Conservationists turn to AI in battle to save red squirrels

Grey squirrels are largely responsible for the huge decline in the numbers of red squirrels.

This is partly because there are so many of them, and also because they can carry a virus which they have immunity to but is lethal to red squirrels. They arrived in the UK around 200 years ago.

“Red squirrels are hanging on in Scotland and Ireland, and there are some island populations like Anglesey and the Isle of Wight", explained Mr Glendinning.

"But mainland England and Wales is in dire straits, and they will become extinct if we are unable to reverse this trend."

Efforts to preserve red squirrels are further complicated by the fact that, despite their name, not all red squirrels are red.

There are other markers including their tails, ears, size and weight which can also distinguish them from grey squirrels – the vastly dominant population - even if they are the same colour.

The detection process is time-consuming for human observers - but Squirrel Agent uses the power of AI to rapidly analyse all those markers and decide with an extremely high level of accuracy which is which.

It can then automatically decide whether to boost their survival chances by allowing them extra food - or reduce their likelihood of reproducing by steering them towards contraceptives.