Smart gates that open for bettongs could help 'let the right ones in'

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-06-26 00:01

Australia; WA

Woylie (Bettongia ogilbyi) Observation © Tyler Anthony · some rights reserved https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

AI-backed smart gates that can recognise and open for endangered animals such as bettongs could help fenced conservation areas 'let the right ones in'. The researchers designed and built an AI-operated Smart Gate that allows brush-tailed bettongs (also known as woylies) through and keeps other species out. In field trials, out of 73 times when animals entered the system, the gates safely let 42 brush-tailed bettongs through and kept all other animals out. The researchers say the gates could help control predators while allowing wildlife to stay connected to the broader landscape.

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Journal/
conference: Wildlife Research

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Australian Wildlife Conservancy

Funder: Funding for the project was contributed by Australian Wildlife Conservancy supporters.

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