intruder, averting man – animal conflict.

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