It has been more than 40 years since anyone has spotted a Japanese river otter. And the once common Yangtze River dolphins have either disappeared or are very rarely seen. These are just a few of the species that have been listed as extinct or locally extinct in recent years. But the advancement of technology could mean that the expunction of other species is not a given.
A huge challenge scientists and conservationists encounter is tracking species facing extinction in order to help them. This is where artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about a revolution in the way data on these species is collected and analyzed. One example is the Maui dolphin, one of the rarest and most threatened dolphins in the ocean. Familiar with their summer. Behavior, researchers knew that there were just 54 of these elusive mammals living off the coast of New Zealand. However, because of weather conditions, researchers knew next to nothing about their winter behavior. After four years of developing, testing and fundraising, these scientists received permission to use a drone (无人机) with AI that tracked the dolphins no matter the season. The result was the extension of a marine sanctuary to protect their habitat.
In parts of Australia, the koala was declared endangered in 2022 due to bushfires, habitat destruction and road accidents. Saving them was challenging because their whereabouts and numbers were relatively unknown. So Grant Hamilton, an associate professor of eco logy at Queensland University of Technology, began using drones with infrared imaging to locate them. An AI algorithm analyzes images to determine if a sighting is a koala. That information is then used to monitor and protect the species by restoring their habitats and providing health protection.
In Zambia’s Kafue National Park, home to 15 more than 6,000 elephants, AI is being used to enhance traditional methods of preventing poaching. Cameras record any boats that try to enter the park on Lake Itezhi-Tezhi, an illegal entry point. Al immediately detects this activity and alerts park rangers, who deal with the illegal hunters.
The use of Al has helped to expedite action and increase conservationists’ ability to protect the natural world for generations to come.
【小题1】What does the underlined worlds “a given” in paragraph 1 mean?| A．A serious problem. | B．A rare phenomenon. | C．A certain event. | D．A false inference. |
| A．To observe Maui dolphins’ winter behavior. |
| B．To get the exact number of Maui dolphins in the wild. |
| C．To demonstrate the current situation of Maui dolphins. |
| D．To show AI’s application in tracking the wild animals. |
| A．Identifying koalas. | B．Tracking koalas. | C．Collecting data. | D．Preventing hunting. |
| A．Saving Nature with Technology’s Help | B．Restoring the Habitats of Endangered Species |
| C．Providing Healthy Protection for Animals | D．Protecting Wild Species from Extinction |
