The National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme (NHMP) has commenced its three-year pilot.
Devised by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and People’s Trust for Endangered Species, in partnership with several universities and largely financed by Natural England, the NHMP employs advanced artificial intelligence to estimate hedgehog numbers in Britain.
Trail cameras across UK habitats will capture hedgehog images which will be categorised by home-based volunteers, providing data regarding population numbers. These insights will help to implement practical measures to combat population decline.
Dr Henrietta Pringle, National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme Coordinator at People’s Trust for Endangered Species explains: “For the first time in the history of hedgehog conservation we’re using AI to open up new opportunities, which is extremely exciting."
Fay Vass, CEO of The British Hedgehog Preservation Society adds: “Everyone loves hedgehogs, but we recognise that not everyone is in a position to help them in the wild. Becoming a ‘spotter’ for the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme is a fantastic way for everyone to get involved."
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