Invention:
This invention is a mobile app to identify lemurs through facial recognition as an effective census tool.
Background:
Current methods of determining the life history and population of animals usually involves live capture of animals and tagging for future mark-recapture studies. Lemurs have particularly distinctive faces and color patterns, making them an ideal species to track individuals as they enter and leave a population. Because it is estimated that wild lemurs could be wiped out within the next 25 years, there is a need for better research tools to help conserve not only their species, but many other species as well.
Applications:
- Animal conservation
- Pet industry
- Recovery of lost pets
- Livestock management
Advantages:
- Non-invasive
- Portable via smartphone
- Ease and speed of use
- Reduces resources involved in observation
