Waikato University students tackle predator problem for Fieldays showcase

Students at the University of Waikato have come up with a novel way to combat predator problems in New Zealand’s native bush.

Three computer science students have created image recognition software to analyse small predator movements in New Zealand’s native bush. The software was developed for the Microsoft Imagine Cup competition and will be on show at the university’s exhibit site at Fieldays. Waikato University is a strategic partner of Fieldays, which will be held on June 15-18.

“One big problem we have here is the threat to native species from introduced predators. So we had the idea of using image recognition software to help track the movements of small predators,” says Jess Champion, who’s in her final year of a Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences. “The more we can learn about predator behaviour, the better able we are to protect New Zealand’s biodiversity.”

With fellow students Michelle Clark and Michael Fowke, Ms Champion contacted the local Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust to find out more about the problem – and what they could do to help.

Working with the Trust, they’ve developed software that can ‘count’ the number of mouse tracks on the tracking cards used by conservationists in sanctuaries such as Maungatautari.

Tracking cards are inked cards that can be placed in strategic locations to monitor the activity of predators such as rodents. If a mouse crosses the card, it leaves ink tracks.

The device photographs the tracking card and is able to distinguish mouse tracks from other marks on the card, and record the number of tracks.

“We process approximately 4000 cards a month -- sometimes up to 4500,” says Rod Miller of the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust. “It takes one to three years to train people to read these cards consistently, so it’s quite a drain on resources.”

The software automates this process, minimising the delay between collecting and reading the cards, and allowing for quicker response when pests are detected.

“The computer extracts richer information from the footprints than the human eye,” explains Ms Champion. “This information can be used to predict populations and characteristics such as age of the mice, and means the pest control team can plan a more targeted response.”

Computer science lecturer Dr Angela Martin who supervised the project says it’s a great example of how University of Waikato students can combine creative thinking and technological knowhow to tackle a real-world problem. “We encourage our students to think outside the square, and the results speak for themselves.”

Champion, Clark and Fowke have demonstrated their software to potential users, and are looking to extend the software to other species to help protect New Zealand’s unique biodiversity.

The University of Waikato will showcase the software at the university’s exhibit site at Fieldays. This year the university has two sites at Fieldays – a site located in the Premier Feature area and an outdoor exhibit site. The Premier Feature stand will feature the university’s research and consultancy contributions to land-based industries while the outdoor exhibit site will showcase what Waikato has to offer potential students as well as host the university’s seminar series. Seminars are presented by leading researchers and industry representatives and will cover a range of topics from global animal health and soil testing to sustainability and bioplastics. All seminars are free and open to the public.