Nine mouse footprints captures on the field tunnel. (Linette Diederiks/Supplied).
Tracking the footprints of small mammals can reveal valuable information about changes in their environment, and a group of researchers are working together to develop a specific technology in South Africa to do this.
WildTrack is a nonprofit that uses AI, data analytics and field knowledge to safeguard threatened species. Its founders Zoë Jewell and Sky Alibhai from the US, teamed up with South African scientists Nico Avenant – head of the Mammalogy Department at the National Museum in Bloemfontein, Duncan MacFadyen – head of research and conservation at Oppenheimer Generations, and Marietjie Oosthuizen of the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria.
The team is trialing the footprint identification technology for small mammals. It has already been proven for large animals.
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